[Report 1972] / Medical Officer of Health, Whitehaven Borough.

  • Whitehaven (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1972
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1972] / Medical Officer of Health, Whitehaven Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/36 (page 14)
    IMPROVEMENTS : The sudden interest shown in the improve¬ ment of dwelling houses after years of apathy has created a great increase in the work of this department. The very generous grants now available together with the removal of restrictions has had the desired effect. No day now passes without a number of persons seeking advice on grant aid. Legal and technical advice is given, houses inspected and documents prepared; as well as super¬ vision of works in progress. This grant aid scheme is now in full swing to the point where considerable difficulties are being ex¬ perienced by applicants having trouble getting estimates and having the work carried out. There is no doubt the increased financial inducements have brought about this dramatic change of heart. One hundred and twenty-one applications were received during the year and 56 houses were improved and the grant paid. OVERCROWDING : No survey of houses for overcrowding was made during the year and I do not think that this is necessary. Overcrowding would very soon be evident these days in this dis¬ trict by application being made for council accommodation. How¬ ever no case of statutory overcrowding was discovered during routine visits. CARAVANS : There are no licensed caravan sites in the district. Occasional visits by itinerant traders are of short duration. PUBLIC HOUSES : No complete survey of these premises could be made during the year but such premises as were visited showed that the standards had been maintained and in new premises im¬ proved upon. The highly unsatisfactory premises that formerly existed have been closed, demolished or improved. OFFICES, SHOPS & RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963 : In¬ spections for the purposes of this act (which deals with the safety, health and welfare of employed persons) have been made where possible with the serious staffing position now existing in this de¬ partment. As most food shops are included in this act dual purpose visits were possible. No serious accidents occurred during the year and no prosecu¬ tions were necessary.