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105
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(S.R. Daly, LI.M., B.Sc., D.P.A.(Lond.)., Barrister-at-Law
Chief Public Health Inspector)
In my last report I mentioned that 1968 had been an unsettled year.
I made no forecast for 1969, but in fact the 'unsettled' has become more
pronounced. Local Government generally is being bombarded by Reports,
Green and White Papers, and under constant threat of amalgamation,
loss of responsibilities and demotion to Parish Council level. For
officers in long established departments, already only just recovering
from the London re-organisation this is like being in an endless storm
at sea, and one only hopes the squalls will die down soon, and a spell
of calmness ensue, when ones thoughts can be concentrated on the tasks
in hand.
However, I am happy to report that the full complement of Public
Health Inspectors continued during the year, and routine work has been
maintained at a satisfactory level.
Progress has been made with the slum clearance programme and
this will probably speed up in the years to come as various redevelopment
areas and road plans come to fruition.
I made mention last year of the vast amount of improvement work
required in the large number of quite sound but older houses, lacking
amenities within the borough. Action in areas on similar lines to Smoke
Control procedure is needed to ensure that all houses are brought up to
the necessary standard.
Clean Ait has continued to make steady progress, the only black
cloud in the sky at present is a statement by the Chairman of the National
Coal Board that there is likely to be a shortage of solid smokeless fuel.
At local level it is most difficult to understand this, as the vast majority
of conversions in Smoke Control areas are to fuels other than solid fuel.
The N.C.B. has had at least 14 years to put its house in order since the
passing of the 1956 Clean Air Act. With only one Smoke Control area to
be confirmed, this borough is well in the top half of the "Greater London
Clean Air League".