|
|||
| The Rushden Echo, 15th and 29th March, 1935, transcribed by Gill Hollis |
|||
|
Rushden Urban District Council
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Council Challenged On Main Street Lighting Plan Dr. Greenfield probed sharply with his lancet at Wednesday’s meeting of the Rushden Urban Council because the Council had committed itself to an £800 lighting scheme without allowing an opportunity for discussion in open meeting. It was revealed that after the February meeting the Council went into committee and while so assembled definitely adopted a plan to light the whole length of the main street by centrally suspended electric lamps. The acceptance of a tender was all that remained to be done in public on Wednesday. The doctor, having defended the public right to receive information, showed that experiments with gas-lighting had been refused. Critics also arose on other questions, and Mr. Roe was severe on a proposal to spend money not estimated for on new conveniences in Spencer Park. The Highways Committee reported that tenders had been received for the lighting of the county road A6 from the Higham Ferrers boundary to Mannings-lane (the other extremity of the town) by electric centrally suspended lamps, in accordance with a plan and specification previously approved by the whole Council in committee. The Rushden and District Electric Supply Co., Ltd., quoted £778 for the supply of 51 standards, all fitted and ready for use, and £5 13s. 6d. per lamp per annum for maintenance, including new bulbs, etc. Dr. Greenfield said he felt that when they were adopting a scheme of such considerable magnitude the town should have an opportunity of knowing how the money was being spent. The adoption of this scheme involved the town in a sum considerably in excess of alternative schemes. The committee, continued the doctor, went to Kettering and came back enthusiastic for a particular scheme. It was an overhead system, and they were all agreed with them there. Suggestions Turned Down When, however, he suggested a trial lamp of electricity and a trial lamp of gas, he was told that you could not compare the two. He thought he was quite able to compare the electric lamps in High-street with gas lamps in other parts of the town, and he did not think the electricity had any particular advantage. If they could show the residents that they would have much better lighting by electricity they should be prepared to pay for it. They were told that gas was very much out of date, but he had taken some little pains to examine the question of lighting in London, having been told that only the back streets were lit by gas. As a result two points arose in his mind – which were the main streets of London, and how many councillors’ eyes needed attention? Dr. Greenfield reeled off the names of famous London streets where gas lighting was employed. Then he announced that he would move that two trial lamps be erected. Mr. Allebone had told them that they must compare at least 20 of one kind with 20 of the other, but he thought he was quite capable of judging if one lamp gave a better light than another, and he should think most of the councillors were. Mr. Coles: Is the doctor in order? The Clerk: It has already been decided by the whole Council in committee that the lamps should be lighted by electricity. Council Committed The Chairman: the whole Council is committee committed themselves to the lighting of this A6 road from the Higham boundary to the other boundary of the town by electric light. I don’t think that in that condition we can accept any amendment to this position except we rescind the previous motion of the full Council. Mr. Perkins: There is no date mentioned. It doesn’t day that it should be used immediately. We might have found that these tenders were so high that they frightened us. We may at our option at any time hold the thing up on account of prohibitive prices. Mr. Perkins followed up by seconding Dr. Greenfield’s amendment. Mr. Coles: The Council have decided once and for all which sort of light be used, and I take it that the decision is binding until the minute is rescinded. Dr. Greenfield: I think the public has a right to know on what grounds we reached the decision. Mr. Spencer: I think it is quite right that a lighting scheme like this should be brought before the Council, and that the town should have full particulars, but I don’t think the doctor is in order when the resolution has been passed by the whole Council. Personally I am in favour of the scheme that has been recommended. Gas Co. Gets Busy “We have had a lot of literature sent round by the Gas Company,” said Mr. Spencer. “Whether that has influenced any person, I don’t know. I personally am not interested in either company, but from my observation in many towns I have visited I can say that in the main thoroughfares they have electricity. The disadvantage of gas is that in strong wind the burners are liable to be blown out.” Dr. Greenfield: Is it the position that when the Council meets in committee any decision, when it comes before the full Council, must be passed without further discussion? That is what I want to know. The Chairman: There was a full discussion by the full Council in committee, and the Council came to an agreement which is expressed in the minutes of the Council in committee. It was agreed to light by electricity, and as that is so I must rule that the business should proceed. Mr. Wilmott: Could not that resolution be rescinded? The Chairman: It does not redound to the credit of this Council to decide that they should light by electricity and then immediately rescind it. Mr. Allebone said the thought the doctor would be in order in moving an amendment that the matter should be deferred for a month for further consideration, but beyond that he did not think it was discussable. The Chairman then said he could accept a reference back to the appropriate committee. Dr. Greenfield: I accept that. The Chairman: Will you move it? Dr. Greenfield: Yes, I do. Mr. Perkins promptly seconded, adding: “I would rather see a thing tried before we spend so much money on it.” Mr. Coles said he wanted to know what the matter was being referred back for. Did anyone bring figures forward to show that it could be done cheaper of better? They had been to see this lighting, and they were perfectly satisfied with it. Mr. Capon: “What is the resolution that is going back?” The Chairman: Resolution 10. (Accepting the tender). Mr. Capon: Have the movers an alternative? The amendment was then put and defeated. The resolution of the Plans, Highways and Lighting Committee was carried, but not before Dr. Greenfield had opposed with a firm “No.” It was agreed to apply for the Ministry of Health’s consent to a loan. Park Proposals More discussion arose from a report from the Parks, Baths and Hall Committee. For Spencer Park the committee recommended the construction of conveniences (for both sexes) at the rear of the bowling pavilion, at an estimated cost of £129, direct labour to be employed in construction where possible. The building would be of brick, and wood, with a concrete foundation. A new chain link surround was proposed for the grass tennis courts, and would cost £34. The committee also recommended that the land at the far end of the court should be seeded down with a view to the provision of another court in 1936, and that the old Territorial hut should be equipped with a few tables, trestles and chairs, the Bowling Club to be allowed the use of it for teas, etc., at a charge of £1 per annum. Rushden Co-operative C.C. required a cricket pitch, and the committee suggested a charge of £1 for the season. Presenting the report, Mr. Green said the committee thought the convenience very necessary in view of the greater use of the bowling greens. Not Provided For Mr. Roe was not satisfied. Had the committee, he asked, received any application from either the tennis players, the bowling club, or the people who played on the putting greens? If the conveniences were necessary, he had no objection to them, although he would have thought there was plenty of accommodation in Spencer Park, but what he did object to was an expenditure of that amount being sanctioned before it went before the Finance Committee. The item was not allowed for in the estimates for the present year, and as the time for preparing new estimates was so near he thought it should be brought before the Finance Committee for consideration in the estimates for the coming year. “They may have to rule some of these extra expenses out, or we may have an increased rate,” said Mr. Roe. “I don’t know what the rate is likely to be,” he added. Mr. Green said they had some very pressing application from the bowlers, and the committee were unanimous in deciding that the conveniences were urgently needed. The Chairman: I think it is placed on the agenda now so that it can be placed on the estimates for next year if the Council so desires. Mr. Roe said his objection was that it would be passed by the Council before it went to the Finance Committee. Mr. Coles said the number of players had largely increased, and they themselves had made the request that something might be done. Mr. Roe: I am satisfied with that; it is the other part I don’t like. Tea For Bowlers Mr. Perkins referred to the use of the Territorial hut by the bowlers and said he thought it would be wise if they were to stipulate that a new application should be made by the Bowling Club at the beginning of each year. As the paragraph stood now, it might be for a 99 years lease. Mr. Green said he was agreeable to the insertion of the words “per annum.” Mr. Coles: I see no advantage in it. I think you may take it for granted that all who play there will want to use the hut at various times, and if that is so you would want an application from the whole of them. Mr. Perkins said the Bowling Club were the chief users, and the only ones so far. “We are not handing over the whole place to the Bowling Club,” he added. The Clerk (Mr. W. L. Beetenson) said it was the recognised thing for these arrangements to be made for the year. Mr. Green said that anyone else who wanted to use the hut could apply for permission. Mr. Perkins: If it is clear that these applications should be made annually, I am quite satisfied. The report was then adopted as it stood. Skinner’s Hill Peril Mr. Sugars called attention to the proposed improvement in Skinner’s-hill (Wellingborough-road). The Council, he recalled, had made representations to the County Surveyor, but these were not successful. The safety of children going to and from the South End School was concerned, and he had made it his business to go and find out for himself that the information he gathered from the headmaster was quite correct. He found that 90 children passed the spot four times a day. The children walked along by the wall on the side where there was no footpath, and wandered in and out, and with motor traffic passing continuously the Council would see the danger there was. If they could get a footpath made it would keep the children off the road and avoid accidents. Two small accidents had occurred there, and one might have been very serious. Mr. Allebone replied that the Highways Committee and the County Surveyor were fully conversant with all these points. At the last meeting of the County Council the Surveyor was asked to negotiate with the owners of the property concerned with a view to the completion of the scheme, and the negotiations were still on the way. Not Informative! Mr. Spencer complained that the report of the Health and Sanitary Committee, stating that “the report of the Medical Officer of Health for the month of February was received,” conveyed nothing to the Council. It did not even say that the health of the town was satisfactory. Mr. Richardson: The report of the Medical Officer of Health was exceedingly satisfactory – so satisfactory that he seemed to have nothing to report of a detrimental character. The Chairman: I think this particular form of report was decided upon years ago. It is usual for the committee chairman in presenting it to say whether it is satisfactory. The Budget Rush Mr. Allebone drew attention to the proposal that the Finance Committee should prepare the “Budget” and the Council pass it on the same day. He knew the difficulty there was last year in presenting the financial report, and he expected Mr. Capon would find the same difficulty. It was also difficult for the Council to pass the estimates etc., without having time for consideration. Mr. Allebone suggested that the meetings should be held on different dates, and the committee’s report circulated so that the members could give it reasonable consideration. Mr. Hornsby agreed. It took some time to grasp the report, he said. Mr. Allebone: It has hardly been fair. It is left to the chairman of the Finance Committee to recommend a rate. The others can say “Aye” or “No” and they all say “Aye” without considering it properly. It was decided to hold the Finance Committee meeting at an earlier date and circulate the details. Auditor’s Suggestions Two points raised by the District Auditor were the arrears of house rents and the amount contributed by the Water Board for services rendered by the Council. The first point was being considered by the Housing Committee. Having regard to the increased office accommodation at the Council Buildings, the additional expenses connected with the Depot, and the extra work in the Collector’s department, the charges to the Water Board were increased as follows:- Rent of offices £15 to £25, rent of depot £27 10s. to £30, salaries in Collector’s and Surveyor’s departments (combined) £107 10s. to £200 making a total increase of £105. A letter was received from the manager of the National Provincial Bank stating that owing to the prolonged continuance of easy money conditions, which appeared likely to continue for some time, it was necessary for the bank to give notice terminating the existing arrangements for the allowance of 1½ per cent on the daily creditor balances, subject to a free balance of £2,000. The new terms offered were one per cent on the daily net creditor balances of the current accounts, taken as a whole, subject to a free balance of £3,000. The Finance Committee gave very careful consideration to the new terms offered, and recommended the Council to accept the reduced rate of interest, as and from April 1, and to instruct the Clerk, on his so informing the bank, to state that the Council could not agree to an increased free balance. The Council confirmed this. High Street Improvement Subject to the Ministry of Health approving the Council’s surrender of a small strip of land at the entrance to the Hall grounds the Council learned of the County Council’s intention to complete the High-street South improvement on the north side of the South End Schools. Consent was given to the laying of an underground telegraph line along the north side of Albion-place and in Wymington-road. The Church-street improvement, costing £830, was approved by the Ministry of Health. Building plans were as follows: House, Purvis-road, Mr. T. A. Fairey; house, St. Margaret’s-avenue, Messrs. M. M. Drabble; eight houses, Talbot-road, Messrs. A. Sanders, Ltd .; two houses, St. Mary’s-avenue, Waverley Building Co., two houses, Kimbolton-road, Messrs. J. H. Johnson and J. Williams (passed subject to a separate cesspool being provided for each house and the approval of the County Council being obtained to the proposed building line); bungalow, Birchall-road, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons; shop, High-street (amended plan), Mr. A. Cleaver; extension to factory, Portland-road, Mr. Fred Hawkes; wooden garage, Higham-road, Mrs. Meyers; six lock-up garages, Carnegie-street, Mr. Jack Joyce; garage, North-street, Mr. F. Corby; garage, Trafford-road, Mr. R. F. Knight; wooden shed at rear of “Stonehurst,” High-street, Mr. G. H. Bull. Swimming Bath Device A resident of Higham Ferrers sought permission to install a device for teaching swimming at the Bath, and the committee agreed on certain conditions. Mr. Green explained: “It has been put in without any responsibility on our part, and if it is a good thing, we shall no doubt be pleased to accept it.” Completion of the Irchester-road estate by the construction of roads and erection of further houses had also been considered the Surveyor being instructed to prepare a lay-out. Five milk samples sent for bacteriological examination were satisfactory, and in a sixth case the Inspector said he had reason to expect a great improvement. The salary of Mr. R. E. Moisey, caretaker of the Cemetery, was increased by 5s. per week on completion of two years’ service. Mr. Green announced that the bands of the town had met and arranged dates for concerts at Rushden Hall. A letter from the Adult School invited the Council to be represented at a social gathering in celebration of the billiard teams’ successes and the Chairman was asked to attend. “Will the Chairman be asked to give an exhibition of billiards?” asked Mr. Perkins….Mr. Allen smiled and said nothing. Members Present Members in attendance were Messrs. J. Allen, J.P. (Chairman), A. Allebone, J.P., C.C., (Vice-Chairman), J. White, J. Roe, T. W. Cox, F. Green, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., L. Perkins, M.B.E., W. E. Capon, J. S. Denton, A. Wilmott, J. Spencer, J.P., J. E. Dilks, G. W. Coles, J.P., E. A. Sugars, W. J. Sawford, J. Hornsby and J. T. Richardson. |
|||
|
The Rushden Echo and Argus, 29th March, 1935, transcribed by Gill Hollis 1/6 On The Rate: Budget Night Shock The general rate for Rushden jumped from 10s. 6d. to 12s. in the £, and the amount to be exacted from £34,335 to £39,456, at the Council’s “Budget” meeting on Wednesday. This sudden advance, after a six-year period in which the rate had fallen steadily from 13s. 4d. to 10s. 6d., needed special explanation, and Mr. W. E. Capon, Chairman of the Finance Committee, gave a very thorough survey of the position. He showed that the Housing Committee had taken £1,242 and the Water Board £970 more than was estimated, and that a balance into which previous “Chancellors” had dipped for some years had dwindled from £10,000 to £500. “Anything the Council want is simply passed,” complained Mr. Roe, who in the course of scathing criticisms declared that the tradespeople having had their assessments increased last year, could not afford to pay still more. The “Budget” was presented by Mr. W. E. Capon, Chairman of the Finance Committee who spoke for half-an-hour. Twelve months ago, said Mr. Capon, it was estimated that the total expenses on all counts would be £44,127 and that the income, exclusive of rates and Government grant in respect of de-rating, would be £26,083. Deducting the Government de-rating grant of £10,029, a sum of £8,015 was left. A credit of £2,021 was given from balances in hand, leaving £5,991 (equivalent to a rate of 1s. 10.3d.) to be raised for Council purposes It was further estimated that precepting authorities would make calls on a rate of 8s. 7.7d., the total rate thus being made up to 10s. 6d. The actual calls, however, exceeded expectations by £1,488, the amounts paid being: (County Council £27,453 (increase £351), Wellingborough Assessment Committee £240 (increase £72), Water Board £1,170 (increase £970), discount for prompt payment of rates £525 (increase £95). An Extra £1,908 The actual expenditure for the year was £47,070, against the estimated sum of £44,127, and the income (including the Exchequer grant) was £37,994, leaving a net actual expenditure of £9,076. Towards meeting this it had been agreed to take £2,021 from balances, but the sum actually taken from balances was £4,129 – a difference of £1,908. This difference was accounted for by the increase of £970 on the Water Board precept, and by the fact that the Housing Committee, although budgeting for £919, actually required £2,161 – an increase of £1,242. The two increases came to £2,212, but other committees saved £304, and this gave the £1,908 mentioned as the extra amount taken from balances. Mr. Capon gave a detailed explanation of the Housing Committee excess. It appeared that the Council were required to set aside half the Government grant on houses erected under the 1924 Act as a sinking fund out of which the annual charges were met, the balance being carried forward from the Government grant period. The rent calculations were made on a 60 years basis, but the Government grant was only for 40 years. Further, the amount of estimated actual expenditure on repairs was budgeted for, whereas the Act called for 25 per cent. of net rent charges to be set aside as a special fund out of which repairs expenditure was payable. The balance in hand, Mr. Capon said, was only £500, a smaller figure than they had had for many years, and really approaching the danger point. The Cruse of Oil Twelve months ago Mr. Allebone referred to the fact that the 1932-3 balance was nearly £10,000 and the 1933-4 balance practically £7,000, but now they were left with a few hundred. “We may all have heard of the cruse of oil that failed not,” said Mr. Capon, “but here we are dealing with concrete things, and Council cash balances, like Sywell, dry up. We are therefore starting off, as from April 1 – a good date! - with a small amount of cash in hand, but with wonderful assets in kind, and an abundance of goodwill, determination and endeavour.” Mr. Capon observed that it was the Council’s 44th annual meeting. In the first year (1891-2) the town’s rateable value was £17,482, the rate 2s., and the amount produced £1,494. To-day the rateable value was £70,400, the rate 10s. 6d. and the product £34,335. It would be observed that while the rateable value was practically four times as great, the amount produced was 23 times greater. “It is always a pleasure,” continued Mr. Capon, “to be associated with an organisation of any kind that is out to do its best for the community it serves, and still more gratifying when that body, realising its responsibilities, seeks to secure the desired end in the best possible way at a minimum of expense, whilst setting out for a maximum of benefit and service. “There are larger as well as smaller urban areas, but a Council more efficiently or more economically run I venture to say would be difficult to find. Praise of Ratepayers “Having said that, I would like to pay tribute to the ratepayers of the town for their hearty co-operation in this matter. It is quite obvious that no public body can satisfactorily discharge its duties, however eager it may be, unless there be an adequate response from those it seeks to serve, and it is a very pleasing feature of our committee work to have facts and figures put before us from time to time of the promptness with which the rates are paid. When you recall the fact that there are 2,100 direct ratepayers in the town, and that two-thirds of the rates in invariably collected within a month of the demand, there is a great deal to be said for the assistance given to the council in the prosecution of its task. “For a number of years the Council has pursued a steady policy of improving the approaches to the town, by providing foot-paths, beautifying its roads and streets by planting trees, and laying out its housing estates with good, wide roads, all with a desire to lend dignity to the town. It has sought, too, by not only acquiring open spaces and parks, but also the improvement thereof, to make the town really worthy of the name of Rushden and attractive to visitors. “The question of lighting our highways and of making the roads and streets safer for traffic as well as pedestrians and children in particular, is a very big one, none more urgent. In this the Council are looking and planning ahead rather than to the immediate future. “We read a lot in our papers about the development of new housing estates and expansion of urban areas, but I think it is doubtful whether more progress has been made by any other town the size of our own, bearing in mind the development is widespread geographically. Newton-road, Court Estate, Irchester-road, St. Crispin – the vista of the St. Margaret’s, St. Mary’s and Park-avenues stretching away to the Knuston Spinneys with a link to join up with Wymington-road and Irchester-road may be nearer an accomplished fact than we think. In this connection there is the question of water, sewerage and other public services. All have to come in review, and whilst considerable thought has already been given to these schemes, the maturity of them belongs to the future. Cost of Housing “I shall have occasion to refer to the housing estates a little later on; meanwhile I would like to point out that we have 734 houses already occupied and in the course of erection. Of these 693 are a direct charge upon the rates of the town, and indeed are equivalent to a 9d. rate, requiring £2,200 per annum. In addition to this 197 houses have been built by owner-occupiers, on which a subsidy varying from £70 to £100 was paid. This is a further charge on the Council amounting to 1d. rate or £270 per annum. “For the development of all these schemes and to make them 100 per cent. effective, money is and will be needed, and whilst the outlay may be in many instances regarded as an investment rather than an expenditure, or as a productive debt rather than an unproductive one, yet there is a liability attached to them all, and one that has to be faced year by year. “When it is recalled that these developments, the public services, and hosts of other things incidental to the running of a town are being carried on, and what is more, carried on in a way which is a credit to all concerned, the marvel is that so much is done and accomplished with the comparatively small amount of money at the Council’s disposal. Large Commitments “To come to the question of finances for the ensuing year, it has not been an easy matter to prepare the accounts, primarily on account of our large commitments which I have already outlined, such as public health, social services, housing, partly too, on account of our Council’s endeavour to keep abreast of the needs of the times. Unfortunately, as in other walks of life, money, though it may be wisely spent, only goes so far. Let me say a word here of thanks to the executive staff of the Council for their painstaking and exhaustive examination of the accounts in every detail, which I shall ask you to consider with me in a moment. “This is our first year under the new regime of housing our own Clerk and Accountant, and I am quite sure the step taken 12 months ago has more than justified itself. “The Finance Committee have for some months been looking into the loans position, and are using the opportunity afforded by the present cheap rate of money to effect savings in the way of loan interest. In the period under review not much benefit will be derived, but considerable savings will result in 1936-7. Loans amounting approximately to £95,000 are being repaid and further sums borrowed at 3¼ per cent interest as against 4 per cent now ruling. This will effect a saving in the first year of approximately £700, and in subsequent years slightly less according to the instalments of principal repaid. The reason that very little will accrue next year is that six months’ notice has to be given, and there are naturally certain legal charges which have to be met. Debt of £367,000 “At the commencement of our financial year (that is to-day) our productive debt (revenue-earning schemes such as Cemetery, bath and housing) is £343,688, and the non-productive debt which entails dead weight charges on rates (street improvements, sewage disposal, public conveniences, parks, etc.) is £23,555, a total of £367,143. The net debt per head of population is £25 6s. 5d. The rateable value stands to-day at £70,452, an increase of £1,410 on the year, and a penny rate is estimated to produce £274.” The year’s expenses were estimated at £50,666, less income of £30,822, leaving a net expenditure of £39,456. The estimates of the various committees, with the actual expenditure last year (shown in brackets) were: Plans, Highways and Lighting £6,895 (£6,763); Health and Sanitary £4,770 (£4,648); Library £410 (£370); Parks, Baths and Hall £2,417 (£2337); Finance and Estates £2,822 (£2,836), this estimate including £274 for the Jubilee celebrations; Housing £2,470 (£2,161); total £19,784 (£19,105). The Housing Committee were calling for a rate of 9d. against 3.4d. last year, and the other committees called for a rate of 5s. 3.2d. against 5s. 3.7d. last year – a halfpenny less. Aggregate Levy This year the estimated Council expenses were £19,784. The Exchequer grant would be £10,080, leaving £9,704, and it was proposed to take £350 from balances, the net Council expenditure becoming £9,354. They had also to provide £600 for discounts on rates, £27,606 for the County Council precept, £96 for the Wellingborough Assessment Committee and £1,800 for the Water Board. The aggregate of the rate it was proposed to levy was £39,456. Examining the housing position, Mr. Capon said: “I made reference earlier on to the houses which have been erected over a period of years. There are 41 in Kings-road under the Act of 1890, and these happily are now a source of income to the Council. In the Newton-road area are 98 under the act of 1919, the main clause of which is that local authorities were required to provide houses and to levy annually towards the cost a rate of 1d. In the £, the balance being found by the Treasury. Then 197 subsidies were granted under the Act of 1923 to promote private enterprise. This is a cost to the ratepayers at large of approximately £270 per annum. “There are 425 houses in our Irchester-road Estate under the Act of 1924, known as the Wheatley Act, and the Exchequer contribution is £9 per annum for 40 years, the annual charge to our Council being £1,673, or the equivalent of a 6d. rate. Erections, too, are proceeding apace in Highfield-road under the Act of 1925 and the Slum Clearance Scheme of 1930, the number of houses concerned being 132. This entails a further charge on the rates of £347 - £3 4s. per house per annum for the 1925 Act and £3 15s. per house per annum for slum clearance, this in the latter case being exclusive of the Government grant. Subsidising Houses “The net cost to the town for the year is £2,470, or a rate of 9d. in the £ as against a budgeted rate for 1934-5 of 3.4 pence. To put it another way, on the present basis each house erected by the Council, on the average, is being subsidised by the town to the extent of 1s. 2d. per week. I may remark there is a Housing Bill before the Parliament, a clause of which deals with the pooling of all rents of the houses erected by the Council irrespective of the Act under which the houses were erected, and be it noted that one leading housing authority has already anticipated the passing of the Bill by putting this particular clause of the proposed Act into operation. In reference to the Water Board precept Mr. Capon observed: “Here is something we are called upon to pay for which we have not had. When we remember the amount budgeted for last year was only £200, here we are asked to provide £1,800, it certainly causes us to heave a sigh. I hardly think it is necessary to enlarge upon the position – the facts are so well known to us all. It is one of the paradoxes of life – the less we use, the more it costs, and the less others use, the more it costs us. To make a play upon a well-known advertisement, let us hope we can say 'That’s Sywell, that was!'” “Compulsion at The Door” Summing up, Mr. Capon said last year’s rate of 10s. 6d. proved to be inadequate and uneconomic. It was nice even money – half a guinea and easy to say “ditto.” No body of men constituting a Council would think of raising a rate unless compulsion knocked at the door and knocked hard, but they were up against it and were laying a foundation for the future. The increase of rateable value to £70,452 would appear to give them a larger sum to use for social services, town improvements, etc., but in reality it gave only a small amount, as the County Council required, as for last year, practically 80 per cent. of the rate the Council levied. Mr. Capon then moved a rate of 12s. in the £ for the year 1935-6. The Discussion Mr. Spencer Denies Waste or Extravagance The Chairman seconded and said he would like to thank Mr. Capon for the very able way in which he had presented the “Budget.” It was possibly a very unthankful task this year, but Mr. Capon had made the position perfectly clear to them, and they thanked him for the great amount of time he must have spent on it. It required a great deal of thinking about, too. Mr. Wilmott said he must congratulate the “Chancellor” on his lucid manner and on his correct way of putting the facts. Mr. Capon had said, however, that he could not understand that less water should be associated with more expense. That ought to be easy enough for him to understand, because if they had less water to sell they were bound to have less money coming in. Mr. Wilmott, who is chairman of the Water Board, added with feeling “I can prophesy, I think, for our next chairman of the Water Board a brighter and happier year than the last one.” Errors Of The Past Mr. Spencer supported the proposition. “At the time when we first went into 10s. 6d.,” he said, “in perhaps a mild way I expressed an opinion that it was not quite enough, and Mr. Hornsby, in a more determined way, said it was an impossibility. Ultimately we agreed on the 10s. 6d. rate and now we have found it is impossible to work the town on a 10s.6d. rate. There have been new expenses and new methods, and the water, too, has made the expenses higher than for some years, but in a growing town there is bound to be expense, and with the development there is going to be this expense has got to be met. “When we consider the social services, and the other services which are very helpful to the health of the people, I don’t think it can be said that there has been any waste or extravagance. It is simply that in the past we thought we could work the town on a 10s. 6d. rate, and it is impossible. For two years we have let the inhabitants have the benefit of a 10s. 6d. rate which really ought to have been 11s. 6d.” Mr. Roe Speaks Out Mr. Roe launched his criticisms in seething terms. “I congratulate Mr. Capon,” he said, “but it is a very great shock to find that he is compelled to ask for 1s. 6d. increase. “I remember that twelve months ago the present Vice-Chairman particularly asked that each committee should be as economical as possible, but I am bound to say that this is the last thing that has been considered. As far as I can see, there has been very little economy practised. “You know perfectly well that a year ago most of the assessments in the town, particularly those in the High-street where many of the shops are, were increased very considerably. The Council have had the benefit of those increased assessments, and now on top of that we are going to get a 1s. 6d. increase of rate. “Well, I can tell you that the tradespeople of the town will be very greatly alarmed by the increase, because they are going to pay twice over. On a shop assessed at £100 it means £7 10s. extra a year, and they are not in a position to pay it. “Many of the expenses could be cut down without detriment to the town. As I tried to point out a fortnight ago certain expenses not estimated for twelve months ago were passed by the Council – the new lighting and the improvement at Spencer Park – and I quite think that if they had been included in the estimates for this year, the Finance Committee would have cut them out. They are not absolutely urgent.” Light For Motorists! “This extra lighting,” continued Mr. Roe with rising warmth, “is to assist motorists principally. It is of no particular benefit to the ratepayers; we have reduced speed through the built-up areas, and it is not so necessary. “I think these things have got to be considered, and I do hope that each committee this year will endeavour to cut down the expenses, because if they don’t it means 13s. next year. “Think of the money we have spent! Over £4,000 out of the balances; we have spent the money that has come from the increased assessments, and I think it is wrong altogether. I know a private business would not do it; but it seems that on the Council anything they want is simply passed, and the ratepayers have got to pay for it. “I did intend to move an amendment that it be 11s. 6d., but Mr. Capon has given such a lucid explanation that I don’t think we can do it. But I do hope the Council will apply the axe a little more forcibly than it has in the past; otherwise I don’t know where we shall get.” “I take a rather different view,” said Mr. Coles, “and what I want to take exception to is this: I ask Councillor Roe to look at the increased expenditure of the Water Board and on the housing estate. It is a shilling towards the increase, and you will notice that the committees in general have kept well within their limits. Some of them have not spent as much as was allowed for. Mr. Coles Satisfied “I can assure the ratepayers that not a single penny has been wasted. Personally, I do not regret the spending of a single penny. So long as you are giving the ratepayers value for money and give public service, then it is very cheap at 12s.” Mr. Allebone, adding his congratulations, said he knew how difficult it was and remembering what he said last year he was not at all surprised that they were faced with an increased rate. It was pretty obvious that the way they were going on could not be maintained. In 1932, when they had a balance of £10,000, they were budgeting for an uneconomic rate. They had come down now to an economic rate, and that would be maintained now year by year. If the Council built up a huge reserve they would be putting money into the exchequer that they would have no use for, but as long as they budgeted for their due demands, with a reasonable allowance for emergencies, he did not think they would go far wrong. “We are all desirous of doing what we can for the town,” continued Mr. Allebone, “but I think it is only right that we should bear in mind what we are contributing for specific purposes. There are one or two things that are somewhat alarming, and before a bold suggestion is brought forward, I hope the councillors will consider what we are spending in these particular matters. Some suggestions were made to a particular committee some weeks ago, and when it was pointed out what those services were providing the suggestions were withdrawn. I ask members in future to consider the rate before they make the suggestions. That is the economic principle the Council must carry on with if we are going to meet our expenditure.” The rest of the article is on the fold of the paper and half of each line is unreadable.
|
|||
|
