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| The Rushden Echo, 16th October, 1925, transcribed by Gill Hollis |
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Rushden Urban District Council
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Should Tenants of Council Houses Sublet? Wednesday, present: Councillors C. W. Horrell, C.A., J.P., (chairman), C. Claridge (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., W. C. Tarry, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Hornsby, G. W. Coles, J.P., W. Bazeley, J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper). Committee reports were received as follow: Housing Committee A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, September 16th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), W. Bazeley, T. F. B. Newberry, and T. Wilmott. Irchester-Road Site The Surveyor reported that on his survey of this site he found that, although the extra depth of land would make the area sufficient to comply with the Ministry’s regulations as to density, the frontage, after making allowance for the land to be reserved for two new streets, was not sufficient for more than 40 houses and therefore the extra depth was not required. In the circumstances it was resolved to recommend the Council not to acquire the additional land, but to ask Mr. Sartoris to allow his original offer for the sale of 12,500 yards at 2s. per yard to stand. Exchange of Houses The tenants of No. 11, Oval-road, and No. 153, Newton-road, wrote to the committee asking for permission to exchange houses. The committee were unable to agree to the applications. Subletting The committee recently had before them an application from the tenant of No. 109, Trafford-road, for permission to sublet part of the house. The house in question contains three bedrooms, kitchen, and living-room, and the tenant is a widow with two children. The application had been refused on the ground of overcrowding, but, notwithstanding this, the lodgers had taken possession of part of the house. The committee felt that they could not submit to their decision being treated in this manner, and the Clerk was instructed to write to the tenant informing her that unless the lodgers quitted the premises within a month the committee would recommend the Council to terminate her tenancy and, if necessary, take proceedings for obtaining vacant possession of the house. The report was adopted. On the subject of subletting, Mr. Hornsby asked whether the Council were taking action against tenants who had sublet without asking the permission of the Council. He thought some clemency should have been shown in the present case of a widow who could not afford the rent herself. Mr. Bates said that the committee had every sympathy with the widow, but they felt that they, as a public health authority, could not sanction overcrowding in their own houses and try to abate in private houses. He could not say what the committee would do in other cases until those cases were before them. Mr. Wilmott said that the tenant, a widow, had two children, and the sub-tenant had a wife and three children, and the sleeping room was quite inadequate for decency. Mr. Hornsby asked whether the sub-tenant must be turned into the street. Mr. Knight said that the subject could be referred to the committee. The Chairman said it would be a mistake to refer the matter back. It was not a case of turning anyone into the street, but merely someone who wanted to come into the town from Irthlingborough. Mr. Swindall said that the tenants might know that the committee would consider other cases of subletting. The chairman said he thought the Council could agree to that. Swimming Baths Committee A meeting of the Swimming Baths Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, September 23rd, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge (chairman), A. Allebone, F. Corby, J. Hornsby, L. Perkins, and J. Spencer. Swimming Baths With regard to the proposed swimming bath, the committee reconsidered the question of dimensions, the size originally contemplated being, in the opinion of most members, beyond what was necessary. Before proceeding further it was resolved that the committee visit the open-air swimming bath at Kettering. The report was adopted. Plans, Etc., Committee A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, September 30th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. T. Wilmott (chairman), A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, and W. C. Tarry. Plans were presented for: Lock-up shop in High-street for Messrs. Hooton Bros., and passed subject to the drainage arrangements being modified to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. Garage at Mr. G. S. Mason’s house, Hayway, and passed. Mission-hall in Crabb-street for the Spiritualist Meeting by Mrs. W. Church, and passed subject to the doors being made to open outwards. Cart shop for Mr. J. S. Taylor at the rear of his house in Park-road, and passed. Extension of surgery in John-street for Dr. Muriset, and passed. House in Washbrook-road for Miss G. L. Risely, and passed. An application for a subsidy in respect of the foregoing house was received, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to issue a certificate in respect of same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £100. Miscellaneous Buildings Several applications were received for permission to erect small temporary buildings near the applicants’ premises, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to take no exception thereto. Subsidy Houses It was resolved to recommend the Council to require from all future applicants for the subsidy that the application be accompanied by the architect’s or builder’s estimate of the cost of the building in respect of which the application is made. Public Health Act, 1925 The Clerk drew attention to Section 84 of this Act, which requires every Urban Authority within six months after September 8th, 1925, to cause to be prepared a list of the streets within their district which are repairable by the inhabitants at large – i.e., by the Urban Authority; the list, when prepared, to be open to the inspection of any person without payment during the ordinary office hours of the Urban Authority. The surveyor informed the committee that such a list was already in existence. Public Lighting – Wymington-Road The Lighting Sub-Committee reported that they had visited this site, and recommended that two additional lamps be placed in this road beyond the Sanatorium, one at the corner near the entrance gate to the old cricket field and the other midway between that spot and the Wymington Parish Council’s boundary, subject to the Wymington Parish Council providing a lamp on their boundary. The committee agreed, and resolved to recommend the council accordingly. Washbrook-Road Railway Bridge The Railway Company’s offer to raise the parapet on the north-west side of the road at an estimated cost of £50 was further considered, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the Company to proceed with the work forthwith. Main Road Agreement – Quarterly Statements of Expenditure A letter was received from the Clerk to the County Council forwarding a copy of a letter received by that Council from the Divisional Road Engineer of the Ministry of Transport stating that the Ministry would in future require that the quarterly statements of expenditure on the main roads be submitted within 14 days of the expiration of the quarter to which they related and if not so submitted the payment would be held over until the following quarter. The Surveyor undertook to do his best to meet the requirement. Washbrook-Road Water Bridge The Surveyor submitted tenders for the widening of this bridge on the south side of the road, and that of Mr. H. Wilmott for £148 10s. was recommended to be accepted. Team Labour Tenders were received for day-work carting for the ensuing six months from Messrs. Ashford and Son, Charles Spriggs, and Charles Holley. It was resolved to recommend the Council to divide the work between the three contractors at the respective prices quoted by them, as was done during the past six months. Rectory-Road Improvement Tenders were received for the building of the wall and coping, and those of Mr. H. Wilmott were accepted at 7s. 6d. per square yard for the wall and 1s. 9d. per yard run for the coping. High-Street South – Improvement Near South-End Schools It was reported to the committee that Mr. Sartoris was prepared to give up sufficient land near the Wymington turn to continue the new footpath in a line with the wall erected by him near the entrance to the schools. The committee recommended the Council to proceed with the work forthwith, and the Chairman undertook to see the occupier of the land and was authorised to make him an offer of compensation for giving up the land without notice. Spencer Park The Surveyor was instructed to proceed with the construction of a macadam foot and carriage way from Spencer-road to the Park and to provide approaches thereto from the houses on the north side, and also to provide a hand-gate which would admit of the entrance of perambulators and bicycles and a separate gate for horses and carts. It was anticipated that there would be very little use for it in the latter respect. Street Scavenging It was resolved to recommend the Council to provide the scavenger in the Park-road district with a handtruck in place of a wheelbarrow as at present used. 48, Washbrook-Road The committee appointed to inspect this property were asked to report to the next meeting of the committee. The report was adopted. Finance and Estates Committee A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 7th, 1925, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, C. Bates, J. Hornsby, and J. Roe. Smallpox Hospital The Clerk submitted claims for compensation by Mr. B. Lincoln, Mr. Walter Cave, and Mr. Harry Miles, which were referred to the Sanitary Committee for consideration. Increase in Number of Councillors and Guardians The Clerk submitted an account for £10 14s. received from the County Council for expenses incurred by that Council for holding the local inquiry by the Joint Committees of the Northants and Beds County Councils on September 20th, 1923, on the application of the Council for increase in the number of Guardians. The attention of the committee was called to the fact that they paid a similar account amounting to £9 17s. 5d. in September last in connection with the same inquiry for additional Councillors. The Clerk was requested to ask the County Accountant to be good enough to supply him with full details of both accounts. Poppy Day A circular letter from the secretary of the British Legion was received asking for the council to be represented at a meeting to be held that day at 7.30 at the Queen Victoria Hotel for the purpose of making arrangements for Remembrance Day. The Vice-Chairman undertook to attend and represent the Council. Audit Notice from the District Auditor of his intention to commence the audit of the accounts of the Council for the year ended March 31st last on Monday, October 19th, 1925, at 10.45 o’clock in the forenoon, was received. The Clerk reported that the usual advertisement had been inserted in the local papers and the notice posted on the Council Buildings. Housing The Clerk reported the receipt of sanctions of the Ministry of Health to the Council borrowing the sum of £18,500 for housing purposes, as to £17,700 repayable in 60 years, as to £500 repayable in 80 years, as to £270 repayable in 20 years, and as to £30 repayable in 30 years. The clerk also reported that he had negotiated the loan with the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives at £4 15s. per cent. and would submit the mortgage for sealing at the next meeting of the Council. The committee approved, and recommended the Council to borrow the money on the terms stated. Rectory-Road Improvement The Clerk reported that he had negotiated the loan of £2,200 sanctioned for the improvement with the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society at 5 per cent. as to £1,800 repayable in 20 years and as to £400 repayable in 60 years. The committee approved, and recommended the Council to borrow the money on the terms stated. Rate Department The committee resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the Chief Clerk to purchase a typewriter for use in his office. Housing It was resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the Collector to serve notices on all tenants of an increase in rent corresponding to the increase of rates for the ensuing year. Surveyor’s Department It was resolved to recommend the Council that the salary of Mr. G. S. Turner be increased by 5s. per week as from the 1st instant. Housing The Surveyor reminded the committee that the arrangement with him as to additional remuneration in connection with the housing scheme ceased on the 29th ult., and it was unanimously resolved to recommend the Council to increase the Surveyor’s salary on this account by £75 for the half-year ending March 31st, 1926. The report was adopted. Housing Committee A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 7th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), W. Bazeley, C. W. Horrell, T. F. B. Newberry, and T. Wilmott. Letting of Houses It was reported that a number of houses were approaching completion and could be let shortly, and it was resolved that the tenants be selected at the next ordinary meeting of this committee, to be held on the 21st instant. Further Houses The Clerk was instructed to make immediate application to the Ministry of Health for permission to erect 40 houses on the Irchester-road site contracted to be purchased from the Trustees of the late Mr. H. Sartoris, and was authorised to give the undertaking required that the conditions set out in sub-Section 1 of Section 3 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, would be complied with in relation to the same. On the presentation of the above report Mr. Swindall asked what type of house it was proposed to erect. Mr. Bates: Non-parlour type. Mr. Swindall: I shall strongly oppose that. I consider it is a shame that all the parlour type of houses should be erected on one side of the town. The Irchester-road end of the town is as respectable as any other. I shall move that the minute be referred back. Mr. Allebone seconded. Mr. Bates: I hope Mr. Swindall does not think the Council is erecting houses for people who are not respectable! Mr. Perkins said he hoped that no important decision would ever be arrived at by any committee and not be brought forward with reasonable opportunity for discussion. This was a very important matter. He was looking forward 20 or 30 years. They must consider what type of houses they were planting on the main roads. They needed plenty of each type – preferably mixed on each site. Council committees were very small, and things might easily slip through without being discussed. The whole Council in committee should discuss so important a point. Mr. Horrell said that up to the moment no definite decision had been made. Mr. Perkins said that the number of 40 committed the Council to the type, as 40 parlour houses could not be put on the land. The report was adopted, except the minute mentioned, which was referred back. Health and Sanitary Committee A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 7th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, and T. Swindall. Health and Sanitary Reports The report of the Medical Officer for the month of September was received. The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 27 nuisances had been dealt with and 20 preliminary notices served. Nine rooms had been disinfected, and also a quantity of bedding and two books, all after cases of infectious disease. Thirty-four visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections two ox livers and two pig’s kidneys had been found to be unfit for food and destroyed in the usual way. The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work since the last meeting. Petroleum Acts An application was received from Mr. Charles Bennett, of No. 45, Moor-road, Rushden, for a licence to store 60 gallons of petrol at the rear of his premises. It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application subject to the store being completed to the satisfaction of the Inspector. Smallpox Hospital The Medical Officer suggested to the committee that a caretaker should be appointed, at a suitable salary, to reside at the Hospital and be responsible for its maintenance and proper order. He suggested that the caretaker should have the use of the living-room and bedroom attached to the original building and that he should not be allowed the use of the wards and nurses’ quarters. The committee decided to visit the Hospital and advertise for a caretaker at a suitable salary to be determined by them on their visit. Cases A number of applications were received for payment of compensation in respect of clothes and bedding of patients recently taken to the Hospital, and also of relatives and contact cases. The committee expressed themselves as perfectly willing to recommend a suitable compensation in all cases, but considered the present claims in the main excessive, and referred them to a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman, Medical Officer, and Inspector to see the claimants and endeavour to agree upon a figure. Rats and Mice Destruction Act The Inspector submitted a circular received from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries calling attention to the proposed holding of a Rat Week in November and making various suggestions in connection therewith. It was resolved to recommend the Council to insert advertisements in the local papers offering 3d. per tail for those brought in during the week in question, the rats to be caught in the Urban District. 64, High-Street The Inspector informed the committee that he had received a complaint from the occupier of No. 64, High-street, of a nuisance on his premises owing to the defective drainage. It appeared that the whole block of buildings at this point were drained by a combined drain running under the shop in question to the main sewer in High-street. It was resolved that the Inspector be instructed to serve a notice on the occupier of No. 64, High-street, requiring him to abate the nuisance so as to give him an opportunity of communicating with the owners. Sanitary Inspectors’ Association The Inspector presented a full report of the proceedings of the annual conference which he attended at Liverpool from September 8th to 11th. The committee expressed their appreciation of the report and thanked the Inspector therefor. Scavenging Tenders were received for team labour for house scavenging for the ensuing six months. It was resolved to recommend the council to renew the contracts with Messrs. C. Holley and N. M. King at the prices tendered. Mr. H. Wilmott’s tender for the collection of tins, etc., was also accepted at the same price as for the previous six months. Sewage Farm Sale of Crops. - The Farm Sub-Committee reported that the sale of crops took place on Monday, the 5th instant, and realised £162 7s. 6d. Cemetery The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that they had visited the Cemetery, and recommended that the hedge dividing the Cemetery from the rear of the houses in Winchester-road be laid, and also that two additional lines of under-draining be put in. The sub-committee further reported that they had taken into consideration the suggestions referred to them by the Council at their last meeting that provision should be made for the children residing in Harborough-road to cross the Cemetery for the purpose of reaching Newton-road Schools. The committee felt that there were strong objections to providing a public footpath through the burial ground and were unable to recommend the Council to adopt the suggestion. The committee approved of the sub-committee’s recommendations and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly. It was also resolved to recommend the Council to provide a bell, to be fixed on the caretaker’s house, for the purpose of notifying visitors to the Cemetery of the intention to close the gates. The report was adopted. On the subject of allowing children to pass through the Cemetery from Harborough-road district to the Newton-road Schools, Mr. Perkins asked why, if people used the Cemetery footpath from the main gates to Pyghtles-terrace without giving cause for complaints, a path at right angles to that – going from Oswald-road to Harborough-road – should be less considerately used. Dr. Greenfield said that the Cemetery Sub-Committee and the Sanitary Committee were unanimous on the decision that the footpath could not conveniently be made in the Cemetery. Mr. Perkins had used a very ingenious argument, and everyone agreed that such a path would cut off a good deal, but at the same time – though he knew Mr. Perkins was thinking of the children – the Cemetery was hardly the place for the children, and mourners would not want a stream of people going through the Cemetery. Without making it railed off, a footpath was not possible, and to rail it off would divide the caretaker’s house from the rest of the Cemetery. Until the Council could get a piece of land outside the Cemetery they did not think the footpath could be made. Mr. Wilmott said he agreed that the footpath must not be through the Cemetery. He wondered whether they could get a path through from the top of Harborough-road to the hedge below the Cemetery. At present there were no graves near that portion, and complaints would not be likely to follow. Mr. Bazeley said that even if Mr. Selwood allowed them a path between his factory and the hedge it was not suitable, and the Council would have to provide two lights there. To put children into the Cemetery would be making something of a recreation ground of it. If the owners of the land would show sufficient public spirit to allow the Council to buy the land at a reasonable price, it would be a practical solution of the problem and would not take away the building value of the land. Mr. Hornsby: Will the Cemetery Sub-Committee negotiate further? Mr. Corby: That is the crux of the question. It does not appear as if we are much nearer. Every committee seems to find difficulty. The only solution seems to be to wait until we get the land. Acknowledgement Mrs. T. Tailby wrote acknowledging the letter sympathy sent from the Council to her brother (Councillor C. E. Bayes) in his illness. |
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