South Yorkshire Times – Friday 13 April 1934
Conisbrough U.D.C.
Snow-Shifters
Better Off In Bed
Dole Stopped
At the monthly meeting of the Conisbrough Urban Council on Wednesday (Mr. Ben Roberts presiding) a complaint was received from the Denaby Unemployed Social Club that members who had snow-clearing work a few weeks ago suffered cuts in their unemployment insurance benefit on account of their remuneration. They appealed to the Council to endeavour to get this day’s pay back.
Mr. G. O’Mell said he understood most of them got about 3s. 6d., and had about 3s. “dole” stopped.
The chairman: The law says if they earn more than 3s. 4d. we must be in stoppage from their “dole.”
Mr. R. H. Shephard remarked that the men were worse off than if they had stopped in bed.
It was decided to try to obtain restitution.
Increased Rate
A rate of 9s. in the £ for the ensuing year was recommended and confirmed. This represents an increase of 6d. on the rate for the previous half-year.
Mr. Jonas Shelton, commenting on the fact that last year the Council’s expenditure had been £291 more than they estimated for, remarked that they would actually have had over £1,000 in hand had there not been an increase in coal from the Joint Hospital Board, and but for the purchase of extra land.
Mr. H. H. Wray said the Hospital Board precept was some £848 more than had been estimated, and they had an asset worth £250 in the land.
Rota
The local branch of the National Unemployed Workers’ Movement wrote submitting proposals in connection with the public works schemes. They proposed that a rota be inaugurated and a rota committee set up comprising equal representation of the Council and the N.U.W.M., with the co-operation of the local Labour Exchange.
On the proposition of Mr. Wray it was decided to refer the letter to the Sanitary and Highways, and Housing and Town Planning Committees.
“United Front”
There was discussion on the question of sending delegates to a conference arranged by the Conisbrough “United Front” on the subject of the new Unemployment Bill, to be held in the Council Chamber on April 21st at 2-30, to which all working-class organisations in the district are invited.
Mr. Collins urged that it would not be outside the province of the Council to send delegates, but the Clerk (Mr. Spencer Baker) said he did not see how the Council, as such, could be represented at a conference of this kind.
It was decided to send delegates, and Messrs. Roberts, Collins, Shephard and Gregory were appointed.
Retiring Members
The chairman moved a vote of thanks to the retiring members, Messrs. Shelton, Morgan, and Charles Webster, and Mr. Collins, supporting, remarked that they were all sincere and the fact which they disagreed brought out points which would otherwise be missed. Mr. Shelton had had 13 years unbroken service, which was a record no other member could lay claim to. They ought to place on record their sincere appreciation of the services of these councillors.
Mr. Gillott: I think the people of Conisbrough have lost their best friend in Mr. Shelton.
Mrs. Levers remarked that Mr. Shelton had done valuable work on the Assessment and Guardians Committees.
Labour In Vain
A notice of motion by Mr. Wray called attention to the duplication of work in connection with arrears of rent, and moved that in future this work be undertaken by the full Finance Committee instead of the sub-committee.
Mr. Wray said the finance committee had delegated to the sub-committee the duty of examining rent arrears last month, and after the sub-committee had spent more than an hour and a half going through the arrears the finance committee raised an objection and took more than an hour to decide what should be done. “I am not prepared to go through that work twice,” he said. “If the finance committee want to do this I am quite willing. When the sub-committee have gone through the arrears I don’t feel that we should have to spend another hour thrashing the same horse. I suggest, therefore, the finance committee meet at 5 instead of 5-30 and take over this work again.”
Mr. Collins: The finance committee was quite justified in taking up the attitude it did, and as a result rent arrears have been reduced by about £37 during the last month. The sub-committee is small and members of the finance committee may know about cases with which members of the sub-committee are not familiar. I suggest the sub-committee should still go through the list and the finance committee should go through them again. I see no reason at all why the sub-committee should not riddle these things first and the finance committee after.
The motion was carried.