To Be Strictly Non-Party – Conisbro’ Council’s New Chairman’s Promise.

April 1929

Sheffield Independent – Thursday 25 April 1929

To Be Strictly Non-Party.

Conisbro’ Council’s New Chairman’s Promise.

Mr. Arthur -Roberts (Labour), was elected chairman of the Conisborough Urban Council, last night.

When his nomination came Mr. J. I. Webster said: think it is only fair Conisborough to bring one matter up. I believe that the Chairman of our Council is also a Justice of the Peace. Some time ago Mr. Roberts had the J.P. after his name, but recently they have not appeared. If Mr. Roberts will undertake his duties as J.P. I have no more to say, but I think it is only right to speak of this because Conisborough is particularly deficient in J.P.s.”

Mr. Roberts: I have never taken a duty yet- that I was not prepared to fulfil.

Mr. Webster: Good enough.

Mr. Roberts said he was trying to hold the balance between the different sections of the Council. “I want to make this clear,” added “that so far year of office concerned, I shall strictly non-party, and try to represent the interests of the whole of the residents in the district.”

He proceeded refer to impending changes local government and said hoped the Council would discuss amalgamation. There were far too many townships and parishes being administered independently.

He concluded: “I think there is lot of time wasted in the Council. I not think it is right to waste the time the public because they have representatives of the public (the Press) present. Irrelevant matters have been brought the past and in future they will treated for what they are worth.

Mr. T. J. Gregory (Labour) was elected the vice-chairman.