Last Warning As To Subsidies On Houses

Taking Over Railway Station Approach

Swimming Bath Loan Asked For

  Wednesday, present Messrs. Charles Claridge, J.P. (chairman), J. Hornsby (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. C. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, C. W. Horrell, C.A., L. Perkins, M.B.E., J. Spencer, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., W. Bazeley, J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 20^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), C. Claridge, A. Allebone, W. Bazeley, J. Allen, F. Corby, and J. Roe.

Rent Arrears

  The committee again had before them the list of arrears up to the 19^th inst., and found that several of the tenants had made little or no effort to reduce the amount as at the last meeting.

  The committee accordingly resolved to recommend the Council to serve notices to quit on one tenant in Kings-road, four in Trafford-road, and four in Oval-road.

New Sewers

  The Surveyor was instructed to proceed with the laying of the new sewer for the Irchester-road district at his convenience.

Housing, Etc., Act, 1923

Subsidies To Private Owners

  The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the Minister of Health approving the extension of the Council’s scheme for assisting private enterprise for the erection of houses under the provisions of this Act for a further period on the understanding that the approved number of 132 houses would not be exceeded without the Minister’s prior approval.  In issuing further certificates the Council should limit their promise of assistance to such houses as were to be commenced by December 31^st next and completed by June 30^th, 1927.

  The letter further stated that the Minister had decided that houses that are completed by October 31^st, 1927, will be eligible for the present rates of subsidy.

Housing Act, 1924

  The Clerk submitted a statement with regard to the 38 houses built under this Act subject to special conditions.  Taking the period for the first six months – namely, from March 31^st to September 30^th this year – the rents actually received amounted to £443  17s.  8d.  The grant from the Ministry for the half-year would be £171, and that from the Council £85  10s., making the total receipts £700  7s.  8d.  The loan charges amounted to £488  5s.  5d., rates to £147  1s.  8d., and repairs fund, management expenses, fire insurance, and irrecoverables to £79  6s.  3d., making the total expenditure £714  13s.  4d., leaving a deficiency for the first six months of £14  5s.  8d.

  Taking the second half-year, from September 30^th to March 31^st., 1927. the estimated receipts were:  From rent, £511  14s.  8d.; and from subsidies, £256  10s.; making a total of £768  4s.  8d.  The loan charges amount to £488  5s.  5d., the rates to £153  11s.  8d., and the repairs fund etc., to £91  1s.  3d., making the total expenditure £733  8s.  4d., leaving a surplus for the second half-year of £34  16s.  4d.

  The report was adopted.

  On the above report Mr. Perkins said that the notice given to tenants in Council houses had not been given hurriedly.  The defaulting tenants had not progressed, but had retrogressed.  Under the Housing Act of 1924, known as the “Wheatley Act,” rents depended a good deal on the expenses of management.  If those expenses could be substantially reduced, rents could be kept lower.  If there were arrears of rent, they were carried forward as expenses, preventing the lowering of rents.  The losses thus had to be borne by the people living in those houses by keeping the rents up.  On the question of subsidies, Mr. Perkins said that this was about the last chance people would have of getting a subsidy.  For the benefit of people who were still not quite clear on the fact of the subsidy of £100, he would repeat that it was a gift and would not be collected from house-owners at some future time.

  Mr. Wilmott thought the surplus on 38 houses of £34  16s.  4d. was small, considering that the houses were newly built.  Upkeep would cost more, he said, as time went on, and it did not look as if there would be much chance of reducing the rents.

  Mr. Tarry considered the position very satisfactory, and suggested that instead of reducing the rents they be kept at their present level, and so build up a reserve fund for future contingencies.

  Members:  You cannot do that.

  Mr. Bazeley said it would be better not to commit themselves until the end of another twelve months, when they could review the position again.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Perkins pointed out that depreciation had been allowed for, and said it would be illegal to save £34 each half-year.  They must lower the rents instead of save money as long as the loan was not repaid.

Baths and Parks Committee

  A meeting of the Baths and Parks Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 20^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge (in the chair), G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, L. Perkins, and J. Roe.

Swimming Bath

  The Surveyor reported that the plans and estimates were now practically ready for submission to the Ministry of Health.  The estimated cost, however, had increased owing to various alterations in the plans.

  The Clerk pointed out that the present application for a loan for the works was for £4,000, and if the sum required for works and land exceeded this amount it would be necessary for an amended application.

  It was resolved to request the Chairman to convene a special meeting of the Council on Wednesday, October 27, to receive the amended plans and pass a resolution applying for sanction to the raising of a loan for the total amount required.

  The report was adopted.

  Minutes of the above-mentioned meeting were read by the Clerk, stating that the Surveyor presented his estimate of the cost of the swimming bath.  Mr. Bates had moved that application be made to the Ministry of Health for sanction to borrow £4,750 for the purpose of constructing and equipping an open-air swimming bath.  Mr. Coles had seconded the motion.  There voted for the motion Messrs. Bates, Coles, Bazeley, Spencer, Horrell, Allen, Greenfield, Allebone, Hornsby, and Swindall and the chairman (Mr. Claridge).  Against the motion votes were given by Messrs. Knight, Wilmott, Tarry, Corby, and Newberry.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 27^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge (chairman), G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:

  House and shop on the Irchester road for Mrs. E. Page, and passed.

  Wooden building for Mr. J. Boddington at rear of No. 7, Irchester-road, and referred back for further particulars as to proposed user.

  New club buildings for the Windmill Club in Windmill-road, and passed subject to the drainage arrangements being to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.

  Small shed for Mr. F. Palmer at rear of No. 42 Spencer-road, and no exception taken.

Factory Acts

Means Of Escape In Case Of Fire

  A letter was received from Messrs. Green and Coe, Ltd., informing the committee that Mr. Packwood had been instructed to prepare a plan showing improved means of escape in case of fire at their factory, but there had been some delay owing to Mr. Packwood being away.  A plan was now submitted showing Mr. Packwood’s proposals for an outside staircase, but was not considered satisfactory, and the Clerk was requested to ask Messrs. Green and Coe to kindly instruct Mr. Packwood to confer with the Surveyor with a view to an amended plan being prepared.

  Referring to the letter received from Messrs. G. Warner, Ltd., it was reported that no plan had yet been submitted by Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin as promised, and the Clerk was instructed to inform Messrs. Warner that this must be done forthwith.

Bedford-Road Footpath

  A letter was received from the Rushden branch of the Boot and Shoe Operatives’ Union calling attention to the danger to pedestrians using Bedford-road from the fast motor traffic owing to the absence of a footpath, and asking that one might be constructed from High-street South to Wymington turn.

  A letter from the Clerk to the County Council was also read, stating that the Roads and Bridges Committee had received a similar communication, and asking to be supplied with the views of this Council thereon.

  The committee were agreed that both the culverting of the brook near the Tecnic boot factory and the construction of the footpath suggested were urgently required for the protection of the public using the main road to Bedford, and the Surveyor was instructed to prepare a complete scheme for submission to the County Council with a view to the cost being included in next year’s estimates of main road expenditure and to submit to the next meeting an estimate of the cost of providing a temporary fence alongside the open brook.

Shirley-Road

  The Surveyor reported that the work of making-up the upper portion of this road had now been completed, and the Clerk informed the committee that the expenses had been paid by the abutting owners.

  It was resolved that the street be now declared a public highway repairable by the inhabitants at large.

Wellingborough-Road

  The Surveyor asked for instructions as to proceeding with the improvement work in this road as provided for in the estimates, and it was resolved to recommend the Council that he be instructed forthwith.

  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, November 3^rd, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), C. Claridge, J. Allen, W. Bazeley, F. Corby, D. G. Greenfield, T. Swindall, and W. C. Tarry.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 51 nuisances had been dealt with, of which 21 had been abated.

  Fifty visits had been made to premises where food was prepared to sold, during which inspections a small quantity of beef offal to the weight of 1 qr. 2lb. Had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.  Generally, the animals slaughtered had been of good quality and free from disease.

  Eight rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease.  At the Depot a quantity of bedding and wearing apparel had been disinfected, and a quantity destroyed at the Sewage Farm, also after cases of infectious disease.

  An application was received from Mrs. S. Cook, of No. 32, Brookfield-road, for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d.

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

Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act

  The Inspector also reported that two complaints had been received and investigated under this Act.

Public Health and Clean Milk

  The Inspector submitted reports on the bacteriological examinations of four samples of milk taken in this district.  One of the cases, which was a second examination, showed great improvement and was considered satisfactory.  The Inspector was instructed to communicate with the other purveyors with a view to the dairies being kept in a better condition.

  A circular was received from the Education Committee of the County Council stating that a course of lectures on “Public Health and Clean Milk” was being arranged, the fee for which was £2  2s.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Sanitary Inspector to attend.

Sewage Farm

  The Farm Sub-Committee reported that, as arranged, the sale of the crops was held on October 11^th and realised £111  18s.  6d., a slight decrease compared with last year.

Imperial War Graves Commission

  A letter was received from the Area Inspector stating that the Commission wished to make arrangements for the maintenance of the war graves in Rushden Cemetery if they were not already being looked after by the relatives.  There are 15 such graves in the Cemetery, in most cases looked after by the relatives.

  The committee resolved to recommend the Council themselves to undertake the responsibility of maintenance, and the Cemetery Sub-Committee were instructed to visit the Cemetery and give the care-taker all necessary instructions.

  The Clerk was instructed to inform the Inspector of the Council’s decision in the matter.

Public Convenience

  The Surveyor was instructed to forthwith obtain tenders for the reconstruction of the convenience near the railway bridge.

  The report was adopted.

Rectory-Road Opening

  The seal of the Council was affixed to an agreement with the L.M.S. Railway Company to take over the road from Beaconsfield-terrace on the terms already agreed on.

  In reply to Mr. Coles, the Clerk said that the road would not be a public road solely on the sealing of the agreement.  It would have to be put into condition first.

  On the presentation of the Gas Examiners’ report, Mr. Coles asked whether there was a chance of getting more street lamps, as it was dangerous in some streets.

  The Clerk said there could not be any more allowed by the Gas Company until the coal industry was restarted.

  The Chairman assured the Council that as soon as the Gas Company allowed them to light more public street lamps the Council would have them lighted.

Price Of Gas

  Notice being received of an application to be made by gas companies to apply for powers to increase the price of gas until next June, Mr. Perkins said he thought that that was an unduly pessimistic view to take, and he wondered whether such power should be given.

  The Clerk said it would not make a penny difference to what the consumer would be charged.  It would give gas companies power to continue their present dividends.  The price of gas had gone up, and probably would again.

  Mr. Knight said that the Rushden Gas Company had lost thousands of pounds in the last six months owing to the cost of coal.  It was very reasonable, and he only wondered that the price had not been raised sooner.  It had been raised in nearly every town in the country.

County Agricultural Show

  On the proposition of Mr. Horrell, seconded by Mr. Spencer, the Council formally decided to invite the Northants Agricultural Show Committee to hold the show at Rushden next year.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, November 4^th, 1926 at 10.00 a.m., when there were present Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, A. Allebone, J. Hornsby, G. W. Coles, C. Bates, F. Corby, F. Knight and J. Roe.

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £2,159  1s.  7d. were examined and passed for payment.

Irchester-Road Housing Site

  The Clerk reported the receipt from the Ministry of Health of a sanction to the borrowing by the Council of a sum of £2,175 for the purchase of further land on the Irchester-road housing site, and it was resolved to recommend the Council that he be instructed to negotiate same on the best terms possible.

Irchester-Road Sewer Loan, £1,250

  The Clerk also reported that he had made arrangements with the local branch of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives to advance this loan at 5 per cent. subject to the usual six-months redemption clause.

  The committee approved.

Newton-Road Improvement

  The Surveyor reported that this improvement was now complete.  The total cost of the works was £750  5s.  3d., towards which the Ministry of Transport had contributed £179.  The amount outstanding was a sum of £47  16s.  4d. due to the contractor.  It was resolved to recommend the Council that this be paid forthwith. 

Jubilee Park

  The Clerk reported that he had received from the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, Ltd., a cheque for £700 to enable the Council to acquire a public recreation ground on Bedford-road and equip the same.

  The committee resolved to recommend the Council to accept the sum on this understanding.

  They also resolved to recommend the Council to acquire a field of 8a. 3r. 14p. abutting on the main road to Bedford from the Co-operative Society at a cost of £360 and to pay to the Co-operative Society  the sum of £340 for works already executed by them in part equipment of the ground.

  The report was adopted.

  Dr. Greenfield asked if “Jubilee Park” was the official name of the new park.

  Mr. Claridge: It is the name given by the Co-operative Society.

  Dr. Greenfield: I don’t know whether there would be any misconstruction of the name, but I had thought of the name “Wheatsheaf.”  A good many memorials in the country with the name “Jubilee” are associated with Queen Victoria.  I don’t know whether some other name could be chosen which would still convey the fact that the park is a gift which the Co-operative Society has kindly made to the town.

  Mr. Coles:  The name has been approved by the donors of the park.  Also, there is a bronze engraving of the name on the entrance gate.

A Later Post?

  Mr. Roe asked if there had been any reply to the Clerk’s letter asking the postal authorities to reinstitute the later evening dispatch of a mail bag.  Only the previous evening he had had to send an assistant to Wellingborough to post letters.

  The Clerk replied that he had merely had an acknowledgement of his letter.

  The Chairman said that something ought to be done, and they must press on with the matter.