23rd July, 1896
Thursday, July 23rd. Present – Messrs. John Claridge (in the chair), Fred Knight, George Denton, G. H. Skinner, Thos. Bromage, John Spencer, Horace Brawn, J. S. Clipson, G. S. Mason (clerk), Wm. Pare (surveyor).
PLANS – The following plans, approved in committee, were confirmed by the Council:- Shop and dwelling-house, Wellingborough-road, for Mr. G. H. Skinner; coach-house and stable, Harborough-road, for Mr. Geo. Skinner; alterations to show-room, High-street, for Mr. J. F. Knight.
RE-APPOINTMENT OF MEDICAL OFFICER – Mr. G. H. Skinner moved that Dr. Owen be re-appointed medical officer for another year from June 24th, 1896. Mr. F. Knight seconded, and the motion was carried nem. con.
INSPECTOR – The Inspector, Mr. J. B. Martin, was also re-appointed, on the motion of Messrs. Denton and Clipson.
THE SEAL OF THE COUNCIL was affixed to the agreement with the County Council with regard to the maintenance of the main roads, which agreement had already been approved.
THE APPLICATION of Mr. Watchorn for the renewal of his license was agreed to.
|
3rd September, 1896
Thursday, September 3rd. Present:- Messrs. W. H. Wilkins (chairman), John Claridge (vice-chairman), Fred Knight, G. Denton, J. S. Clipson, P. Cave, G. H. Skinner, G. Miller, John Spencer, T. Bromage, Horace Brawn, G. S. Mason (clerk), Wm. Pare (surveyor), J. B. Martin (inspector.)
PLANS AND WATER COMMITTEE – At a meeting of this committee plans were submitted for 14 houses on Pytchley-road, for Messrs. Elton and Hart, and passed. Regarding the projecting gable at the New Inn, the Chairman reported that he had informed Mr. Sharman that the arrangements made in regard to the extension of that building were not being adhered to, and the surveyor had been instructed to inform Mr. Sharman that the committee would insist on the gable being put back to the building line as agreed to, and that the eaves must not extend more than six inches beyond the gable. At a further meeting of the same committee plans had been presented for a workshop on Rushden Hill for Mr. Checksfield, and approved; also for a house, store, and stable in High-street, for Messrs. Phipps and Co., which were passed, subject to the cellar drainage being shown to the satisfaction of the surveyor. The Gas Company made an application for the town water to be laid on to their premises, the applicants intimating that they would be prepared to provide the money for the cost of the main, until such time as it should be required by the Council for other purposes. The application was acceded to on these terms. The recommendations of the committee were confirmed.
HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE – An application was received from the owners of property on the Windmill Estate, asking for the roads thereon to be made by the Council. The clerk was instructed to reply that the Council were prepared to enter into an agreement with some responsible person on behalf of the Estate in question, in the same manner as with the owners on other estates, the maintenance term to be five years. The surveyor was instructed to proceed with footpath improvements at Mr. Ward’s corner, and in front of Mr. Wilkerson’s shop. The minutes of the meeting were confirmed by the Council.
A LETTER was read from Messrs. Burnham, Son, and Lewin, as representing the owners on the Spencer Park Estate, with regard to the matter of compensation for the sewage crossing their land. The Council thought it would be best for the applicants to send in their claim before any action was taken.
THE Chairman mentioned that plans had been sent in that day for four closets to houses in High-street owned by Dr. Owen. Mr. Denton thought the matter should be brought before the Plans Committee in the usual course; but the Council differing from this view, passed the plans.
NEITHER Dr. Owen or Mr. Martin had anything to report, which the Council thought a very satisfactory state of affairs.
A GOOD SUGGESTION – Mr. Cave raised the question as to the necessity of the Council working under improved conditions. That room, he declared, was much too small to hold the 16 or 17 persons who usually assembled at the Council meetings, and taking into account the adjoining room, which was used as a club for a merely nominal sum, he thought it might be made into a good Council Chamber. Their present room was badly ventilated, and he himself frequently went home with a bad headache. The Surveyor, too, had to use that room as an office, and he (Mr. Cave) certainly thought that officer should have better conditions to work under. The Chairman suggested that the proper way would be to give notice of the question, a course to which Mr. Cave assented, and at once notified his intention to raise the matter at the next meeting.
AGRICULTURAL RATES ACT – The Chairman produced a valuation list prepared by the overseers separating the buildings from the agricultural land for the purposes of the Agricultural Rates Act. It appeared that the rateable value of the land was a little over £3,000, and taking the poor rate at 3s in the £, savings to the rates on land would amount to about £225 per annum, the greater part of which would be repaid as Government grant.
|
|
17th September, 1896
Thursday, September 17th. Present:- Messrs. W. H. Wilkins (chairman), John Claridge (vice-chairman), Fred Knight, George Denton, W. H. Brawn, T. Bromage, John Spencer, Paul Cave, G. H. Skinner, J. S. Clipson, George S. Mason (clerk), and W. Pare (surveyor).
PLANS AND WATER COMMITTEE – Plans were presented for plumber’s and painter’s workshop, off Church-lane, for Mr. H. Wheeler, and rejected on account of insufficiency of thickness of walls; Mr. John Clarke, villa residence on Wellingborough-road, passed subject to sufficient ventilation being provided for ante-room; Mrs. Lucy Brown, for shop and house in Queen-street, and passed. The Surveyor reported progress with regard to the new trial well at Wymington, and was authorised to use jack pumps for further sinking.
HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE – Application for the better lighting of Washbrook-road was considered, and it was decided to apply to the Gas Company to provide additional mains for that purpose.
FINANCE COMMITTEE – The County Council’s proposed scale of Returning Officer’s fees was considered, and several alterations were recommended.
THE QUESTION OF NEW OFFICES – In accordance with notice given at the previous meeting, Mr. Cave now moved that it was desirable to provide better accommodation for the Council, and also for the officers in its employ. He had considered the matter for some time, and he thought an opportunity now presented itself for carrying the idea into effect. He suggested the Council should use the adjoining room, now occupied by the Vestry Hall Club, and that notice should be given to that club in order that they might have time to make arrangements for the future. The room in which the Council now met was utterly inadequate to its needs, and it was also time the surveyor had a proper office in which to carry on his work. He recognised the good the club had done, but remarked that it was started at a time when there was no other place in the town for the young men to go to. Now, however, the case was altered, for there was the Coffee Tavern, the Conservative Club, the Working Men’s Club, and other places in which they could read their papers and get recreation. He maintained that the Council needed a large room, and the surveyor a proper office, and therefore he had pleasure in moving that better facilities be provided for carrying on the business of the town. Mr. Miller enquired if there were any other sites available for the town buildings? The Chairman took it that Mr. Cave’s proposition was merely to provide better accommodation? Mr. Cave: Yes. Mr. Miller: Do you mean that we stick to the present building? Mr. Cave: yes, but if the Council thought it necessary to erect others he would certainly support it. The Chairman, in reply to Mr. Cave, said the club only paid the nominal rent of £1 per year, and suggested that the Council give the club twelve months’ notice, so that it might have time to make arrangements, and the Council time to look the matter all round carefully. Mr. Miller seconded the proposition, but did not agree with waiting a year, as accommodation was required so badly. Mr. F. Knight agreed with Mr. Cave that a better room was needed. There were some 150 members in the club, but he did not see why the Council should not have the larger room if it was necessary.
The rest of the article is missing.
|
|
15th October, 1896
Thursday, October 15th. Present: Messrs. W. H. Wilkins (chairman), J. Claridge, T. Wilmott, F. Knight, Horace Brawn, G. Miller, T. Bromage, Paul Cave, J. Spencer, J. S. Clipson, G. H. Skinner, G. S. Mason (clerk), W. Pare (surveyor).
PLANS – The following plans were passed: E. Knight, for converting dwelling-house into shop in High-street, south; Mrs. L. Brown, shop in Queen-street; Mr. Northern (amended plan) for lock-up shop in Church-street; and F. Bayes for house Harborough-road.
HIGHWAYS AND LIGHTING: MILL FIELD ESTATE – The Surveyor was instructed to prepare plans and specifications for making the roads. Mr. Miller gave notice to move that the resolution regarding the Mill Field Estate be rescinded.
CHARITY TRUSTEES – The Chairman mentioned that the appointment of trustees to administer the various charities was now vested entirely in the hands of the Council, and it was for the meeting to appoint trustees in the place of those retiring, viz. Messrs. W. H. Wilkins, Geo. Denton, and Samuel Knight. The others were Messrs. T. Tailby and G. H. Skinner. After some discussion it was unanimously resolved that Messrs. G. Denton, F. Knight, and J. Claridge be elected to the vacant offices.
THE SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS TO THE VESTRY HALL – The Chairman produced plans which had been provided by the surveyor of suggested alterations to the Vestry Hall so as to make a more convenient Council Chamber. These plans provided for the division of the reading-room into two, so as to make both a Council Chamber and a surveyor’s office. After discussion it was resolved to advertise in the local papers for tenders for the carrying out of the work
THE CLERK’S SALARY – At a meeting of the Finance Committee an application by the clerk for an increase of salary was considered, and after consideration it was decided to recommend the Council to raise the salary of the clerk to £100 per annum. The Chairman said that they had no idea of the work which the clerkship involved. He was quite sure the £100 would be none too much. Compared with the salaries paid by neighbouring Councils the sum was exceedingly moderate. Mr. Miller proposed, and Mr. Clipson seconded, that the increase be granted, and after Mr. Cave, Mr. Claridge, and other members had borne testimony to the thoroughness of Mr. Mason’s work the resolution was carried unanimously. It was decided that the matter of the collector’s salary stand over.
THE ASPHALTERS – Mr. Skinner raised the question of the Council’s workmen – more particularly the asphalters – being paid as usual when rain prevented them working, and this question also was deferred.
|
|
29th October, 1896
Thursday, October 29th. Present: Messrs. W. H. Wilkins (chairman), J. Claridge (vice-chairman), Thos. Wilmott, G. Denton, H. Brawn, G. Miller, F. Knight, J. Spencer, T. Bromage, J. S. Clipson, P. Cave, G. S. Mason (clerk), and W. Pare (surveyor).
PLANS were passed for four houses in Wentworth-road for Mr. W. Clarke, iron buildings, Station-road, Mr. G. Yates; two houses, Kimbolton-road, Mr. G. S. Mason and Miss Mason; house and workshop, in Sartoris-road, Mr. J. C. Mayo; six houses, Wellingborough-road, Mr. J. Jaques.
THE SURVEYOR – The Chairman stated that in the course of the very few and occasional holidays taken by the surveyor this summer, he had sat for an examination conducted by the Incorporated Association of Municipal and County Engineers. The examination, which was held at Liverpool, was a very comprehensive one, and included land surveying, levelling, hydraulics, waterworks, sewerage, road-making and repairing, building construction, sanitary science, and public health generally. Mr. Pare had passed the examination, and was now entitled to add the letters M.I.A.M.C.E. to his name. He was sure the Council would be glad to learn that their Surveyor had successfully passed these examinations, and would join in congratulating him upon his professional advancement.
ALTERATIONS TO THE VESTRY HALL – The following tenders had been received for the proposed alterations to the Vestry Hall :- Mr. T. Swindall, £99; Messrs. C. Bayes and Son, £87 5s.; Mr. T. Wilmott, junr., £84; Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin, £83 10s.; Mr. R. Marriott, junr., £77; Mr. H. Sparrow, £70; Mr. A. Marriott, for heating apparatus, £33; and the work to be done by the Council in connection with the alterations would amount to £16. Taking the lowest estimate in conjunction with the cost of heating apparatus and the Council’s own work, the total came out as £119 – the Surveyor’s estimate having been £114. On the motion of Mr. Cave, seconded by Mr. Claridge, Mr. Sparrow’s tender was accepted.
Mr. Cave reported that he had received a communication from the Midland Railway Co., intimating their willingness to set back their fencing in High-street near the station.
|
|
No date
Present: Messrs. W. H. Wilkins (in the chair), John Claridge (vice-chairman), Geo. Miller, Geo. Denton, F. Knight, G. H. Skinner, Horace Brawn, Paul Cave, G. S. Mason (clerk), Dr. Owen, and J. B. Martin (inspector).
PLANS COMMITTEE – At a meeting of this committee on the 23rd inst., plans were presented by Mr. W. P. Abbott for a Working Men’s Club on the Windmill Estate, and passed; by Messrs. Ellis and Everard for an office and store-room on a site opposite the Midland Railway Station, and rejected; by Mr. Henson for two houses in Robinson-road, and passed; by Mr. C. R. Owen for workshop in Manning’s-row, and passed; by Mr. J. Northern for additions to house in Church-street, occupied by Misses Course and Hewitt, and passed; by Mrs. Smith for additions to houses in Beaconsfield-place, and passed.
HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE – 23rd September, Ditchford-lane. A letter was read from Messrs. Hipwell calling attention to the state of the approaches to the bridge over the canal near Ditchford Mill, and the clerk was instructed to reply that enquiries should be made as to the Council’s liabilities for the repairs in question.
WINDMILL ESTATE. A letter was read from Mr. T. Wright asking to be allowed to asphalt the footpaths in front of his houses on that estate, and eventually Mr. Denton proposed that the Council put into operation the Private Street Works Act, which Mr. Miller seconded, at the same time taking the opportunity to disabuse the Council of any personal interest in the estate. After still further discussion, Mr. Denton withdrew his resolution, which Mr. Miller at once proposed. The Chairman took it the resolution was to the effect that the work be carried out under the Private Street Works Act, and the repairs also be undertaken by the town. Mr. Miller: Yes. Mr. Skinner moved that the Council do the work temporarily, but not undertake the repair of the roads afterwards. On the amendment being put to the vote, it received the support of five members and was declared carried; and being put as a substantive motion, the same number voted in its behalf, Messrs. Claridge and Denton not voting, and Mr. Miller voting against. It was accordingly decided that the surveyor take the necessary preliminary steps.
SANITARY – Dr. Owen reported that he had tested a sample of water from the waterworks, and found it perfectly good. He further reported a case of scarlet fever in Wellingborough-road, which was progressing satisfactorily.
APPLICATIONS for increases of salary from the clerk and Mr. J. Sargent were referred to the Finance Committee. An application by Mr. Warren for a slaughter-house license was refused.
|
|
10th December, 1896
Thursday, December 10th. Present: Messrs. W. H. Wilkins (chairman), John Claridge (vice-chairman), W. H. Brawn, J. S. Clipson, G. Miller, F. Knight, G. Denton, J. Spencer, Geor. S. Mason (clerk), W. Pare (surveyor).
PLANS – The Plans Committee reported that plans had been submitted by Mr. T. Swindall for four houses in Midland-road, and passed; by Mr. Eli Robinson for two houses and bake-house in Grove-street, and passed, as amended; by Mr. Fred Cave, for addition to house in Victoria-road, and passed; by Miss S. E. Foskett, for three houses in Essex-road, and passed; and by Mr. Checksfield for house and shop in Higham-road, and passed. The report of the Committee was adopted.
HIGHWAYS – The Highways Committee reported that a fence line had been agreed upon with Mr. Franklin for his property on the north side of the railway bridge, conditionally upon his providing an iron kerbing for the footpath and preparing bottom for asphalting, and also pitching any crossing he may require with granite setts. The Committee also reported that some matters in dispute with the Midland Railway Company were in the way to a friendly settlement. The report was adopted.
MEASLES – The Medical Officer reported an epidemic of measles of a mild type, and recommended a series of precautions to be taken, and for all the schools to be disinfected thoroughly during the Christmas holidays. The doctor’s recommendations were adopted, and it was also decided to distribute handbills, embodying the same, throughout the parish. The Sanitary Inspector said he had visited all cases that had come to his knowledge, and advised as to the use of disinfectants.
POWERS OF A PARISH COUNCIL – The Chairman stated that an “order” had been received from the Local Government Board conferring upon the Council a further instalment of the powers of a Parish Council. Parish property, such as the vestry-hall, now vested in the overseers, would henceforth be vested in the Urban Council, and the Council would exercise the power now possessed by the overseers (with the special sanction of the vestry) of appealing against the Valuation List of any other parish in the Union, or against the basis of the County Rate. He incidentally mentioned that a Bill had been prepared by the Urban Council Association to give urban councils representation on assessment committees, which was approved as decidedly a step in the right direction, and a hope expressed that it might lead to one assessment both for imperial and local taxation.
SLAUGHTER HOUSES – a LENGTHY LETTER WAS READ FROM Mr. Newman complaining of the Council’s action in refusing to license a slaughter-house for Mr. E. Warren in the Cromwell-road, but the Council saw no reason for altering their decisions.
NEXT MEETING – As the next ordinary meeting of the Council would be on Christmas Eve, it was decided to adjourn for a month, with the understanding that a special meeting would be called if necessary. The fortnightly committee meetings would be held as usual.
|
Part 1
|
