Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 7, 1926

Conisboro’ Council.
The Clerk’s Salary.
Employees ‘Must’ Be Trade Unionists.

Mr. W. B. Wells presided over a meeting of the Conisboro’ Urban Council on Wednesday.
The Finance Committee recommended the payment of accounts amounting to £6,726.

Mr. J. Brocklesby objected to certain of the accounts. The difficulty arose because they had not a definite agreement with their Clerk as to his remuneration. Some members believed there was an understanding that the Clerk was to be paid for certain professional duties in addition to his salary. He (Mr. Brocklesby) had not understood that. He was concerned that they should have a clear understanding. He did not think the conditions of the Clerk’s appointment contained the provisions suggested and that the salary covered all the duties, but there might be some professional services for which the Clerk was entitled to charge extra. He wanted them to determine the agreement, to which he took exception for the reasons stated. The Clerk had no objection to the course. Every account before being passed for payment should have the inspection and authority of the Council. Certain of those accounts had not had that authority. That matter had been put in order and all accounts would come before them before being authorised for payment. His (Mr. Brocklesby’s) concern now was about the future. They should have a clear understanding as to what duties were covered by the Clerk’s salary and what should be paid for separately. At another meting he might move that the present agreement be determined with a view to making another agreement.

The Finance Committee’s recommendations were adopted.

Mr. Roberts objected to the way in which the matter had been brought up again five minutes after it had been discussed in committee. He was quite clear about the Clerk’s appointment, and that purely professional work should be separately paid for. He did not think the salary of £300 a year which they paid their Clerk ought to be used to fix a standard for a profession like the Clerk’s. The salary was paid purely for the performance of the duties of Clerk to the Council.

The Assessment Conference.

Mr. Brocklesby gave a very brief report on the conference at Wakefield on the Rating and Valuation Act. ‘It did not answer any good purpose. The whole thing was too big, and with 500 delegates present it was difficult to proceed on sound business lines. One resolution was passed unanimously – a vote of thanks to the chairman.’ (laughter).

Exceeding The Speed Limit.

Mr. Shelton, moving the adoption of the Sanitary and Highways Committee, said that the most striking point in the Medical Officer’s annual report, were the exceedingly high birth and death rates. ‘The inhabitants of this district have been exceeding the speed limit, as it were’ it is time to put a check on.’ He mentioned that they had considered a lengthy report from the Medical Officer on birth control.

A Successful Deputation.

Mr. Roberts also referred to the visit of Mr. Brocklesby and the Surveyor to the Minister of Health, which had resulted in their getting the necessary loan to complete their housing scheme. He paid a tribute to the work of those two gentlemen.

Items.

The Council will assemble at the offices at 9.30 on Sunday morning and parade to service at the Conisborough Parish Church.

The Chairmen of Committees for this year are Messrs. J. Shelton (Sanitary and Highways), A. Roberts (Housing and Town Planning), W. B. Wells (Finance, Allotments and Fire Brigade).

The Conisborough Gas Co. have been asked to state what steps they propose taking with respect to the amount standing in the revenue account to the credit of the consumers owing to the calorific value being below the standard allowed under the Act.

North Cliff Road is to be re-surfaced with slag at an estimates cost of £360.

Common Road has been re-named Crookhill road.