Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 11 1927

Conisborough U.D.C.

Miners and Their Rent Arrears.
A Gloomy Prophet

The Conisborough Urban Council on Wednesday rescinded, after considerable discussion a resolution passed in December fixing 2s, 6d. A week as a minimum payment to be made by council tenants of their house rent arrears, and passed in its stead a resolution fixing a minimum of 1s. The council also discussed the China situation and in spite of an expression of opinion by the clerk (Mr Spencer Baker) that they were exceeding their scope, passed a resolution on that matter.

Before commencing public business the Council passed a resolution of sympathy with their chairman, Mr W. B. Wells, who was absent through influenza.

The meeting began with a discussion on Proportional Representation in response to a proposal from the P.R.S. and the Council agreed that no action be taken.

Rent Arrears

In accordance with notice of motion given at the previous meeting, Mr J. T. E. Collins that the council’s resolution of December. Fixing the minimum payment of rent arrears by council tenants at 2s 6d, be rescinded. Some of them contended when the resolution was passed that it was asking too much, and he himself went so far as to suggest that the arrears might be wiped out altogether, and let the people start again with a clean sheet. But as the council were insisting on repayment he contended it should be put as low as possible, and the normal figure of a shilling a week would be within the scope of the tenants. They must consider the human side. He knew of one man who went home to a wife and four children three weeks ago, after working every shift possible, with 4d – at least he would have done so but for his colleagues.

Were they doing the right thing by their tenants in asking for 2s 6d a week? By reducing the minimum to 1s they would release 1s 6d more to be spent on the necessaries of the home, and in the present circumstances of the people that was a considerable amount.

After a lengthy discussion the resolution was carried.

Direct Labour.

Mr Webster caused a storm by raising questions on the Park Road direct labour housing scheme. He asked if the scheme was considered satisfactory. If so, why was it necessary to extend the fire insurance? Was it a fact that plasterers were ready to do plastering on January 17 but could not because there was no material for them to work with? Were they aware that Bolton on Dearne built by contract 44 and 70 houses in 11 months; Wath 98 by contract, begun in July, 1925, and the whole lot occupied by October 1926; Mexborough 30 parlour and 104 non-parlour by contract and finished in 1926. Mr Webster quoted other authorities housing work by contract and then asked why, if others could do it, why couldn’t Conisborough? When they formally got thirty houses done by contract the same situation occurred, 10 or more of the houses being practically finish for 10 weeks before they were occupied. If that was the fault of the contractor whose was the fault today? It must be either the council or their officials. The delay was wicked because it was an injustice to the ratepayers as well as to the prospective tenants. He was not an opponent of direct labour if they could prove it was a more profitable method than letting contracts. He should also like to know if any percentage of the cost of plant, etc., was included in the class of the houses.

The chairman (Mr W. L. Worsley) referred this question to the surveyor.

Mr Thirlwall said he should have due notice of such questions as those and not be called upon to answer them summarily in public in that fashion, as it was a matter which might adversely reflect upon the Council or some members of it. He suggested that Mr Webster should formulate his questions and placing before the housing committee.

Mr Webster said he had brought up those questions before. He passed the house as regularly. The first two in Park Road had been “semi- finished” since December. He held that some of the houses should have been occupied before now.

A “Direct Hit”

The Chairman agreed with the Surveyor that such business ought to have been brought up in committee. It was a direct hit at the Council and the Surveyor.

After further points had been raised the Chairman ruled the discussion out of order.

China

Mr Collins then asked the Council to pass a further resolution deprecating the Government’s sending troops and instruments of war to China, and calling on the Government at once to refrain from any action to encourage war. Why should they be called upon to make war in defence of land which had been taken and exploited by persons with whom no one round that table had any concern? He strenuously objected to “the mailed fist business of the Government.”

The Clerk interposed an opinion that the resolution was out of order, as it was a matter that did not directly or indirectly concern the government of the urban district of Conisborough.

After further discussion, the Chairman allowed the resolution to be put, and it was carried without dissent.