The Annual Budget
District Rate 5/0 in the £
The Council and The Unemployed

  A meeting of this Council was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday night, when there were present: Messrs. G. H. Skinner (chairman), F. Knight (vice-chairman), G. Miller, F. Ballard, J. S. Clipson, T. Swindall, J. Claridge, J. Paragreen, W. Bazeley, C. Bates, and A. J. Dobbs, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. W. G. F. Kingston).

Councillor Bayes’ Illness

  In reply to the vote of sympathy with Councillor C. E. Bayes in his illness, passed at the last meeting, a letter was received from Mrs. Bayes, thanking the Council and saying that Mr. Bayes hoped soon to be able to attend the Council meetings again.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 28^th April, 1909, when there were present:- Messrs. G. H. Skinner, F. Knight, W. Bazeley, C. Bates, J. Claridge, and T. Swindall.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Skinner be appointed Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committee

  The following Sub-Committee was appointed:-

  Lighting and fire Brigade:- The Chairman with Messrs. C. Bates and J. Claridge.

Plans

were presented by:-

  The Central Machinery Company for workshop and depot in Rectory-road and passed.

  Mr. A. Allebone for house on the Wellingborough-road and passed.

  The Co-operative Wholesale Society for additions to the boiler-house to their factory in Portland-road and sanitary conveniences to the new stock room in Rectory-road and passed.

Kilburn Place and Elm Street

  The Surveyor submitted plans, estimates, and specifications for the making up of these streets under the Private Street Works Act amounting to £160/6/4 and £122/8/6 respectively.

  It was resolved that same be submitted to the Council at their next meeting with a recommendation that same be approved.

Public Lighting

  It was resolved to discontinue full street lighting on the 9^th May.  The summer lighting to be as usual.

Road Materials

  The Surveyor was instructed to write to the firms who tendered last year inviting them to again send in tenders for the ensuing year’s supply of road materials.

District Roads

  The Surveyor was instructed to tar-paint the district roads where he considered it desirable.

Fire Brigade

  The annual report of the Fire Brigade was submitted, from which it appeared that the Brigade had only received one call during the year 1908.  A list of the attendances of the Brigade at drill during the past year was also submitted.

  The Committee considered the report very satisfactory.

  It was resolved to have the large doors at the station re-painted, and the Surveyor was instructed to obtain a price and put the work in hand.

  The report was adopted.

Finance And Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings, on Wednesday, the 5^th May, 1909, at 10 a.m., when there were present:- Messrs. G. H. Skinner, F. Knight, F. Ballard, J. Claridge, and W. Bazeley.

Chairman

  It was unanimously resolved that Mr. Knight be chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

Surveyor’s Cash Account

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

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The Committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts from which it appeared that the following sum had been paid to him on the following account since the last meeting:-

  And that the following balances were in hand on the undermentioned accounts:-

Tradesmen’s And Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £335/13/7 were examined and passed for payment.

Estimates

  The estimates for the ensuing year were considered.  The total estimated expenditure amounted to £10,902/18/0, the estimated receipts were £2,361/13/5 leaving the sum of £8,541/4/7 to be provided for.  The assessable value of the district for the General District Rate is £33,920/1/0 and a 1/0 rate produces £1,651 after allowing for irrecoverables.

  It was resolved that the estimates be printed and submitted to the next ordinary meeting of the Council with a recommendation to approve the same and to fix the rate to be levied for the year at 5/0 in the £ and that a rate at 2/6 in the £ be forthwith made on account thereof.

  Mr. Knight moved the adoption of the report.

  Mr. Swindall moved that the estimates be referred to a committee of the whole Council.

  Mr. Dobbs thought they should be discussed, whether by the open Council or in committee.

  Mr. Claridge thought it was better to discuss the estimates in the open Council meeting.

  Mr. Dobbs said he would prefer that way. 

  Mr. Knight said he had understood that that was what would be done.  The requirements this year were very similar to those of last year.

  The Clerk then gave an explanation of the estimates in detail.  In the course of it, he said the estimated expenditure last year was £10,964/18/0, and the amount actually expended was £10,716/11/3.  There was an apparent saving of about £250, but that was accounted for by an amount of £270 not having yet been spent on private streets, and the real expenditure was about £23 more than the estimates.  The receipts last year were estimated at £10,492/2/0, while £10,608/14/11, £116 more, was actually received.  The expenditure thus exceeded the revenue by £108, whereas it was estimated that it would be exceeded by nearly £500.  The actual income of the Council for the twelve months chargeable against the rate exceeded the actual expenditure by about £10, so that sufficient revenue was raised to cover all outgoings, which was very satisfactory. (Hear, hear.)  It was interesting to note that the receipts last year for the use of the steam-roller were sufficient to provide for the Council’s own roads being rolled for nothing, and leave a balance to the good of £312/7/1.  This year, the total amount of receipts, apart from the rate, were estimated at £2,361/13/5, and the total expenditure would be £10,902/18/0.  The rate of 5/0 in the £ which was proposed would raise £8,255, and it was estimated there would be a cash balance at the end of the year of £972 as against a starting balance of about £1,200.  Included in the expenditure this year was a contribution to the Water Board of £4,004/16/10, as against £4,045/1/1 last year.  The Council might hope that year by year this contribution would now decrease, and in three years’ time they could look for a big decrease, as the Board would have paid off the special loan.

  Mr. Ballard remarked that although they had a 5s. Rate, half the expenditure, roughly speaking, was for the water scheme.

  The Chairman was glad that an increased rate was not needed.

  Mr. Bates was sorry that no provision had been made for another public convenience.  It could not be urged that there was now a lack of water.

  Mr. Knight:  If we only had as much money as water, we could do it.

  Mr. Dobbs moved that £40 instead of £20, be included in the estimates for the improvement of the ditch in Washbrook-road.  If his motion were accepted the improvement could be completed next year.

  Mr. Bates seconded the motion.

  The Chairman:  It has been like it ever since I have been in Rushden, though there’s no doubt it ought to be altered.

  Mr. Claridge said he would like to see the improvement carried out, but he did not think they ought to incur any expense beyond what had been estimated for.  He was sure they were much indebted to the Chairman and the officials last year for carrying out the estimates as closely as they did.  Great care must have been taken by Mr. Madin and they were much indebted to him and the officials generally.  He hoped there would be the same care this year.

  Mr. Bates:  We all feel that the officials have done their duty well, but if we can get rid of a great nuisance for £20 I think it ought to be done.

  Mr. Ballard said he felt as strongly about the matter as anyone, but he understood they were carrying out an understanding come to last year to spend £20 a year on the improvement. 

  Mr. Bazeley said he thought it was hoped at first to carry out the improvement in three years, but last year the Finance Committee did not expect the estimates to turn out so well as they did and so only provided last year for the spending of £20.  He thought they might very well spend £40 this year and so complete the work in three years instead of five.

  Mr. Swindall strongly opposed the amendment, and thought Mr. Dobbs should be quite satisfied with the spending of £20 on his pet scheme.

  The amendment was lost.

  Mr. Bazeley called attention to the fact that the Council had an unexpended loan, which was raised for the purpose of providing stables with a view to the Council doing their own scavenging.  He contended that if they did their own scavenging the work would be done much better and would cost less.  At Kettering, where the Council did their own, the cost was 3s.  11d. Per load as against 5s. a load at Rushden.  He moved that the amount put down in the estimates for Bank interest on the loan, £9  12s., be reduced to £8.

  Mr. Ballard said he was thoroughly in sympathy with Mr. Bazeley’s motion, but he thought it would be better to deal with the matter at a later date.

  Mr. Bazeley said he was quite prepared to accept that suggestion but he thought it would not be fair if he did not mention it while the estimates were under discussion.

  Mr. Dobbs moved that £100 be added to the estimates to provide work for the unemployed, and said it was stated that there were in the town between 200 and 300 unemployed.  The Guild of Help, though willing, found it impossible to deal adequately with the distress.  Something ought to be done publicly, and no doubt Parliament would have to take the matter up eventually.  He believed if local Councils took the question up, the hands of Parliament would be forced.  A number of unemployed were necessary for industry at the present time, and seeing that that was so the people to whom they were necessary ought to pay something towards their maintenance and help them over periods of distress.  He knew what it was to be out of work and that was why he brought the matter up.  There were people in Rushden to-day who had to pawn their clothes for food.  The matter could not be dealt with by private charity, and although the rate was 5/- in the £ he thought the Council ought to do something and show other Councils the way to go.

  Mr. Bates seconded the motion and thought the Council might take action.  The public had responded very poorly to the appeals of the Guild of Help.

  The Chairman:  But the unemployed want work at their own trade.

  Mr. Paragreen was quite in sympathy with Mr. Dobbs’ motion.

  Mr. Claridge said he was very sorry indeed there were so many unemployed but he did not see what use £100 would be or what work they could provide.

  Mr. Dobbs said he was quite prepared to accept an amendment to the effect that the amount be increased, if Mr. Claridge wished.

  The amendment was lost of 5 votes to 4.

  Mr. Knight said he thought everyone would be glad to carry out the improvement in Washbrook-road, but very careful management was needed to keep the rate down to 5/0.  He thought they ought to strain every nerve to keep down expenditure now, and when they had repaid the short loan they would then be able to carry out many more improvements than they had been able to take in hand lately.

  The report was then adopted, and the rate was afterwards sealed.

Health And Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 5^th May, 1909, at 7 p.m. when there were present:- Messrs. G. H. Skinner, F. Knight, F. Ballard, J. S. Clipson, and J. Paragreen.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Knight be Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committees

  The following Sub-Committees were appointed:-

  Cemetery: The Chairman with Messrs. Ballard, Clipson, and Dobbs.

  Farm: Messrs. Skinner, Bayes, and Paragreen.

Health And Sanitary Reports

  The Medical Officer reported that nine cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, viz., four of scarlatina and five of diphtheria.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the month of April 21 informal notices had been served calling attention to nuisances etc., which had for the most part received attention.

  The Inspector also reported that 28 visits had been made to houses where infectious disease had occurred.  11 houses had been thoroughly fumigated together with the Newton-road Infants schools.

  The Inspector also gave a list of Inspections made during the month.

Sanitary Inspectors’ Association

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the Sanitary Inspector, as their representative to attend the annual Conference of the Sanitary Inspectors’ Association to be held in Glasgow on the 28^th June to the 3^rd July next.

Medical Officer Of Health

  The letter from the Local Government Board as to the appointment of Dr. Morris, referred to this Committee by the Council at their last meeting, was considered.  The Committee whilst agreeing with the suggestion of the Local Government Board as to the desirability of combining with the neighbouring districts for the purpose of employing a medical gentleman to give the whole of his time to the work were of opinion that the scheme at the present time was impracticable having regard to the Urban Districts concerned and the present appointments.  The Committee further considered that the initiation in any such scheme should come from the Local Government Board and did not see how this Council could approach other Councils with a view of them dispensing with the services of their present Medical Officers in favour of a whole time officer.

Pig Keeping

  The Clerk reported with regard to the proceedings taken against Mr. W. W. Smith for a breach of the Council’s Nuisance Bye-laws, that he had received from the Clerk to the Justices a formal Order under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, stating that the Court thought the charge was proved, but were of opinion that having regard to the extenuating circumstances under which the offence was committed it was inexpedient to inflict any punishment and the charge was accordingly dismissed.

Refuse Receptacles

  The Inspector of Nuisances reported that in accordance with instructions given to him at the last meeting of the Council nine Notices for the provision of refuse receptacles had been served with the following results:-

  Mr. Chas. Wright had provided dustbins for Nos. 1 to 10 Upper Queen-street.

  Mr. G. Selwood had provided dustbins for 72 and 74, Harborough-road.

  Mr. J. S. Mason and Mr. J. Sargent had given orders for dustbins for 63 and 67 Little-street, 4 to 18 Harborough-road and Nos. (?) to 21, South Terrace respectively.

  Mrs. Bromage had supplied wooden tubs tarred on the outside for Nos. 37 to 47 Harborough-road.

  Mr. George Bayes had provided wooden tubs tarred on the outside for Nos. 80, 84, 86 and 88, Wellingborough-road, a wooden box for No. 82, an untarred wooden barrel for Nos. 90 and 92, and one wooden tub tarred on the outside for the two unnumbered houses at the rear of Nos. 76 and 78 and nothing for Nos. 76 and 78, Wellingborough-road.

  Mr. W. Wilkerson and Mr. Claude Green had not complied with the Notices.

  The wooden tubs held approximately ??? gallons, they were tarred on the outside and provided with covers, but, in his opinion, were not at all suitable for the purpose as they were constructed of thin soft wood and would soon become damaged and rotten.

  The Clerk submitted a letter which he had received from the Local Government Board enclosing copy of a letter which had been addressed to that Board by Mr. George Bayes with reference to the notice served on him and requesting the observations of the Council thereon.

  The letter from Mr. Bayes referred to was an appeal to the Local Government Board against the notice served by the Council requiring him to provide portable receptacles for his property on the Wellingborough-road.

  The Clerk was instructed to inform the Local Government Board as to the methods of scavenging house refuse in the district and the change made therein last year

necessitating in the Council’s opinion better and more substantial receptacles for the deposit of house refuse.  The Clerk was also instructed to forward to the Local government Board a copy of the report of the Committee upon which the Council ordered the notice to be served with an expression of opinion that the construction of the ashpits suggested by Mr. Bayes would not meet the case and that the wooden tubs as now supplied by him were not satisfactory.

  Mr. Bazeley, referring to the case against Mr. W. W. Smith, said he noticed that notice of appeal was given on the Council’s behalf.

  The Clerk said the notice was given in the expectation that a decision might be given against the Council on a technical point, but the case was dealt with under the Probation Act, and there was therefore no appeal.

  Mr. Bazeley said it looked as though there was one law for the rich and another for the poor.

  Mr. Miller:  Are we quite in order?  We have appealed to Caesar.

  Mr. Bazeley thought he was quite in order in expressing an opinion on the subject.

  The report was adopted.

Guild Of Help

  A letter was received from the Guild of Help, asking the Council to appoint two delegates to the Guild, and it was resolved that the Chairman and Mr. Ballard should be the representatives.

A Hoarding Objected To

  Mr. Dobbs drew attention to a hoarding erected at the junction of Higham-road and Kimbolton-road and asked if the Council had any control over such erections.  The hoarding referred to was very objectionable, he thought.

  The Clerk:  It is possible for the Council to rate them, and if that were done it would probably bring in about £30.

  Mr. Clipson thought the hoarding referred to by Mr. Dobbs was likely to ba a source of danger.

  No action was taken.