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Complaints continue to be received of nuisance caused by pigeons. The
Public Health Act. 1961 new gives a local authority power "to take steps for the
purpose of abating or mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or damage caused by
the congregation in any built-up area of house doves or pigeons or of starlings
or sparrows'. The seizure and destruction of any birds must be carried out
humanely and any action taken must not contravene the Protection of Birds Act,
1954. Action taken at 29 sites in the Borough resulted in the destruction of 620
pigeons, but while food is liberally provided by the public, there is little
prospect of keeping the numbers down.
EXCHANGE OP ARTICLES FOR RAGS Under the Public Health Act, 1961, it is
an offence for any Reason who collects or deals in rags, etc. to sell or deliver
whether gratuitously or not any article whatsoever to a child under the age of
14 years in exchange for rags,, etc. The Police notify the Council of any such
contraventions coming to their notice,
CLEAN AIR. During the year the Public Health Inspectors made 34 smoke
observations and paid many visits to premises in regard to which complaints
of smoke nuisance had been received. Three notices were served under Section
30 of the Clean Air Act, 1956.
The Council continues to co operate with the Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research by measuring atmospheric pollution in the Borough and
forwarding monthly returns.
The monthly average, highest daily reading and lowest daily reading are
shown in the table on page 17. The point to be noted is the wide range of pollution
that can occur. To date the indications are that these wide variations
are linked to meteorological conditions.
Work continued on the Council s programme of Smoke Control Orders and
progress to 31st December, 1964 is shown in the table.
See table on Page 18
Enquiries continue to be received about the burning of garden rubbish in
Smoke Control Areas, The position is that smoke or smell from bonfires, if a
nuisance to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood is a statutory nuisance liable
to be dealt with under the Public Health Acts whether or not the bonfire is in
a Smoke Control Area, It follows that care should be taken never to light a
bonfire when conditions are such that the smoke may cause nuisance to occupants
of adjoining properties. Materials should be dried before burning so that the
bonfire burns briskly rather than smouldering for prolonged periods. Wherever
possible garden rubbish should be disposed of by composting.
TENTS,, VANS AND CARAVANS There are six sites in the Borough which have
been used as caravan sites for many years. Some are occupied wholly or in part
by persons who use caravans for business in connection with a travelling circus,
fair or stall. Seven other sites are occupied by one or more caravans. During
the year, the inspectors made 154 visits of inspection because of the occupation
of land by caravans.
Trespass by caravans on road verges and unfenced land continues especially
on the western outskirts of the Borough. The vagrant type who occupy these
caravans deposit domestic refuse, litter of all kinds, waste water and faecal
matter in the neighbourhood of the sites occupied. Much time and effort have
been given in attempts to clear them from their usual camping sites, but only too
often within 24 hours they are back again.
Under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960, two site
licences were issued for a limited period and another was renewed.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES- There is no common lodging house in the Borough.
CANAL BOATS. The Public Health Inspectors continued their duties as canal
boat inspectors, and made 18 inspections during the year.
FACTORIES, WORK PLACES, ETC. The Factories Act placed on the Council
certain duties in regard to (a) outworkers (b) employment of persons in unwholesome
premises (c) basement bakehouses (d) provision of sanitary conveniences
in all factories and (e) cleanliness, over-crowding, ventilation and
drainage of floors in the case of factories in which mechanical power is not
used. A summary of the work done is given on page 19 and in Table IX.
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