Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 8th, 1932
Wath Urban District Council
Rates Lower Than They Seem
A Cut of Threepence
Baths to Open On Sundays
The Wath Urban Council had several interesting matters before them at the last monthly meeting of the municipal year on Tuesday, Mr. G. Steer presiding.
The Chairman of the Finance Committee (Mr. M. R. Swift) announced a rate of 9s in the £ for the current half-year, a reduction of 3d. “We hope the rates for the current year will be 18s, compared with 19s last year.” During the past four years the rates had shown a steady decrease, as follows, 1929–23/5, 1930–21/6, 1931-20/3; 1932-19s.
There has been a lot of comment on the rates levied by this council but after meeting the calls of the County Council and other precepting authorities, and paying our proportion of the loss on the tramway undertaking, the balance left for this Council’s own purposes have been: 1931 – 6/8, 1932, 5/7 and 1933, 5/8; so that it will be realised that the Council has control of over a little more than one-quarter of the rate levied.”
Mr. Swift pointed out that the Council had made the maximum allowance of 15 per cent, under the Rating and Valuation Act 1925, to owners of property rated up to £13 who paid by the end of the fourth month, so that the effective rate on such property was actually: 1931 – 17/3; 1932, 16/2; and 1933 15/4. Another point to be taken into consideration in comparing the rate with that of other districts was the charge for water, which was below those of any district in this area, and in some cases only a third of the amount charged in some districts on comparable houses. The charge varied from 2 ½d per week on the smallest cottages to 4d per week on the subsidy-type houses. In some South Yorkshire districts, the charge on the latter type was as much as 1s a week. A house assessed at £12 in a district where only 10% rebate was given and where a heavy water charge was inn operation would pay 11d a week more in rates and water charges than a house in Wath.
“If our rates appear higher on the surface than our neighbours, when everything has been taken into consideration, they are actually lower by 2s in the £ on the year than they appear to be.”
Mr. G. Cook said Mr. Swift should be thanked for the statement “Water charges are important, and they are very low in Wath. When we considered them a little while ago, we came to the conclusion that the people were getting the best of the bargain and it was best for that position to remain.”
The Council passed the following resolution without comment: After careful consideration of the sums to be allowed in respect of the councillors and chief officials when away from home on the council business, it is resolved that the existing scale be continued, namely an allowance of 25s per day when away for the night and 15s for a day or part of day when not away all night, together with first-class travelling expenses.
Rents Reduced.
Mr. P. B. Nicholson asked for the reference back of a resolution from the Housing Committee that the rents of all the Council houses be reduced by one penny per week, owing to the reduction in the rate.
Mr. Nicholson said he was not quite certain that the Council were providing all they should for Council houses. Rents should remain as at present, owing to the lack of funds for repairs, etc. Apart from the dampness of the houses, many paths wanted making especially on the West Melton scheme. He had been asked by many residents there for that matter to be put in hand at once. “We should not accept this resolution unless we are assured that there is sufficient money for these things.”
The Acting Clerk (Mr. Roberts) pointed out that the reduction in rent was a definite result of the reduction in rate. The net rent remained.
Mr. H. Popp!ewe!l said the reduction had actually come into operation.
Mr. ‘H. Cutts said a certain percentage was taken from the rents for repairs, and at a former meeting the Accountant stated that the income from that source would meet expenditure. The tenants were due to the reduction.
Mr. Swift: Our houses are on a par with all privately-owned houses.
Mr. Nicholson withdrew his objection and the resolution was carried.
Sunday Bathing
Mr. Popplewell strongly objected to a recommendation from the Baths Committee that the public baths be open on Sunday mornings for men and boys from 7 to 8-30, and for mixed bathing from 8-30 to 10. “It will be detrimental to us and to the sanctity of the Sabbath,” he said. “It is a retrograde step.”
Mr. L. Bramham (Chairman of the Baths Committee): Mr. Popplewell is in the minority and he must bow to the will of the majority.
Mr. Popplewell: you might be thinking it will help the finances of the baths, but it will not. The manager will want paying extra, because this is not in his contract. This step will not be in the best interests of the township.
The Surveyor answering Mr. Cook, said such a thing was not in the Bath Manager’s contract. “Nothing is mentioned about six days a week.”
Mr. Branham said the majority of people using the baths weRe asking for them to be opened on Sundays. This was not an attempt to bolster up the finances of the baths. The revenue accruing from the extensions would more than meet the loan charges.
Mr. Swift: We have many houses where there is no bath. There is no more sin in a man washing himself on a Sunday in our baths than in his home.
Mr. J. A. Braithwaite@: There is plenty of opportunity during the six days for anyone to have a bathe. There are pithead baths everywhere for colliery workers.
Mr. Waddington: There are other workers.
Mr. Bramham: And the manager has to work on a Sunday to get them ready for Monday. The resolution was passed.
Isolation of Pneumonia
The Medical Officer Dr. T. Crowley, reported that last month there were 16 births and 8 deaths giving respective rates of 13.9 and 6.9, and that seven infection cases were reported. The Doctor added that he had received complaints from local doctors and police regarding the light in the mortuary. Mr Swift said that would be dealt with. Mr. Nicholson asked the Medical Officer if it was time they had hospital accommodation for pneumonia cases. In Sheffield, Leeds and London such cases were isolated if isolation was desired. The Dearne Valley was badly off in that respect “We cannot take them at the Wath Hospital at the present time, but might do later. Neither, I understand, can you take them to the Montagu Hospital.” Dr. Crowley replied that certain cases should certainly be removed to hospital. He hoped the Council would take an opportunity of fully discussing the matter, also the question of isolating the early cases of measles.
Mr. Nicholson said the constituent authorities of the Wath Hospital Board would have to be in agreement.
Mr. Cutts said the committee of the Mexboro’ Hospital was hoping, if funds were available, to erect two further wards for medical cases. He thought the Mexboro’ Hospital would be more suitable than an isolation hospital but it was a voluntary hospital. “Wath, Swinton and Bolton Councils make an annual grant of £50 to the Mexboro’ Hospital, but the other Councils in the Association had not yet been persuaded to do the same. “I think there will be greater difficulty in getting them to come into a scheme like this.
Mr. Cook suggested they should hold a special meeting to discuss the question, and this was agreed to.
Malnutrition
Mr. Braithwaite asked Dr. Crowley if he had any cases of malnutrition to report, and he received a negative answer.
Mr. Braithwaite: then something is wrong. Anyone can see there are numerous cases. Mr. Cutts said this matter came up every month before the Education Sub-Committee. About 300 children were now receiving subsidiary nourishment, and only a slight percentage were being asked to contribute. “I think quite a number of people are too shy to come forward.”
Mr. Swift suggested that investigations be left with the Education Sub-Committee and this was agreed.
Unfair Representation
Mr. Roberts read a letter from the Dearne District Electricity Board stating that at the next annual meeting Wath’s representation was to be reduced from four to three. Mr. Roberts advised the Council not to accept the reduction. He understood that the extra member was to be given to Bolton and as the representation, as laid down by Order was determined on population, that wasn’t fair. Thurnscoe’s population had nearly doubled, and they should have the odd number, making their representation three.
Mr Swift: And this might come up at the Gas Board. If Bolton are not satisfied, then it is for the three Councils to get together and discuss this, and not for the Electricity Board to say how many members we shall or shall not have.
Mr. Cook: The Clerk to the Electricity Board has interpreted the Order in a different light to our Clerk. I do not know why Thurnscoe are standing this.
Mr. Bramham moved that the Clerk write to the Board stating that Wath would agree to losing a seat if it was given to Thurnscoe.
Mr. Cutts: It should remain as it is. The other side has five to our four, really. It is a mere matter of quibbling. There are three Councils but only two sides.
The Clerk was instructed to take the matter up with the Electricity Board.
Public Assistance Committee
Mr. Cutts moved that Mr Braithwaite be nominated for appointment to the Public Assistance Committee. Mr. Nicholson said the appointments were made in March by the County Council.
Mr. Cutts: All districts should be in a position to nominate their own member. This puts us in a very invidious position. A person can be appointed from the other side of the district to represent us.
On the motion of Mr. Swift, it was decided that the names of Mr. Braithwaite, Mrs. Nicholson and Mrs. Jacques be forwarded.
Messrs. Braithwaite, Burgin and Shaw were nominated for re-appointment to the Rother Valley Guardians’ Committee.
ITEMS
The annual meeting has been fixed for April 20th.
Permission was granted to Wath and West Melton Hospital Sunday Committee to hold the annual demonstration in the Town Hall grounds on May 8th.
Efforts are being made to ascertain if the method of tipping at Culvert Fields can be improved.
The swimming baths are to be opened on May 2nd