[Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Ashton-in-Makerfield U.D.C.

  • Ashton-in-Makerfield (England). Urban District Council. n 78087965.
Date:
1957
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Ashton-in-Makerfield U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/28 (page 9)
    ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR, 1957. Public Health Department, Town Hall, Ashton-in-Makerfield. To the Chairman and Members of the Ashton-in-Makerfield Urban District Council. Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of submitting my Annual Report for the year ending the 31st December, 1957. In addition to the legislation previously in operation covering an extensively wide field of health control, two most important new Acts became effective during the year. The Clean Air Act, 1956 came into operation, with the exception of certain sections, on the 31st December, 1956 and the remainder on the 1st June, 1957. Part II of the Rent Act, 1954, dealing with repairs increase of rent, which had not proved a success was repealed by the Rent Act, 1957, on the 6th July, 1957. The Slum Clearance programme was continued and ninety-one dwelling houses in seven areas were represented to the Council in July, 1957 after each house had been inspected and all details of defects recorded. I regret to state that in October, when it was reported that new increased rates, in borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board for housing purposes, would be charged, it was resolved that: “Housing building be suspended until interest rates are substantially reduced.” I had hoped that the Council’s Slum Clearance would have continued without interruption even if the rate of demolition and rehousing was slowed down, but I do realize that the increased costs of building and borrowing rates would have caused rents to rise and in consequence cause hardship to tenants, especially when the majority are now only paying nominal rents. Attention has been given to the normal routine duties of the health department and much time has been expended in connection with the Food Hygiene Regulations. I am happy to report that food premises throughout the district have been considerably improved during the year.