The Future of War-Time Allotments
Ventilation in The Factories
Ministry of Health and Housing Subsidies
Representation on The County Council

  Wednesday, present: Messrs. C. Bates, J.P. (chairman), C. W. Horrell, C.A. (vice-chairman), T. Swindall, T. Wilmott, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, F. Knight, J.P., L. Perkins, B.Sc., F. Corby, J. Spencer, J.P., J. Hornsby, and G. W. Coles, J.P., with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

Allotments Committee

  A meeting of the Allotments Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 21^st, 1924, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby, C. Bates, T. Wilmott, J. Spencer, L. Baxter, and W. Gutteridge.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Hornsby be appointed chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

Rent Collectors

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to make a grant of £5 towards the expenses of the committee in the collection of the rents during the past year.

Management

  The future of the garden allotments was considered, and the committee were unanimously of opinion that if the Allotments Association would take over the management it would be to the advantage of the Council and promote the interest of garden allotments in Rushden.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to ask the Allotments Association if they would undertake the management, and, it they agreed to, to further recommend that they be remunerated by payment of 15 per cent. of the gross rents received.

  The report was adopted, and Mr. Hornsby said that the Allotments Association agreed to do as requested.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 28^th, 1924, when there were present:  Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Bates, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, and T. Wilmott.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The report of the Medical Officer for the month of May was received.

  With regard to one item in the report, the Clerk was instructed to communicate with the local Boot Manufacturers’ Association with a view to more ventilation being provided in the various factories and particularly requesting that all windows be kept open during the day.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting seven additional nuisances had been dealt with, of which number four had been abated.

  Forty-three visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which visits a quantity of pork and pork and beef offal was found to be unfit for food and destroyed in the usual way.

  Following cases of infectious disease, four rooms had been disinfected, a quantity of bedding disinfected at the depot, and a quantity destroyed at the sewage farm.

  The Inspector also reported that the notice served upon the occupier of No. 42, Cromwell-road, in March last, to abate a nuisance caused by overcrowding, was still not complied with.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to take proceedings against Mr. Bates unless the nuisance be abated forthwith.

  The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work and inspections during the past month.

Manning’s-Lane

  The sub-committee appointed at the last meeting reported that they had visited and inspected the cottages Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6, Manning’s-lane, which they found in a rather dilapidated condition.  Various repairs and cleansing were suggested, and the Inspector was instructed to communicate with the owner with a view to these being carried out at an early date.

Petroleum Acts

  An application was received from the Lightstrung Cycle Co., Ltd., for a licence to erect a pump and construct an underground tank for petrol on their premises, 15ft. from the building-line, near the entrance to the Old Drill Hall.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Grove-Road, York-Road, and Manton-Road Back-Ways

  The Inspector reported that, as instructed at a previous meeting, he had caused an estimate of the cost of repairing this road-way with cinders, etc., to be prepared, which he had submitted to the abutting owners, who had all agreed to pay their apportioned shares in respect thereof.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to proceed with the work.

Farm

  The Farm Sub-Committee reported that they had visited the farm and decided to recommend to the committee the purchase of a horse mowing and reaping machine from Messrs. Ball and Son, at the price of £27.

  The committee agreed, and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

Cemetery

  The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that they met at the cemetery on the 21^st inst. and inspected the chapel.  They recommended that a few minor alterations be carried out and that the inside be renovated.

  The committee agreed, and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

  The sub-committee also recommended that notices be placed in the cemetery field requesting the public to keep to the footpath, and that the grass, when ready, be cut and sold.

  The committee agreed.

  The sub-committee also brought forward the question of the provision of a new range with back boiler and a bath at the caretaker’s house, at an estimated cost of £32.  The committee, however, decided to defer the matter for the present.

  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, June 4^th, 1924, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, T. Swindall, and T. Wilmott.

Surveyor’s Cash Account

  The committee examined the Surveyor’s cash account with the wages books, the expenditure shown therein being as follows:-

Collector’s Accounts

  The Collector’s accounts were also examined, from which it appeared that he had collected the following sums during the past month:

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts, from which it appeared that he had received the following sums since the last meeting:-

And that the balances on the under-mentioned accounts were as follow:-

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £4,859  9s.  1d. were examined and passed for payment.

Market Tolls

  It was resolved to recommend to the Council that in future the tolls for all stalls in the market be paid to the Collector, during office hours, at the Council Buildings, before erection, and a ticket obtained, and that the Collector make arrangements for an inspection of the tickets during Saturday evenings.

Council Employees

  A letter was received from the secretary to the Local Authorities Non-Trading Services (Manual Workers) Provincial Council stating that a halfpenny per hour increase to the workmen became due under the sliding-scale agreement as from March 1^st last and asking that this be at once granted.  The scale had since been reduced by a halfpenny per hour as from 1^st June.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to pay the increase from June 1^st for three months.

Local Government and Other Officers’ Superannuation Act, 1922

  The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the District Secretary of the Municipal Employees’ Association stating that the Council’s workmen had discussed the question of asking the Council to adopt the Act as far as they were concerned, but had decided in the negative.

  The committee considered the memorial from the Officers asking the Council to adopt the Act.  It was understood that the County Council had already decided to take steps to put the Act into operation, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to take steps to adopt the Act and to apply for admission with the County Council.

Housing, Etc., No. 2 Act
Messrs. Brown’s Contract

  A letter was received from Mr. W. Gillitt with regard to the plant, etc., stating that the Committee of Inspection would be prepared to waive their claim on the plant if it were understood there would be no action initiated for damages in respect of the broken contract.

  The Clerk was instructed to reply that under Messrs. Brown’s contract the plant was the property of the Council, and that the question of damages would have to be considered later.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Perkins, with regard to Council employees, asked if it would be possible for an individual employee to come in under the scheme even though the branch, as a branch, might decide against it.

  The Chairman said the Council could not object to an individual employee coming in as long as they had adopted the Act.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, June 4^th, 1924, when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, J. Spencer, and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented for:

  Storeroom (amended plan) for Messrs. H. W. Chapman, Ltd., at the rear of their factory in Cromwell-road, and passed.

  Cycle-shed for Mr. Walter Robinson at the rear of his house near the Old Windmill on the Wymington road, and passed.

  Additions to factory in John-street for Messrs. F. Corby, Ltd., and passed subject to various small amendments being made to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.

  Coal-barn at the rear of No. 24, Church-street for Mr. F. Reynolds, and no exception taken.

  Workshop at the rear of No. 75, Moor-road, for Mr. A. J. Groome, and no exception taken.

  House on the Wellingborough road for Mr. Leonard Howes, and passed.

  House on the Higham road for Mr. W. H. Darnell, and passed.

  Applications for subsidies in respect of the last two mentioned houses were received, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to issue certificates in respect of the same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £100 each.

Harborough and Bedford Roads (South) Corner

  The question of the construction of a public lavatory at this corner, referred to the committee by the Council at their last meeting, was considered.  Having regard to the strong objection of the vendor of the land to the proposal, the committee could not see their way to recommend its adoption, and resolved that the corner be fenced in as suggested at the last meeting of the committee.

Hayway Sewer Extension

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to carry out the work of this extension by contract, and for this purpose to instruct the Surveyor to advertise for tenders therefor.

  The committee also considered the question of raising a loan in connection therewith.  It was pointed out that the loan raised for the erection of stables some years ago had not been utilised, this money at present being invested in 5 per cent. War Stock.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Clerk to make application to the Ministry of Health for permission to use this money for this extension.

Allen-Road

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to advertise for tenders for the making up of this road under the Private Street Works Act, 1892.

Main Roads

  A letter was received from the Clerk to the County Council stating that the Roads and Bridges Committee, at a special meeting, had considered the estimate of the amount for the maintenance of the main roads in this district but could not see their way to increase the amount (£2,115) which they had already resolved to recommend the County Council to allow.  In coming to this decision, they had in mind the fact that the actual expenditure during each of the past three years had been less than the amount of the estimate approved by the County Council at the commencement of the respective years.

  The letter further stated that any special representations for increased expenditure should be made during April or the beginning of May.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to agree to the estimate as reduced.

  With regard to tar-spraying, the Surveyor was instructed to proceed with this to the entire width of the roads, as suggested by the County Surveyor, and to make application for a supplemental grant in respect of the extra cost.

Public Lighting

  The Surveyor was instructed to advertise for tenders for painting the whole of the lamp columns.  It was understood that the lamps would be painted by direct labour.

Depot

  The Depot Sub-Committee reported that they had inspected the tar-boilers and found same in a bad state of repair; they recommended that a new 100-gallon boiler be purchased at the price of £35.

  The committee approved, and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

  The sub-committee were requested to further examine one of the boilers with a view to it being repaired, and report at the next meeting.

Housing, Etc. Act. 1923

  A letter was received from the Ministry of health stating that their letter of February 6^th last may be regarded as authorising the Council to grant the subsidy in respect of the 50 houses, even though, as regards some of them, assistance will be promised subsequently to April 25^th.  The letter also stated that in issuing certificates the Council should limit their promise of assistance to such houses as are likely to be commenced before March 31^st next.

  The report having been received, Mr. Spencer moved as an amendment that the Hayway sewer extension be carried out by direct labour, and said he was sure the work would be done more efficiently than by contract.

  Mr. Hornsby seconded, and said that under contract work the Council workmen had had to rectify the deficiencies.

  Mr. Swindall said the reason the committee suggested a contract was because the Council employees had a great deal of work in hand.

  In reply to Mr. Wilmott, the Surveyor said that if the Council decided to do the work by direct labour he would engage extra men.

  The amendment was defeated, only four voting for it.

  With regard to the tar-spraying of the entire width of the roads, Mr. Swindall said there was still a tremendous lot of horse traffic, and he protested against tar-spraying the whole of the roadway.  He thought the Surveyor ought to be allowed to use his discretion.

  Mr. Horrell said this was not a general instruction on the part of the Roads and Bridges of the County Council – it was merely a general recommendation.  It was quite optional on the part of the Urban Council.

  Mr. Corby said that roads, when tar-sprayed the whole width, were very dangerous for horse traffic, especially in cases of steep gradients or when the roads were damp in the autumn.  If the Surveyor could use his own discretion, it would be better.

  An amendment to this effect, proposed by Mr. Coles was carried unanimously.

  The rest of the report was adopted.

The Feast

  A letter was received from the Rushden Trades Council and Labour Party, calling attention to the manner in which the letting of Spencer Park for the Feast was carried out.  They suggested that the method of letting by contract be adopted, as they felt sure this would mean increased revenue.

  The letter was referred to the Parks Committee.

County Council

  A letter was received from the Clerk of the Northants County Council in reply to the request of the Rushden Urban Council asking for additional representation of Rushden on the County Council.  He said the matter had been brought up at a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, who reported as follows:

  “At a meeting in October last the County Council considered a report of the members of the Council appointed to hold an inquiry into an application by the Rushden Urban District Council for the increase of the number of Urban District Councillors from twelve to 18, and for the division of the parish into wards, embodying a recommendation that the application be acceded to;  the report was referred back with an instruction to bring it forward with the necessary alteration as to the dates of election, etc., to the meeting of the Council in October next.  Your committee have also received from the Rushden Urban District Council a suggestion that the representation of Rushden on the County Council should be increased.  They have also received from the Burton Latimer Urban District Council a request for the constitution of Burton Latimer as a separate electoral division.  Both these applications are matters which are dealt with (if so determined) by way of representation from the County Council to the Minister of health, with whom the decision lies.  An increase in the number of County Councillors for Rushden and the adjustment sought for in the case of Burton Latimer would entail a redistribution of seats upon the County Council or an increase in the number of County Councillors and Aldermen.  Considerations of adequacy of representation throughout the whole of the county area are involved, and your committee are of opinion that the matter, if undertaken, should be dealt with on the representation of the County Council to be elected at the expiration of the term of office of the present Council.”

  Mr. Coles protested against the injustice to Rushden, and said there were 16 districts returning County Councillors on an electoral roll of 1,300 or thereabouts, against over 4,000 in Rushden (Southern Division), which was the largest electoral division in the whole county.  It seemed to him most unjust.  Whether they took the population or the number of voters, it was equally unfair to Rushden.  He contended that Rushden’s progress was greatly retarded by the limitation of its membership.  It was very important that the interests of Rushden with regard to education should not be neglected.  He moved that they send a pressing letter to the County Council, asking that the matter should receive attention before the next County Council election.  He suggested that some of the smaller divisions should be re-arranged so as to secure another member for Rushden.

  Mr. Spencer seconded, and it was carried.