Rushden Research Group: Council Meeting July 1954

Rushden Urban District Council

Rushden Echo & Argus, 11th July 1954, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Council Has . . . . Five-year plan for 'slums'
A "slum" clearance plan involving 23 properties in five areas, was mentioned at Rushden Urban Council's meeting on Wednesday. Mr. J. Allen described it as the first instalment of a scheme which would probably go on for five years.

The first list of properties has not yet been presented.

After long negotiation Hall Avenue is to be made up under the Private Street Works Act at a cost of £5,350, towards which the estate developer has promised £3,230.

Frontage owners will also contribute, and the council agreed to pay £750 in respect of the Hall grounds frontages.

It was agreed to make temporary repairs at the swimming bath, where some of the cubicles have been placed "out of bounds." Permanent repairs are under discussion.

Meat decontrol
After the decontrol of meat the Bedford Road abattoir, used since the war as a central slaughterhouse for the district, is to be administered by the C.W.S. There had been no response to an offer to slaughter animals for private traders.

Electrical installations in the council's temporary bungalows are to be inspected every 14 months in future because they have been the cause of fires. The cost will be about ten shillings per house.

The surveyor, Mr. A. Millar, was instructed to proceed with demolishing the garage building adjoining 93 Portland Road, in compliance with an order made by Wellingborough Magistrates on February 5.

'No parking' here
Council house tenants are to be told that vehicles must not be parked on the grass Verges of the estates.

One room in each of the 621council houses on the Higham Road and Irchester Road estates is to be decorated this year. The tenants will be given the opportunity to decide which room they want having done.

Mrs. G. E. Bazeley, newly appoint ed chairman of the Parks Committee, amused the council when, in a discussion on concrete cricket pitches, she declared. "I am no cricketer myself. "

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 16th July 1954, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Deadlock is a ‘dreary farce’ - MRS. A. MUXLOW

Rushden Urban Council’s finance committee has failed to elect a chairman, and scathing remarks on the deadlock were made by Mrs. A. Muxlow when the council met on Wednesday.

For the second time both Mr. C. G. Faulkner (Lab) and Mr. E. E. Newell have failed to get a majority of votes.

Describing the situation as a ‘dreary farce’ which had “shocked” her, Mrs. Muxlow declared that councillors were not elected to represent factions but to conduct the town’s business with decorum.

Mr. Newell said he would not allow his name to go forward again, but had taken part in a protest against one man (Mr. Faulkner) holding the chairmanship for three successive years.

Heated Debate

During a statement by Mr. Faulkner, Mr. A. H. Bailey (Cons) exclaimed: “Do I understand Mr. Faulkner doesn’t want to be chairman, but has to whether he wants to do so or not?

A heated debate ended when the council chairman (Mr. E. A. Sugars) refused to allow further comment.

Deprecating accounts of High Street pavement damage during recent road works, Mr. W. Brown said the amount was not excessive and that a man with a flag controlled the traffic while the giant road machine was at work.

Repair Footpaths

Mr. R. H. S. Greenwood replied with a list of locations where damage has occurred and the county surveyor has been asked to repair the footpaths without delay.

Twenty-three houses in Beaconsfield Place, Factory Place, Little Street and Duck Street were scheduled as clearance areas.

It was reported that one of the areas may be suitable for re-development probably with houses for old people.

Alterations to Rectory Road car park are to be considered following a complaint of danger to people visiting the Co-operative Society’s offices.

Proposal Rejected

The council rejected a parks committee proposal to spend a further £2,000 on Rushden Hall restorations, which have already cost £7,162.

Commenting on the council’s new power to lend up to ninety per cent for the purchase, repair and improvement of private houses, Mr. F. E. Brown said these loans were not automatic, but that each case would be considered on its merits.

Sharp criticism of the town bus service came from Mr. A. Green, who described it as “a disservice” and said its irregularities had caused some people to lose more time from work than they did 40 years before the service was opened.

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