Mexborough and Swinton Times January 11, 1935
Conisborough Urban District Council
Lord of the Manor
Capitalist Leader, But a “Nice Gentleman”
Boots for Bairns: A New Appeal
The question of making a renewed appeal for funds for the provision of boots for schoolchildren necessities cases were among the topics discussed at the monthly meeting of the Conisborough Urban Council on Wednesday. Mr T.J.Gregory presided
the Clerk (Mr Spencer Baker) read a letter from Mr W.E.Jones, Rossington representative of the County Council, to whom the Council and written pointed out the urgent need in the Conisborough area for general consideration by the public assistance committee of appeals for boots, and soliciting his (Mr Jones) cooperation in the matter
Mrs Jones wrote that he was anxious to give any help he could. He suggested that if he could be furnished with a list of cases where application had be made he would have the matter considered at the earliest possible moment by the appropriate committee of the County Council
Mr Ben Roberts said a number of pairs of boots are being granted but nothing like the number needed. A committee was in existence for distributing boots as they could get the money to buy them. They had a little money left but were badly in need of more and be glad to receive subscription. In the Conisborough area the question had become more acute each year since 1928
Mr T Sheppard remarked that some 80 pairs of boots are being granted in response to application, and he understood more and been granted that day. But the money granted by the authorities in many cases was insufficient to purchase boots fit for the children to wear. In one case seven shillings have been allowed for two children in one family
Mr Hague’s commercial said his attention had also been drawn to this aspect of the question. It had been mentioned to him by local tradesmen, but said that the result was that people are going to the cheapest shops and be supplied with inferior goods. An extra two shillings would have made all the difference. He sought more effort ought to be made locally. You have been wondering whether they ought to appeal to the public, as they did last year. They had about £30 in hand, but it was not unlike the sum they needed
Mr Gomersall’s motion that another general appeal be made by the Council was seconded by Mr Robertson and carried
Winter Quarters for N.U.W.M.
The local branch of the National Unemployed Workers Movement again raised the question of the provision of a shelter for their use in the Conisborough area, in a letter in which details of provision made at Barnsley branch were given
The clerk said he had communicated with the clerk to the Barnsley Town Council who had informed him that the Barnsley branch of the Unemployed Workers Movement had been granted free use of premises belonging to the Council in 1931. The building was under control of the Markets Committee and had been renovated at a cost of £10, a stove installed, and a reasonable supply of electricity allowed free
Mr Baker continued that he gone into the legal aspect of the matter. Barnsley was a county borough, and as such its accounts are not subject to the Ministry of Health audit. If they did anything contrary to law they would be surcharged.
Mr H.H.Wray: I think we might settle this matter by applying for county borough status (laughter)
Mr J.G.L.Collins said the N.U.W.M. was open to all unemployed of whatever party, and the application should therefore be dealt with on its merits
Mr J Webster: This letter from the N.U.W.M. quotes the example of the Barnsley Council but gives no helpful information at all. If they had given those information about some other urban authority we should have had something to go on
Mr Gomersall: These people are an ancillary body of the Communist Party. Wherever one of the branches exist it is headed by Communist leaders. If the Communist Party’s is entitled to a hall in the town for recreation purposes, why not the Conservative, Liberal, or Labour parties
Mr Collins: I refute the statement that the N.U.W.M.is a political party. It may be an ancillary body of the Communist Party, but that is not the same thing. There is no mention on the membership card of any political party. Because the communists have been more active they have got the responsible positions, but that is not their fault
The Lord of the Manor
Referring to the honour recently conferred upon Lord Yarborough, by being made a Knight of the Garter, Mr Ray said that as Lord Yarborough was Lord of the Manor and treated their parish very generously on more than one occasion –
The Chairman: Yes, with our money
Mr Wray: I do not see but that we can offering congratulations
Mr Ben Roberts seconded a vote of congratulation
Mr Collins said that some of them felt that anyone who had gained an honour in a capitalist country gained it for services in the interests of capitalism. Probably Lord Yarborough was a nice gentleman, but that did not alter the fact that what every and Don had been in the interests of the dominating classes, and the principles he (the speaker) held would force him to vote against this motion
Mr Webster: Do you think there is any chance of our getting the Castle if we pass this? We might have it floodlit then (laughter)
Mr Gomersall said he agreed with Mr Collins to a point. He was against the present system of society, but you realise that he could not alter the in the Conisborough Council Chamber. Mr Collins had himself and thousands of others were working to alter it, but were they doing in the army complementing Lord Yarborough? Lodge Yarborough once obliged to counsel by selling land at London £20 per acre, when another capitalist would not let them have an adjoining ground for less than £200 per acre
The motion was carried by six votes to 4
Temporary Buildings
Mr G all feel, moving confirmation of the minutes of the housing and town planning committee, drew the attention of the public to minute which stated that licences for temporary buildings in the district were to be renewed up to the 31 December 1935, and that the owners of certain temporary buildings in Colin Bay were to be notified that their licences would not be renewed after December 31, 1936
Commenting on a minute in which it was recommended that the owner of a wooden shop in Wembley Avenue, Conanby be notified that the building must be re-erected in the proper position or an application made for it to be licensed as a temporary building. Mr Webster appeared asked what was behind, what to him, appeared to be persecution of the owner of the shop, Mr Wellings
The Chairman: if you had been here on Monday you would have heard the discussion
the Surveyor (Mr H cell wall) at the last meeting Mr Welling submitted a plan showing a wooden shop built on a brick foundation in a certain position relative to adjoining buildings and the role. In that position it comply with the bylaws and could be approved, but the building was not erected in the correct position. It had either to be re-erected on the owner must apply for it to be licensed under temporary building
Mr G.A.Chadfield: how much is it out of line?
The surveyor, it is 10 ft. 6 inches out of line
Mr Webster: then if you build brick shops you can have them in one line, but wooden shop must be put in another?
The Surveyor: Yes
Mr cell wall added that the owner of the shop and not notified him when the brick foundation was to be laid, nor when it had been completed, but at said all the information together, which are being built
Mrs Levers: What is going to happen to the shop, now a spent all this money Mark
Mr Gomersall: if he does not rectify the mistake is hoped will be accepted as temporary building the light of love to be applied for each year
The minutes of the Housing Committee were confirmed.
Early Doors
Mr Gomersall raised a question on the minutes of the Bath Committee. He referred to a paragraph which had appeared in an evening paper concerning swimming facilities at Conisborough. The paragraph stated that proposals were being considered whereby the Conisborough Urban Council would allow the use of their Baths for 70 classes of schoolchildren and we the season, as compared with 20 classes last year.
This meant that 1400 children instead of 400 would be receiving the benefit of swimming instruction. Mr Gomersall said he would like to know which member of the Council and given this information to the Press before it had been improved
Mr Chadfield: let him put his hand up (laughter)
Mr Webster. All it says in the papers that proposals are being considered. I have given the information. I have given it to a legitimate press man. If I want to give any information to anyone I shall give it. I have given no information that will do anyone any harm. In fact, I think it will do some good. I’m not going to let the council tell me what I shall do
Mr Gomersall: The journalist get the information here, and I contend Mr Webster has no right to do this. The Press should get this on Wednesday night when it is due
Mrs Levers: What has been given by Mr Webster is true
The Chairman: we cannot dispute it
Mrs Levers: well why worry?
Co-opting experts
Mr Collins, who had given notice of motion, moves that the minute which stated the Rent Restrictions Act Committee consists of members of the Council only be rescinded, and a minute substituted that the committee consists of members of the Council and other such members and it should be appointed by the Council for the purpose
Mr Collins said they had experience of co-opted members on various committees connected with the Council, and they had performed useful service on the Allotments committee and the Library committee.
The question of co-opted members was one which should be seriously considered
“It seems to me,” he continued, “that there are members on this Council who are not prepared to face up to the full significance of their actions at different times. It may be argued that the Rent Restrictions Committee can get on without co-opted members, but can you single out a particular committee and say you are not having co-opted members because you are sufficiently capable of dealing with the business yourselves? Valuable service has been rendered by co-opted members. I am taking this up on principle and policy
Mr Wray, who seconded, said this matter might well have been left over to the annual meeting
Mr Webster said they are co-opted members on some committees this, but the more important committee seem to be the prerogative of members of the Council. He believed in getting the most expert service Council could command, especially if they could get it free
Mr Gomersall: there is no reason why this should be brought forward three months before the annual meeting
Mr Collins resolution was defeated by seven votes to 4
A Helping Hand
A letter of thanks was received from Mrs Jones, who suffered considerable loss in the recent fire into coast Street, Denaby for the efforts made on behalf of her and her family by the Council. Thanks were also extended to those who subscribe to the relief fund.
The Chairman said they received about £39 in response to their appeal
Good Wishes
At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman extended best wishes for the New Year to the Councillors, the officials, the ratepayers and the Press