The Housing of The Working Classes
A Hundred Dwellings Wanted
Control of Food Supplies
Public Health

  Wednesday, present Councillors John Spencer, J.P. (chairman), T. Wilmott (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J.P., J. S. Clipson, J. Claridge, J.P., C.C., C. Bates, The Ven. A. Kitchin, M.A., T. Swindall, and G. H. Skinner, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. J. Allen).

Council in Committee

  A meeting of the whole Council in Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, August 22^nd, 1917, when there were present:- Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), T. Wilmott, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, F. Knight and T. Swindall.

Housing of The Working Classes

  The Committee had under consideration the circular letter and form accompanying same submitted to the Council at the last meeting.  The form was duly filled up with the information required.  The Committee estimated the number of houses required at 100, and expressed the opinion that sites for these houses suitable both as regards position and cost could be acquired by the Council by agreement without material delay.

  The following Sub-Committee was appointed to make inquiries as to suitable sites and report as soon as possible to a further meeting of the Committee: The Chairman, Messrs. T. Wilmott, W. Bazeley, and F. Knight.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Kitchin asked if the intention of the Council was to build houses in different parts of the town.

  The Chairman: What the committee have to do at first is to select certain sites.

  Mr. Kitchin: I wanted to know if you felt that houses were more needed in one part of the town than in another, or if you would obtain the land where it could be had.

  The Chairman: We have not got so far as that at present.

Food Control Committee

  At the first meeting of this Committee, held at the Council Buildings, Rushden, on Wednesday, August 22^nd, 1917, present: Mr. John Spencer (in the chair), Messrs. C. Bates, W. Bazeley, W. E. Capon, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, W. J. Cure, F. Knight, W. W. Rial, T. Swindall, G. Tailby, and Mrs. Wilson.

  The Clerk of the Council read to the Committee the circular letter of the Food Controller to the President of the Local Government Board explaining the purposes for which the Committee was appointed.

  Form M.G. (2) Sugar Distribution was supplied to each member of the Committee.

  Form M.G. (1) with regard to the establishment of a Food Control Committee was also submitted.

  This form stated that the first duty of the Committee was to secure the services of a responsible executive officer, and to obtain suitable accommodation for a Local Food Office.

Food Office

  The Clerk stated that he was willing to place at the disposal of the Committee, free of charge, a room at his offices, No. 135, High-street, Rushden, and this was accepted.

Executive Officer

  It was resolved that Mr. C. W. Wing be appointed to the position of responsible executive officer, it being understood that he would have one whole-time Clerk permanently in the office, and it was left with the Clerk of the Council to engage a suitable person to act as such Clerk.

Future Meetings

  It was resolved that the next meeting be called when any business arose requiring attention, and that meetings be held as far as possible on Wednesday evenings.

  The report was adopted.

Council in Committee

  A meeting of the whole Council in Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, August 29^th, 1917, when there were present Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), T. Wilmott, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, F. Knight, and T. Swindall.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 18 preliminary notices had been issued, calling attention to nuisances, etc., all of which were receiving attention.

  The Inspector also reported that the sanitary convenience at a builder’s yard in High-street was in a very insanitary condition, thereby causing a nuisance.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to serve a notice on the occupier requiring him to provide a proper w.c. forthwith.

  One lot of infected bedding had been destroyed after a death from consumption, and the room sprayed and fumigated.  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 for the past month.

Factory Acts

  The Sanitary Inspector also reported that 38 notices had been sent to factories relating to the giving out of work, 27 lists had been received relating to 90 out-workers receiving work inside the District, and to 38 out-workers working outside the District.

Co-Op Row

  The Inspector also reported that up to the present no satisfactory arrangements had been made by the owners for repairing this road.

Plans

Were presented for:-

  A leather store in Harborough-road for Mr. Geo. Warner, and passed.

  A store barn and cycle house at the rear of No. 53, Park-road, for Mr. Frank Sharwood, and passed.

  A coal shed in Allen-road for Messrs. W. Green & Son, and no exception taken.

  A new chimney shaft to factory in Spencer-road, for Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, and passed.

  Messrs. Spencer, Wilmott and Swindall were appointed a Sub-Committee to visit and inspect the carpenters’ workshop in Moor-road, which it was reported was being used as a boot factory, and report to the next meeting.

Public Lighting

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to commence street lighting to the same extent as last year on Monday, September 17^th, 1917.

King’s-Road

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to require Messrs. Miller and Skinner to complete this road, in accordance with the covenant in the conveyance of the land, without further delay.

  The report was adopted.

Finance & Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Tuesday, September 4^th, 1917, at 10 a.m., when there were present Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), T. Wilmott, C. Bates, J. Claridge, and Fred Knight.

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 since the last meeting:-

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 following balances were in hand:-

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £709  18s.  9d. were examined and passed for payment.

  The report was adopted.

Fete

  The committee of the Red Cross Fete wrote inviting the members of the Urban Council to join in the procession.

  Mr. Claridge thought it was a mistake to have the procession starting from Higham Ferrers.  He thought it would have been much better to meet in the Recreation Ground.

  It was stated that several of the members would be in the parade in other capacities, so that it would be difficult for the Council to attend in a body.