Public Health advice  - Central Bedfordshire Council

Public health advice

There are a number of ways public health can be affected

Waste
Derelict properties
Dangerous properties

Looking after the residents of Central Bedfordshire

Carbon Monoxide awareness

Households with fuel (gas, oil, LPG, coal) burning appliances should be aware of the dangers of faulty appliances or of using those appliances incorrectly. Incomplete combustion of the fuel can lead to the poisonous gas, carbon monoxide being emitted in harmful amounts. Symptoms from low-level carbon monoxide poisoning can sometimes be confused with other illness symptoms but high levels can kill.

Derelict properties - public safety

When buildings are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, and the building is either not effectively secured against unauthorised entry or is likely to become a danger to public health then the Council may serve notice under Section 29 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to remedy the situation. Necessary works often include boarding up window and door openings or ensuring that perimeter fencing is adequate.

In addition to these powers, Building Control have the power to deal with dangerous structures. Theses may include buildings which are dangerous by virtue of their structural instability, for example, a wall or a roof of a house in such a state that it is likely to fall onto a passer by.

Once any immediate hazards have been remedied we will attempt to persuade the owner to bring the property back into use.