South Yorkshire Times April 25
Union View on Fuel Plan still Awaited.
Although Conisbrough Urban Council have already decided to utilise gas central heating systems in multi-storey flats to be built in Denaby, feeling among local miners may persuade them to change their minds in favour of solid fuel systems.
Cllr J Prendergast, chairman of the Councils Housing Committee, which recommended a warm air gas eating for the four-storey, “star – plan” flats to be built off Balby Street, Denaby, revealed on Wednesday that the Council would be willing to talk the matter over if NUM representatives at Denaby and Cadeby collieries would let them know the feelings of the men.
The statement followed reports that miners were “angry” that the Council were not going to install solid fuel systems.
Storage.
Council Prendergast said that the Council had chosen gas heating because they considered it most economic all and convenient. If solid fuel was used for heating, storage space in the flats – which could only call with about 2 hundredweights of fuel – would have to be considerably to take the miners 12 tons a year allowance.
There was also the question of the disposal of Ashes. This would necessitate provision of special disposal shoe is, and the purchase of special equipment for refuse collection, as none of the council vehicles could handle the large size disposal bins.
Councillor Prendergast added that the solid feel would have to be carried up three flights of stairs to the top flats. “We are as concerned about this matter as the miners are,” he added. “We have deferred the decisions since January to give the unit is a chance to express their opinions,” he said. “We asked them to find out if the men were prepared to put up with the inconvenience involved in solid fuel eating, but they gave us no decision. All this time the contract had been waiting for our decision.”
Consideration.
He concluded, “if the miners branches will consider the matter and give us their decision, we would be prepared to give it our further consideration.”
Commenting on the situation. Cllr Alf Haywood, Denaby NUM delegate and a member of Conisbrough Urban Council, pointed out that gas was regarded as a major threat to the coal industry and therefore solid fuel would be preferred for heating the flats.
“After all 90% of the population are mining families. Coal is their livelihood.”
He said, “The gas industry is buying a lot less coal from us nowadays. They have started importing liquid gas and there is talk of North Sea tapping for gas deposits. If that happens it will hit the coal industry on the head as far as gas is concerned.”
Mr Hayward concluded, “I would like it to be said that the unit is trying to rule the Council over this. The views of the men will be sought through general branch meetings and they expressed the Council. But the decision is theirs.”