Conisbrough Parish Council – Scavenging Again – Urban Powers

May 1896

Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 15, 1896

Conisbrough Parish Council

A special meeting of this Council was held on Wednesday evening, when there were present Mr Pagdin (in the chair) Messrs Mosby, Lee, Lowe, Norwood, Holmes, Raynor, Hirst, Singleton, Butcher, Robinson.

The special business was to let the eatage of Minneymoor recreation ground. There were only two applicants, Mr G Stacey, who offered £3, and Mr A Simpson, £2 per annum.

Mrs Stacey’s offer was accepted, on the motion Mr Norwood, seconded by Mr Robinson.

The clerk reported that he had received information that the County rate for the parish was assessed at £24,000 for the next three years, they see considered was a fair assessment, and he would suggest that the same be accepted as there will be little hope of reduction if appeal was made. This is an increase of £4, 000 on the old assessment. After considerable discussion, Mr Norwood moved, and Mr Holmes seconded, “That the County rate basis be accepted,” which was carried unanimously.

Mr Butcher asked if the Council had any authority or control of the matter of scavenging at New Conisborough.

Mr Norwood, “I know this, that the ash places are to be cleaned out every six weeks, they are only once in three months here, which is not fair.”

Mr Holmes: We have no direct authority, but we might write the District Council on the subject.

Mr Pagdin: I think it would be best for the individual to complain to the Inspector.

Mr Holmes: I don’t see that Mr Butcher should speak as representative from New Conisborough and not as a private individual.

Mr Butcher: My complaint, and the complaint orders, is that the scavengers have not done their work until 10 o’clock in the morning, which is too late.

Mr first confirmed this, and on the motion Mr Butcher it was decided to write the District Council on the matter.

Urban Powers

The chairman asked the opinion of the Council as to whether or not it would be necessary to call another parish meeting to obtain their sanction before they could proceed with the matter, or whether they could take the question of whether the old Council laid it down.

Mr Holmes: I believe it is not only necessary but imperative before we can proceed.

Mr Norwood: After proceeding somewhere with the question the old Council thought it best to have legal assistance, but Mr Muir Wilson said we could not incur any legal expense in the matter as a Council, so it dropped. I have however received a different opinion from Mr Corrie Grant, of London, a few days ago, who thinks such expense can be defrayed by the Council, providing the consent of the parish meeting be first obtained for such payment.

The question was eventually left over until next meeting.