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CLEAN AIR ACT,1956. (Cont.).
The Ministry replied inviting the Town Council to reconsider
their decision as they understood from the Ministry of Fuel and
Power that supplies of suitable quality open fire solid smokeless
fuel should be available to meet the local smoke con??? needs
although some reliance might have to be placed on open fire gas coke
as there was no guarantee that particular types of fuel would always
be available to householders who preferred them.
After consideration of this letter the following resolution
was passed
(i) That having given due consideration to the reply from
the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the
Committee recommend that the Town Council adhere to
their previous decision not to create any smoke control
areas in the Borough at present, but that a further
report be submitted by the officers in twelve months'time;
(ii) That the Minister of Housing and Local Government be
informed that in the opinion of the Town Council it
would be much more satisfactory to the local authority
and householders seeking grants towards the cost of installing
smokeless heating appliances if a simple procedure,
similar to that appertaining to improvement grants under
the Housing (Financial Provisions)Act, 1958, could be
substituted for the existing cumbersome procedure for
grant applications under the Clean Air Act, 1956.
MOVEABLE POLLINGS.
During the year thirty licences to station and use moveable
dwellings (caravans) were granted under section 269, Public Health
Act, 1936, and one site licence under the Caravan Sites and Control
of Development Act, 1960, which came into effect on 29th August,
1960.
By the end of the year the permanent sites had been
to:-
1. The Riverhill Estate the lease of which is held by a
local Sports Club and where 36 caravans are permitted.
2. One caravan in the orchard of a private house.
3. A temporary summer-house type of dwelling on a
large plot of land used only occasionally.
A great deal of trouble was caused by itinerant caravan
dwellers who suddenly became attracted by the open site at Tolworth
Broadway. They moved on and off with considerable frequency,
especially during the period of race meetings at Epsom.
Much annoyance was caused to shopkeepers and inhabitants of
the neighbourhood and it became necessary to apply to the
Magistrates for an Order under the Surrey County Council Act,
1931, requiring the removal of caravans and prohibiting further
stationing thereof.
This was fairly effective in dealing with the problem
though from time to time caravans appeared and had to be
ordered off.
A piece of vacant land in Roebuck Road although in an
area already subject to a Prohibition Order also brought
trouble from caravans and Court proceedings were necessary
to enforce compliance with the Order.