[Report 1955] / Medical Officer of Health, Lichfield City & County.

  • Lichfield (England). City & County Council.
Date:
1955
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1955] / Medical Officer of Health, Lichfield City & County. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    SANITARY INSPECTORS REPORT General Inspection of District Although the position in regard to labour and materials shows no appreciable improvement, more repair work was done during the past year than in any since 1939* It appears that rising costs are now almost accepted as an inevitable condition of the post-war period. During the year no fewer than 155 complaints were'dealt with. The majority of these were concerned with dampness caused by leaking roofs and defective eaves-guttering and rainwater pipes. Several reinspections in connection with repair work are usually necessary before notices are complied with. Of the 84 Intimations served during the year, 80 were complied with end only 4 Statutory Notices were required. HOUSING INSPECTIONS The preliminary survey of sub-standard houses to be dealt with during the next five years was completed. This instalment represents only a small proportion of old property in the City but it included as many houses as could be cleared during that period. The estimate was based on the probable number of new houses which are likely to be available for replacements. Few owners Eire interested in the provisions which have been made in the Housing Acts for giving financial aid in the structural improvement of occupied houses. Only occupier/owners seem disposed to avail themselves of the Grants which are payable in respect of added amenities. The tendency still seems to be to sell all houses ¥/hich become vacant. It appears, therefore, that the time will come when many houses now under private ownership will be either occupied by their owners or controlled by the Local Authority. The survey of old property is being continued so as to determine what proportion of those houses remaining would ha/ve a minimum life sufficient to justify structural improvements. Others will be repaired to keep them reasonably habitable until clearance procedure can be applied. Fnen it is realized that some houses in Clearance Areas confirmed in 1939 are still occupied, the need for stepping up the rate of re-housing becomes self-evident. Only one application was received for a Certificate of Disrepair under Section 26 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954* This application was granted. SMOKE ABATEMENT Recent publicity concerning atmospheric pollution in some of the larger centres of population has focused attention on the need for vigilance in all districts. At present the degree of pollution from industrial processes in the City is relatively sma.ll, but with the prospect of expansion there is a growing need for preventive measures. Apart from the cumulative effects of heavy pollution canned by some industrial installations, there is the question of nuisance which invariably arises when factories are in close proximity to dwelling-houses. During the year 28 observations were made on boiler chimneys in the district. Smoke in such quantities as to be a nuisance, within the meaning of the Public Health Act, was noticed in 8 cases. The proprietors were notified in each instance, and the measures taken resulted in appreciable improvements. In one case arrangements had been made for the installation of a mechanical stoker which was designed to operate with the minimum production of smoke. Some owners complained of the poor quality of fuel, while others pointed out that even when the coal supplied was of reasonable quality, it was sometimes not suited to the particular method of stoking. Some mechanical stokers require fuel of a special grade to ensure maximum, efficiency. Most of the proprietors seem willing and anxious to co-operate in keeping down the volume of smoke, since it is now generally realised that - apart from the question of nuisance - excessive smoke is really partially consumed fuel which could be saved by appropriate methods of stoking.