Council Evict a Conisbro’ Family

May 1958

South Yorkshire Times May 17, 1958

Council Evict a Conisbro’ Family

Conisbrough Urban Council on Wednesday, confirmed the action taken, in evicting a man, his wife, and six children from their Council house in Harthill Road, Conisbrough, because of rent arrears.

Councillor David. Sheldon, chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee said at the Council meeting.

“This man has been before the Council four or five times for rent arrears and we have given_ him_ notice four or five times but have then given him another chance.

We have now had to take the bull by the horns and do this. Old age pensioners pay their rent regularly out of their small pittances, so others, who are working should pay. I hope this will be a lesson to those who are not paying their rent regularly. We are here as stewards of the ratepayers money and if we don’t take action, we are pulled over the coals”

On Tuesday Mr. Samuel Taylor, a miner at Cadeby colliery, and his family, were evicted from their Council house at 19. Harthill. Road, Conisbrough after Mr. Taylor had re failed to keep up payments for three weeks on a Court Order made against him ordering him to- pay £2 a week to clear off his arrears. The – family are now split up among five different’ homes.

Mr. Taylor and two children are living with his parents. Mr and Mrs George Taylor. in Northcliffe Road, Conisbrough, his wife Hazel and their youngest child, a two years old baby girl, are living with friends in Harthill Road. his wife’s mother is looking after one boy at her home, another daughter. 10 year old Pauline is- staying with friends, and the oldest child, 15  years old Barry, is staying with friends at another home. The family’s furniture was put out of the house on Tuesday and into, the back garden.

Mr. Taylor went on Wednesday with an offer to pay off his arrears but he was too late, as the Council had already made the decision and confirmed their action. He told a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter; that be had had a promise of £48 to pay off his rent arrears.

“It came as a great shock to us when we were turned, out into the street. I could- not keep’ up the payments as I was off work and was waiting for some compensation money after an accident at the pit” he said.

Mr R. F. Edwardson, clerk to the Council, assured the Councillors at the meeting on Wednesday that the Divisional Welfare Officer to the West Riding County Council, had been informed, at the position of the children, after Coun. T. Hill had asked what had become of them after the eviction.