South Yorkshire Times, January 19th 1952
Baths For Denaby
N.C.B.’s Ambitious Plans Before Conisbro’ Council
Coun. B. H. Shephard told Conisbrough Urban Council on Monday that their delay in considering plans’ submitted by the N.C.B. in connection with the proposed istallation of baths in houses owned by the Board In Denaby, was “not playing the game.”
The Highways Committee chairman, Coun. J T. E. Collins. explained that owing to the varying types of houses and the proposals as to where the baths’ were to be placed, the Committee considered that it, would be advisable for the matter to be gone into very carefully and that there should be an inspection of the various types of houses to see how best the plans could be operated and if any amendments would be necessary.
Coun. Shephard explained that both Denaby and Cadeby N. U. M. branches had met the management and it was pointed out to them that the N.C.B. proposed to install 40 baths this year, 640 next year and the remainder in the third year. There were 11 types of houses and plans could be passed for work to be started.
They knew there would be an increase in tne rents, but the amount had be placed before the tenants and all tenants would be given the option of having baths installed or not.
County Coun. B. Roberts, J.P. said he would like to see baths in the houses, but it was not advisable to put baths in unsuitable houses and he felt it right for the Council to make an inspection of the properties.
Mr Roberts added that he anticipated that, if baths were installed the rent increases would be from 2s. 6d to 4s. a week.
Coun. J. Prendergast said that all the Council welcomed the proposals, but unfortunately they had come 20 years too late. There was no members who wished to put a spoke in the proposals, but they wished to examine the proposals minutely. “We want to be sure that the alterations that are going to take place are to the advantage of the tenants.” said Coun. Cheshire. “and we cannot rush mad-headed into any scheme Future changes in rating valuation, plus increased rentals, might make the cost of the property as high as that for modern council houses.
The Council confirmed a Committee recommendation that a subcommittee consisting of Couns. collins, H Gomersall, Prendergast, Roberts. and Mrs. E.M. Sherlock with the Surveyor (Mr. A. W. R. Senior ) and the Senior Sanitary Inspector (Mr R.E.Ingleby) should examine the properties and report on all the NCB proposals to a later meeting.
The Baths Committee chairman, Coun. G. Cheshire, reported that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government seemed adamant in refusing to consider their scheme for modernising Denaby Swimming Baths and the Council were now taking the matter up with their M.P.
“If we were given the opportunity of going to the Ministry,’ Mr. Cheshire said, “we feel we should be able to give a fresh picture of the position.”