Conisboro’ Urban Council – The Surveyor’s Motor Car.

August 1924

A Mexborough & Swinton Times, August 16th. 1924.

Conisboro’ Urban Council.

The Surveyor’s Motor Car.

Last of a ‘Bugbear’.

Mr. A. E. Berry presided at the monthly meeting of the Conisbrough Urban District Council, on Wednesday.

The Surveyor’s motor car formed the major topic. Mr. J. Maxfield asked if Mr. Thirlwall used 40 gallons of petrol a month. Mr. Maxfield explained that 40 gallons of petrol was equivalent to 1,200 running miles, which seemed rather a lot.

The Surveyor said he had 20 gallons in stock at the beginning of the month.

Later Mr. Thirlwall observed that, according to resolution he had the privilege of using the car for his own purposes when he had the opportunity to o so. He pointed out that the petrol used when on private business of pleasure was, of course, paid for by him, and he also paid for the licence.

The Chairman remarked that the car seemed to be a bugbear and he hoped that question as to when an how the Surveyor should use the car would be finally settled. The point at issue was whether Mr. Thirlawll should take the car on holiday.

Mr. T. G. Gregory: I move the car be raffled off! (Laughter.)

Mrs. Kaye: I suggest that we adhere to the original resolution: that Mr. Thirlwall be allowed the use of the car for his private purposes.

Mr. I Webster: The Council work is necessary during Council hours. When Mr. Thirlwall is on holiday, the car will still be needed here.

Mr. A. Roberts: Judging by the time it takes from our business here, one would consider it the most important car in the country. I am rather surprised at the comments that have been made. The County Council have provided all their district Surveyors with motor cars and the Surveyor of this Council is equally as important. The point is whether this car is to be used for pleasure. I would not like to sit upon an authority which stipulated that a car used by its officials was to be used for Council business only. This question was used as an election stunt by members of a certain organisation. Only recently, we find that the information was spread abroad that this Council was going to spend £6,000 on fire brigade equipment. That information came out of committee and seems to have been inspired from a similar motive to this talk of the motor car which is simply provoking prejudice against the surveyor. It is time we looked at things from a broader standpoint.

The motor car means little more than a penny rate. Let us examine those questions which involve large expenditure. This matter has already been thoroughly trashed out and a conclusion arrived at by the previous Council. I hope the matter will drop. If there is to be criticism, let it be honest and just. Although we represent different sections of the community, often enough we are all agreed and have the same object in view. Why is there all this bickering on a question such as this. Let the matter die.

Mr. Hill: How long has the car been in use?

The Surveyor: Since December.

Mr. Hill: It was understood at the time that this car was to be used both for business and pleasure.

A ‘Boon’ to Denaby.

The Ministry of Health have notified the Council that sanction has been given for the borrowing of £2,905 in connection with the Conisbrough and Conisbrough Park Joint Burial Board.

Mr. W. W. Norwood said they had been negotiating for the purchase of land at Denaby Main for a cemetery for two years. He was very pleased now that they would be able to get on with the work of laying out the ground.

Mr. Worsley agreed that the new burial ground would be a boon to the people of Denaby. Mention was made of the expense and inconvenience to which the Denaby people were put under the existing arrangements.

The Clerk (Mr. Spencer Baker) read a letter from the Joint Industrial Board, announcing that the Board in a previous letter had misunderstood the position and that, according to the scale, the workmen employed by the Council were receiving one halfpenny per hour in excess of the scale.

The question as to whether the wages should be reduced to scale provoked a long discussion, at the end of which, the members were agreed that the wages should not be reduced.

Mr. Hill referred to the difficulties of the situation. Some of their workmen were engaged side by side with men employed by private contract, the latte receiving 3d. and hour more. It was difficult to retain their workmen under the circumstances. Either they would g over to the private contractor or they would slow down and the Council would lose in the end.

Mr. Worsley agreed that the reduction would cause unnecessary hardship.

The Chairman, while agreeing with the views expressed, explained that if they paid higher wages than specified by the Joint Industrial Board, they were liable to be surcharged by the auditor.

Mr. Brownsward said that most essential foods were rising in price.

Mr. Roberts said that the misunderstanding arose over the fact that the figures laid down by the Joint Industrial Council was the minimum and not the maximum. The error lay in assuming that they could not pay more than stipulated, whereas the fact was they could not pay loss. He was by no means sure that they would be surcharged by the auditor.

On the advice of the Surveyor, in was agreed to consider the matter in committee and to ask for the re-grading of the employees, wages in the meanwhile to remain as at present.

A letter was read from the County Council, stating that the Conisbrough Council’s share of the maintenance and improvement grant for second class roads was £529, with an extra £132 for the repairing of Clifton Hill.

Housing: A Successful Deputation.

Coun. Hill reported on a visit paid by himself and the Surveyor to the Ministry of Health. The suggestions of the Council met with approval and the deputation itself with entire courtesy, the Ministry’s Inspector commenting favourably on the plans and suggestions of their Surveyor. The Ministry was quite satisfied with the Council’s proposals for the erection of 60 houses by direct labour and approval was given to the erection of 28 houses as a first instalment. The application of the Conisbrough Housing Association was also discussed. The deputation was informed that providing there was no alternation in the draft of the new Bill, the subsidy would apply if the Council raised no objection. The Council were advised to defer the commencement of the actual building until the Bill became law. Mr. Hill stressed the fact that any increased benefit which accrued from the new Bill would be given to the tenant.

Mr. Roberts congratulated the deputation in the success of their visit. ‘ The only industry which thrives under the Government department is the waste paper basket industry, ‘ said Mr. Roberts, and went on to say that a personal visit to the Ministry was far more effective than correspondence.

Mr. Norwood and the Chairman also spoke appreciatively of the services rendered by the deputation.