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5
The Minister's revised model Underground Rooms Regulations are. at the
time of writing, under consideration.
Over the whole field of housing one of the most difficult problems with
which the Department continues to be faced is that of the house in multiple
occupation. These houses are usually of the larger type, and the majority are
let off in one, two or more furnished room units. The rents paid are high,
there is frequently serious overcrowding as well as lack of essential services
for the number of units in occupation Action under Section 36 (Power to
require execution of works or the reduction of number of occupants of a house)
and under Section 90 (Overcrowding in houses let in lodgings) usually
results in eviction of one or more family units. who perforce are obliged
to take any accommodation available, which is frequently of a lower standard
than that which they have vacated. With the present overall housing
shortage, it is difficult to visualise an early solution to this serious
social question.
Atmospheric pollution. The phased programme of smoke control areas approved
by the Council in June 1959 is, so far, up to date There was some delay in
receiving the Minister's confirmation of the Hackney No. 3 Smoke Control Order
which covers a large area in the South-East part of the Borough. This Order
will, however, become operative on November 1st, 1961. one month later than the
date originally visualised. As a result of the three Orders made, some 1,047
of the total Borough acreage of 3 287 will become smoke controlled from the 1st
November this year.
Public Health Inspection Staff. The establishment of Public Health Inspectors
comprises the Chief Public Health Inspector, the Senior Housing Inspector, the
Senior District Inspector, two Food Inspectors, a Clean Air and Factories
Inspector and 14 District Inspectors Of the 14 District Inspectors, two are
at any given time seconded for work whole time in the Clean Air Section of
the Department. At the beginning of the year there were vacancies for two
District Inspectors. In the course of the year three Inspectors left to take
up appointments with other authorities and five new appointments were made; at
the end of the year the establishment was full. The system of paid pupillage
introduced in 1955 continued to operate, and three of the six Pupils on the
establishment at the beginning of the year completed their course of training
and were successful at the first attempt in obtaining the Public Health
Inspectors Certificate - all three were appointed to the permanent staff of the
Department. Under the New Scheme of Training for Public Health Inspectors,
this Authority1 s establishment of Pupils will be reduced to five.
Welfare of Aged Persons During the year under review the Council agreed in
principle to a scheme for the provision of a Holiday Hotel for aged and other
handicapped persons Early in the current year the purchase of a property
known as "Chalfonts" in an excellent position in the Sussex coastal town of
Bognor Regis was completed. The Hotel, which has accommodation for 20 guests,
opened on April 17th, 1961 and up to the time of writing some 394 persons,
mainly old age pensioners, have had the benefit of a week's holiday there
I am of opinion that this venture goes some way towards filling a very real and
long wanted need, and the Council are to be congratulated on their enterprise
in establishing this greatly appreciated social service.
Another landmark in the field of welfare for aged persons was the opening
in April 1961 by the Hackney Association for Workshops for the Elderly of a
second Workshop in Ellingfort Road It will be remembered that the decision
to provide this ad hoc building was taken in 1959. This new Workshop provides
for up to 150 retired men and women working shifts of two hours.
New Legislation Among the Acts receiving the Royal Assent during the year,
and affecting the work of the Public Health Department were:-