Conisborough Parish Council – Treasurer, Footpath, Fire Brigade, Water Supply

March 1895

Mexborough and Swinton Times March 8, 1895

Conisborough Parish Council

The monthly meeting of the Conisborough Parish Council was held on Wednesday night.

Mr S. Whitfield presided and the members present were Messrs. Marsh, Robinson, Holmes, Sharp, Norwood, Taylor, Gillott, Jones, Senior, Casey, Ogley and Booth.

Confirmation of the minutes.
On the minutes been presented for confirmation Mr Sharp took exception to the appointment of the council to enquire into this assessments. They had no locus standi in the matter of assessments and it was absurd to appoint a committee to deal with the matter in which they were not concerned

The Chairman said he regarded the matter as quite as important as anything else the council could take up

Mr F. Norwood said their overseers had the making of the assessment and as the council had the power of appointing the overseas he considered the question was one that certainly did come within their jurisdiction

It was eventually decided to confirm the minute as it stood.

Appointment of Treasurer
Mr. J. E. H. Drabble wrote accepting his appointment as treasurer and asking what amount of guarantee he would be required to find. – On the motion of Mr. Norwood which Mr Booth seconded, it was decided to ask for a guarantee of £300.

Obstruction of the footpath.
A letter was read from Mr Thomas Trout denying that he had caused any obstruction of the footpaths through his property

Mr Sharp said he thought that probably Mr Trout did not understand what the council meant. They complained that Mr Trout had put a railing across the entrance to the public footpath which went across the bottom of his garden. What the council wished for was that he should put something in the character of a style there so that ladies would be able to get over the railing. He moved that the council call upon him to do this, but the Chairman raised the question as to what where the councils powers in event of non-compliance, and it was ultimately decided to adjourn the matter until it could be certain how the council was empowered to act

Mr Holmes suggested that the committee which brought this matter forward should enquire into other similar cases

The Chairman: It is quite competent for you, the. Homes, to give them any other information respecting any of the cases.

Fire Brigade
Mr Jones reported that the council had attended a practice of the Fire Brigade as arranged and that during the practice five lengths of hose had burst, and the engine was practically useless. They had not more than 35 yards of hose fit for use

The Chairman: In short you want a new outfit

Mr Jones: Yes I have resolution on the subject

The Chairman: Does it involve any expenditure?

Mister. Jones: Yes

The Chairman: Then you must give notice.

Mr F. Sharp: I submit, sir, that Mr. Jones has made out a case of great public urgency, and under such circumstances it is possible for us to suspend the standing orders.

Mr Whitfield: Well, I would sooner spend money on a fire engine and anything else I know of, and so if the council is agreeable he may move the resolution.

Mister. Jones then moved that a committee be appointed to at once purchase a new manual fire engine, a new set of hose and the latest couplings. He stated that the cost would be about £150

Mr Sharp seconded, and this was agreed to – the committee appointed consisted of Messrs. Jones, Norwood, Booth, Sharp, and Casey.

Water supply
Mister. Holmes reported that the committee appointed to enquire into the water supply had been round the town and inspected the sources of supply, and they were of opinion that if they had the power to deal with the supply themselves, there was sufficient water for the needs of Conisborough without having water brought in outside. He also thought that something ought to be done to secure any oversupply of water there might be at Conisborough for their own needs and not let outsiders come and take it. He moved that the council put itself in communication with the district council at Doncaster with a view to obtaining powers to control the water supply.

This was agreed to.

Proposed Urban Powers – Mr Sharp move that the county council be asked to form the parish of Conisborough, and parts of Denaby and Cadeby into an Urban District with an Urban District Council. He dwelt upon the advantages that would occur to the parish in such an event, and mentioned that they would have the control of their own lighting, sewage, highways, building, et cetera.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

Precepts
It was resolved to issue a precept of £230 for parish council purposes, this being equal to a rate of 3d. In the £, and a recept of £152 the burial board purposes, this being equal to a precept of 2d. in the £.

Annual meeting
It was decided that the annual parish meeting be held on March 25, at 7 o’clock and that the annual meeting of the council be held on April 17

Mr Norwood moved that on the agenda of the parish meeting a memorandum be placed to ask the parish to vote a sum of money for the purpose of altering the cemetery chapel

This was agreed to.