23^rd April, 1926

Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman
The L.M.S. Road Agreement
Rectory-Road To Be Completed To The Station?

  The annual meeting of the Rushden Urban Council was held on Wednesday.  Present Messrs. C. W. Horrell, C.A., J.P. (retiring chairman), C. Claridge (retiring vice-chairman),  T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. C. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Spencer, J.P., 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).

  Mr. Horrell moved the election of Mr. Claridge as chairman for the ensuing year, and said it needed no emphasis to speak of Mr. Claridge’s ability and outstanding qualifications after his four-years’ service on the Council.  No one had taken a more intelligent interest in matters coming before the Council than had Mr. Claridge.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Bates seconded, and it was carried.

  Giving the new chairman a handshake of welcome, Mr. Horrell wished Mr. Claridge a happy year of office.

  Mr. Claridge thanked the Council, and said he felt some trepidation after so little experience as he had had.  Mr. Horrell had not had to be away from any meetings, and he (Mr. Claridge) had been chairman only of the Baths Committee.  He would do his best and felt sure of the support of the whole Council.  (Hear, hear.)  With that and the help of their esteemed Clerk and the other officials he hoped to give satisfaction and to be able to further the interests of the town.  (Applause.)

  Mr. Coles moved that Mr. Hornsby be the vice-chairman, and pointed to the length of service on the Council which Mr. Hornsby had done.  Mr. Hornsby was well qualified to carry out the duties.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Newberry seconded, the Chairman supported, and the motion was carried.

  In response, Mr. Hornsby thanked the members and said he hoped he would have good health to carry out the duties.  Though not a native of Rushden, he had lived in the town 36 years and had taken a deep interest in the town’s welfare.  He hoped the chairman, all the members, and the officials, would also have good health in the coming year. (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Claridge moved thanks to Mr. Horrell for his services of the past year, and said that the duties had been carried out in a satisfactory manner, Mr. Horrell paying assiduous attention to the work, not having missed a meeting.  He had given his services for the welfare of the town, and a record of the Council’s appreciation should be made.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Spencer seconded, adding that Mr. Horrell had not wasted words and had given ample time for discussion, observing strict impartiality all the time.  (Hear, hear.)

  The proposition was carried.

  Replying, Mr. Horrell thanked the members, and said that in their satisfaction he was more than repaid.  He acknowledged the loyal support of the Council and asked them to accord the same to the new chairman.  Mr. Horrell also spoke of the great assistance he had received from Mr. Mason and Mr. W. L. Beetenson, stating that one did not need to be a member of the Council for long to realise how efficient was the clerical

Work of The Council

performed.  From his knowledge of other towns he knew they in Rushden ought to be very grateful that they had the services of Mr. Mason.  Mr. Horrell hoped it would be very long before there was any change.  (Hear, hear.)  He also thanked the Surveyor, the Sanitary Inspector, and the Medical Officer, pointing to the extra duties which the Surveyor had had owing to the housing and the extra work on the Sanitary Department with the epidemic in the past year.  Finally, he would thank the Press for their intelligent reports.  He would look back on his year of office as chairman with a great deal of pleasure.  (Applause.)

  Mr. Swindall proposed thanks to Mr. Claridge for his services as vice-chairman last year, and, alluding to the Rectory-road improvement, said he hoped that the scheme, begun in Mr. Horrell’s term of office, would be completed in Mr. Claridge’s.

  Mr. Bates seconded.

  Mr. Claridge suitably replied.

  On the suggestion of Mr. Perkins, it was agreed that a record be made in the minutes of the chairman’s appreciation of the officials as well as of the retired chairman and the late vice-chairman.

  Committee were appointed as follow:

Finance, Messrs. Bates, Hornsby, Coles, Corby, Knight, Horrell, Claridge, Allebone, and Roe; Highways, Messrs. Coles, Spencer, Horrell, Swindall, Knight, Newberry, Claridge, Wilmott, and Tarry; Housing, Messrs. Bates, Bazeley, Spencer, Corby, Perkins, Allen, Allebone, Wilmott, and Roe; Sanitary, Messrs. Hornsby, Bazeley, Corby, Allen, Swindall, Newberry, Greenfield, Tarry, and Claridge; Parks and Baths, Messrs. Bates, Coles, Spencer, Knight, Perkins, Horrell, Wilmott, Greenfield, and Roe.  It was also resolved that the chairman of the Council pro tem. be ex officio a member of each committee.  Messrs. Hornsby, Knight, Swindall, and Wilmott were re-appointed representatives of the Council on the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board, Mr. Claridge and Mr. Coles being elected to the two vacancies (caused by the death of Mr. Bayes and by Mr. Spencer retiring in favour of Mr. Coles).

Housing

  The Clerk read a letter from the Ministry of Health, dated April 15^th, on the subject of the proposed 40 houses on the Irchester-road site.  The letter stated that it would appear desirable to reconsider the question of the planning of the houses with a view of obviating the disadvantage of the northern aspect of the non-parlour houses.

  Mr. Bates said there was an alternative scheme which he thought the Housing Committee could deal with quickly.

  Mr. Bazeley suggesting, it was agreed that the whole Council should deal with the letter so as not to have to wait a month for final approval.

  Dr. Greenfield said that where there was no parlour, the only sitting-room should not face north – that would be wrong.  For the sake of health the sun should shine into the room.

  It was decided to consider the letter and alternative scheme in committee.

Rectory-Road

  The L.M.S. Railway Company’s Chief Engineer wrote in regard to the interview he had had at Rushden with members of the Council, the Surveyor, and the Clerk on the railway station approaches.  The general manager of the Company was now willing to agree to the following:  The Railway Company to give up the land leading through to Beaconsfield-terrace, the Council to bear the cost of the alterations and maintenance of all the road work, fencing, draining, lighting, etc., to the satisfaction of the Company; the Council at their own cost, and to the satisfaction of the Company, to maintain the road approach to High-street, sewers, drains, and lights included, and remove the gates (claimed by the Company). The Company to have full access to the roads, the arrangements being subject to the Council coming to a satisfactory settlement with Messrs. Ellis and Everard to give up a portion of their tenancy, including any alteration to the building required.

  The Clerk said the scheme should not be expensive.

  Replying to Mr. Bazeley, the Surveyor said they could miss the railway siding.

  Dr. Greenfield asked whether the Council would be responsible up to the goods-yard.

  The Clerk: No; only to the footpath leading to the station steps.

  Mr. Horrell moved that the offer be accepted.

  Mr. Bates seconded.

  Dr. Greenfield: We all warmly approve.

  The vote was unanimously in favour.

  A request from all the bands in the town to be allowed to send a deputation to the Council was referred to the Parks Committee.

16^th April, 1926

Levying The New Rate
Where The Motor-Buses Should Not Stop
Food Covered With A Filthy Overcoat

  Wednesday, present Messrs. C. W. Horrell, C.A., J.P. (chairman), C. Claridge (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Spencer, J.P., 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).

  At a special meeting of the Council held on March 31^st, it was reported the Council had appointed the chairman, vice-chairman, and Clerk to attend a meeting to-morrow (Saturday) at Northampton to consider the Rating and Valuation Act and assessment areas affected thereunder.

  The minutes were passed.

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday March 17^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), C. W. Horrell, J. Allen, W. Bazeley, T. F. B. Newberry, and T. Wilmott.

Plans For Further Houses

  The Surveyor submitted plans for 40 additional houses on the Irchester-road site purchased from Mr. Sartoris, ten of which were of the parlour type.  The Surveyor explained that the plans were not yet sufficiently advanced for submission to the Ministry, and he was instructed immediately this was so to visit the Ministry and obtain their preliminary approval, with a view to inviting tenders.  The report was adopted.

Council in Committee

  A meeting of the whole Council in Committee was held at the site of the proposed Park, Bedford-road, on Saturday, March 20^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, J. Allen, A. Allebone, W. Bazeley, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

  The committee met the members of the Co-operative Society’s committee, inspected the field proposed to be given to the town, and discussed with them the lay-out of same.  The Society submitted a plan and drawings of the amusements they were providing.    It was decided that the children’s swings, etc., should be fixed on the north side of the field and that the consideration of further improvements be left with the Parks Committee.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 24^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. T. Wilmott (chairman), A. Allebone, J. Allen, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, and W. C. Tarry.

Plans

were presented for:

  House in Victoria-road for Mr. Arthur Sanders, and passed.

  Additions to house in Grove-road for Mr. W. E. Capon, and passed.

  Motor garage in Essex-road for Mr. J. W. Wrighton, and no exception taken.

  Cycle and tool shed for Mr. W. Dickens on the St. Crispin Estate, and passed.

Miscellaneous Buildings

  Three applications were received for permission to erect small wooden sheds near their premises from Miss Riseley, Washbrook-road, Mr. W. G. Dodge, Irchester-road, and Mr. J. Coles, Harborough-road, and no exception taken.

Outside Signs

  An application was received from Mr. William Wright for permission to erect a Kodak sign outside his business premises in High-street, and was acceded to subject to its being at least 9ft. in height clear of the pavement.

Pavement Gutters

  Attention was called to the many defective pavement gutters and cellar openings in the pavement in various parts of the town, and it was resolved that the Surveyor be requested to make an inspection and report to the next meeting of the committee.

Classified Roads

  The Surveyor submitted the following estimates for the maintenance and improvement of the classified roads during the ensuing year:

No. 1 (Wellingborough-road)

  Maintenance £900.  Improvements £232

No. 2 (Irchester-road)

  Maintenance £170.  Improvements £952.

  The estimates were approved.

Main Roads

  The Surveyor reported that his estimate for the maintenance of main roads for the year ending March 31^st, 1927, amounted to £2,703  7s.  7d., which was submitted to the County Surveyor on February 11^th last, but as yet no approval had been received.

District Roads in Rural Areas

  A circular letter from the Ministry of Transport was received with respect to grants for maintenance and improvement of district roads in rural areas, and the Surveyor was instructed to put forward an application in respect of Newton-road and Wymington-road.

Team Labour

  Tenders were received for day-work carting for the ensuing six months from Messrs. Holley, Spriggs, and Wilmott.  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 last six months.

Employers’ Holidays

  A letter was received from the National Union of Municipal Workers as to employees’ holidays, and the Surveyor was instructed to make inquiries from other Local Authorities in the district as to the practice in their districts.

Bedford-Road Culvert And Footpath

Higham-Road Footpath

  A letter was received from the Surveyor to the County Council stating that the finances of the county would not permit of a grant from their funds for these improvements during the present year, but they would be prepared to support any application the Council might make to the Ministry of Transport for a grant from that body.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Wilmott said the Lighting Committee suggested that as Summer Time came into force on Sunday they discontinue lighting street lamps from Saturday other than those in High-street and at junctions usually kept alight all night.

  The Council adopted the committee’s suggestion.

  Mr. Newberry called attention to the hindrance to traffic caused when two ’buses were together at the top of Church-street, and also to the dangerous practice of some ’bus drivers in turning up Griffith-street and backing into High-street.  He asked if the Highways Committee would consider the matters.

  The Chairman said the Highways Committee would probably decide to refer the matter to the police, as coming in their jurisdiction.

  Mr. Spencer: I think we can make by-laws.

  Dr. Greenfield said that there were places in High-street where ’buses from the Higham direction stopped at the bottom of Queen-street, which should not allowed on account of the narrowness of the road.  They would not cause so much obstruction or danger if they stopped opposite the Post Office.  He suggested that the police be notified of that and that the ’buses be not stopped between Victoria-road and the Post Office.

  The Chairman said that if the Highways Committee submitted a proposal to the police he had no doubt action would be taken.

  Mr. Spencer referred to the projected improvement in Bedford-road (of culverting the brook etc.) and asked if the County Council had gone back on their promise to assist.  He understood that the County Council had promised last year that if the improvement were deferred until this year they would grant 25 per cent. of the cost and the Road Board would also make a grant.

  The Chairman said that last year the County Council did practically promise 25 per cent., but the Road Board refused their 50 per cent.  This year the County Council had gone back on their 25 per cent. and there was no reply about the 50 per cent.  Rushden Council could apply to the Ministry of Transport for a grant.

  Mr. Spencer:  It looks as if all the bigger authorities are trying to throw the burden on the local bodies, when it should be borne by the county or the National Exchequer.

  Mr. Wilmott said that the County Council had even asked for schemes of improvement and the Surveyor had sent that scheme (of improving Bedford-road) to be included in those for grants to be allocated by the County Council.  Now there was no money to allocate

  Mr. Newberry suggested that it would cost this Council no more to do the culverting (towards the Tecnic boot factory) than to clean out the brook so often.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 31^st, 1926, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, J. Hornsby, and J. Roe.

Estimates

  The Clerk submitted the estimates for the financial year ending March 31^st, 1927.  The total estimated expenditure was £34,810  10s.  5d., and the estimated receipts other than General District Rate £17,152  12s., thus leaving a sum of £17,657  18s.  5d. to be raised by rate.  A rate of 8s. in the £ was estimated to produce £17,719 after deducting the proceeds of a penny rate transferred to the Assisted Housing Account, which would provide for a working balance at the end of the year, after taking into account £400 for various accounts now outstanding, of £491  1s.  7d.

  It was resolved to adopt the estimates as submitted and to recommend the Council to levy a rate for the first half-year at 4s. in the £.  The Rates Clerk was instructed to prepare a General District Rate accordingly for sealing at the next meeting of the Council.

  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 31^st, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), W. Bazeley, 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 March was received.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 29 nuisances had been abated.

  Fifty-two visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections he discovered a quantity of beef, beef offal, and pork offal, together with various tins of fruit, fish, etc., to be diseased and unfit for food, all of which had been destroyed in the usual way.

  Nine rooms had been disinfected since the last meeting, following cases of infectious disease.  At the Depot a quantity of bedding and one Library book had been disinfected, and a quantity of bedding destroyed at the Sewage Farm, all after cases of infectious disease.    The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work and inspections since the last meeting.

Petroleum Acts

  An application was received from Mr. A. H. Scroxton, of No. 14, Portland-road, for a licence to store 600 gallons of petrol in a store on the premises lately occupied by Messrs. York, Ward, and Rowlatt, High-street, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto subject to the store being to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Pratt-Road

  With regard to the complaints received with regard to a plot of land in Pratt-road which on visiting the Inspector had found littered with rubbish, it was resolved to take possession of it as a garden allotment and to request the Allotment Association to take the matter in hand with other garden allotments.    The Surveyor was instructed in the first instance to clear away the rubbish.

Bedford-Road Cottages

  The Inspector was requested to communicate with the owner’s agent with a view to having these cottages put in a more sanitary condition by having them connected with the sewer.

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 accepted.

Cemetery Extension

  A letter was received from the Ministry of Health stating that their Inspector, Lieut.-Colonel L. F. Wells, D.S.O., M.I.C.E., had been instructed to investigate this matter locally and proposed to attend Rushden on Thursday, April 8^th, at 10.45.

  It was arranged that the Chairman of this committee, the Medical Officer, and the Surveyor should meet him with the Clerk at the Cemetery at eleven o’clock on that day.  The report was adopted.

Food and Filth

  Dr. Greenfield said there was one matter which he wished to bring before the Sanitary Committee.  Although he was a member of the committee and could inform the members in the usual way, he wished to make the statement publicly so as to make it widely known.  He had interested himself in a clean supply of food in the town, and that day he saw in High-street a baker’s cart with the loaves covered with the filthiest overcoat, the very same overcoat which he had frequently seen thrown over the horse’s back.  Bread was one of the things which they all had to eat, and it was not cooked again after the public bought it.  It was a public disgrace that bread should be covered so filthily, and he thought the Council should take steps to stop such abuses.  The Chairman thanked the doctor, and said the matter should be considered.

Finance

  It was decided to apply to the Ministry of Health for sanction for a loan of £1,600 to purchase the remainder of field No. 50.  The seal of the Council was placed to an agreement to borrow from Mr. J. Knight the sum of £1,200 at 5 per cent., and also to a similar agreement with the Rushden Co-operative Society for the sum of £457 at 5 per cent. for the hard tennis courts.  It was agreed to apply for the permission to the Ministry of Health to borrow £400 to purchase the site for the swimming bath.

  A general district rate of 4s. in the £ for the half-year (the same as for the second half of last year) was made on the proposition of Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Newberry, being estimated to produce £9,048  10s.  9d.

  Permission was granted to the Rushden Labour Party to use Spencer Park – and the bandstand, by arrangement with the band who would have used it – on the proposition of Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Claridge.

  Mr. Newberry moved that the Rushden Fire Brigade be complimented by the Council on their very smart work at the Hinwick Hall fire recently.  He said the Rushden Brigade were on the scene several minutes before the Wellingborough Brigade.

  Mr. Spencer seconded the motion, which was carried.