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77
The Council resolved not to apply for Suspension Orders and considered
every effort should be made to avoid relaxation of smoke control in areas of
high density; other less densely populated areas might well be able to relax
control in the knowledge that no serious level of pollution would result.
A comparatively mild winter meant that the situation regarding solid
smokeless fuel supplies in the Borough did not reach crisis point, but in a few
isolated instances informal permission was given to burn bituminous coal where
it was considered that hardship would otherwise result.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTS
During the year two hundred and six Drainage plans were submitted and each
one was examined and necessary amendments made before approval was given.
Pour Notices under the Public Health (Recurring Nuisances) Act, 1969 were
served during the latter part of the year.
CLEANSING, DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
A total of 162 adults and 89 children under five years were treated for
scabies and 25 adults and 47 children under five years of age treated for vermin
at the Shoreditch Health Centre. Normally two treatments are required to clear
a case of scabies and one for vermin.
Arrangements have also been made with other authorities for the treatment
at the bathing centre of residents in their areas.
The Department is also responsible for the disinfestation of verminous
rooms and articles and a total of 912 rooms and 1,188 articles were treated.
Certain foreign countries prohibit the importation of second-hand clothing
unless a certificate that the articles have been disinfected can be produced.
A charge is made to private firms wishing to have second-hand clothing disinfected
for this purpose.
OFFENSIVE BUSINESS
Fur skin dressing is the only offensive business in the Borough and at the
beginning of the year was in operation at four premises.
In one instance renewal of the consent to establishment had been granted
the previous year, on the owner giving a firm undertaking that the premises
would be brought up to the standard required by the by-laws within the following
four months. This was not done and legal proceedings resulted in a fine of £12
with £5 costs.
Despite the advice and assistance given to the applicant the work was still not
carried out, and in June the Health Committee refused an application for
renewal of the consent for the succeeding year.
Notice of appeal against the Council's decision was lodged, but was
subsequently withdrawn.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are none in the Borough.
MORTUARY
The Council's mortuary adjoins the churchyard of the Parish Church of St.
John-at-Hackney and provides refrigerated accommodation for 15 bodies.