View report page

73
Where, because of defective fittings, the Water Board have withdrawn a
water supply from premises used for human habitation or where persons are
employed the Council are empowered by Section 23, after giving notice to the
owner of their intention to do so, to execute such works as may be necessary to
secure that the supply of water to the building is restored and to recover the
expenses reasonably incurred in so doing.
Section 25 applies to Inner London Boroughs Section 26 of the Public
Health Act, 1961 (which relates to the remedying of defective premises). Where
a house is defective and unreasonable delay would be occasioned by following
the procedure laid down for securing the abatement of nuisances, the Council
may serve on the owner notice of intention to carry out the work themselves
unless the owner, within seven days of the service of the notice, serves a
counter notice on the Council that he is prepared to execute the works himself.
If no such counter notice is received, the Council may, after the expiration
of nine days from the service of the notice, enter the premises, execute the
necessary works and recover the expenses incurred in so doing.
There are provisions for the Court, in any proceedings for the recovery
of expenses, to enquire as to the reasonableness of the service of the notice
and of the works required and to make such apportionment as to the payment of
the expenses as the Court think fit.
ANIMALS
The Council has various responsibilities under Acts relating to the protection
and diseases of animals and arrangements have been made for the Corporation
of the City of London, who employ a Veterinary Officer and inspectors, to undertake
the duties in respect of these Acts on an agency basis, except in the case
of the Pet Animals Act, 1951, which this Department administers direct.
The action taken under two of the five main Acts dealing with animals is
given below: -
Diseases of Animals Act, 1950: The Corporation of the City of London
inspectors make routine visits to butchers and poulturers but no infringements
of the regulations were reported.
Pet Animals Act, 1951: One new license was issued and licenses were renewed
in respect of 15 premises. Regular visits were made to the premises
licensed and conditions were reported as satisfactory.
No action was called for under the Riding Establishments Act, 1964,
Performing Animals (Regulations) Act, 1925 or Animal Boarding Establishments
Act, 1963.
RODENTS
There are 13 rodent operatives working under the overall supervision of
the Public Health Inspectorate. Their work can briefly be divided into three;
1. Treating all sewers in accordance with the recommendations of the
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Pood.
2. Destroying breeding grounds and in particular the sealing of disused
drains.
3. Dealing with surface infestations.
Details of work done under the provisions of the Prevention of Damage by
Pests Act 1949 are set out overleaf.