Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 14 April 1933

Odds And Ends

An Evening of Small Change

Increased Rate

A meeting of the Wombwell Urban Council was held on Tuesday, the Chairman (Mr. R. T. Preeton) presiding.

A resolution of the Parks Committee authorising the Surveyor (Mr. W. Quest) to appoint a man temporarily to the position of assistant at the Hemingfield Welfare ground during the summer was the subject of a lengthy and heated discussion.

Mr. C. Boocock asked whether the Committee had actually appointed the man. If not, was the position advertised in the usual way, or did only two or three persons apply ?

The Chairman: According to the minute the man has not yet been appointed. It is left to the surveyor.

Mr. F. Cooke: May I ask whether this man will be engaged under the rota scheme?

The Chairman: No, sir.

Mr. Boocock : I take it the surveyor has not definitely appointed this man yet?

Mr. J. W. Mellor said that neither the surveyor nor anyone else could make an appointment until the minute had been confirmed by the Council. Personally he had not the slightest idea whom the surveyor was going to appoint.

The Chairman: The man has not yet been appointed.

Mr. H. Hallsworth: Is anyone going to have a chance of making an application, or has the surveyor a person in mind?

Mr. Newsome: Is it true that three men applied to the surveyor for the position?

The Chairman: Yes.

The Chairman agreed with Mr. Newsome that it was decided in committee that to appoint a man under the rota scheme was impracticable. It was left to the surveyor to appoint one of three men. The surveyor had confidence in the men who had applied.

Mr. F. Cooke said the minute was out of order. The Council had passed a resolution that any job of unskilled labour becoming vacant should be filled under the rota scheme.

Mr. W. Stubbs said the committee considered that the work was of a skilled nature and they could not allow anyone without experience to supervise a park scheme. The rota system could not be applied. After hearing the surveyor’s explanation about the three men they decided that he knew more about them than the committee.

Mr. Boocock: I want to know why only three men applied. Has someone been prompted? Why should not everyone have a chance of applying?

The Chairman recalled that two months ago the Council decided by resolution to take over the scheme. The report appeared in the papers, and arising from it no doubt people had applied to the surveyor for the job. They had had applications from men at the extreme end of the township. The committee felt it was not convenient to appoint a man under the rota scheme. To change one man for another every nine weeks in a position of that description was not practicable.

Mr. Boocock: I am satisfied, Mr. Chairman, that you know more than you care to say.

Mr. Collindridge: Can we settle this question by agreeing that anyone with experience for the post will have an opportunity of applying to the surveyor for it?

The Chairman: Yes.

Rota Committee.

Mr. Boocock referred to a resolution of the Highways and Buildings Committee instructing the Clerk to reply to a matter relating to the application of the rota scheme. They had a Rota Committee, and he contended that all such matters should be referred to it.

Mr. F. Collindridge agreed.

Welfare Grounds.

The question of the maintenance of Welfare schemes being under discussion, Mr. J. Pascoe asked if it was possible to provide seats in the recreation ground at New Scarborough.

The Chairman said if Mr. Pascoe had any suggestions to make he could bring them before the appropriate committee.

Library.

The minutes of the Library Committee having been read, Mr. Boocock asked “Is it true that the Library Committee want to cut out the branch libraries?”

Mr. T. Newsome (chairman of the committee): Yes.

The Chairman The question does not arise on the minutes.

Ambulance Fee.

Mr. W. Stubbs referred to the new regulations applying to use of the public ambulance. He suggested the adoption of the principle of works committees making themselves responsible for the payment of the fee where the ambulance was ordered on their authority, instead of the fee having to be paid In advance.

Mr. Collindridge said they would see from the minutes that the regulations for the use of the ambulance had been discussed anew and the matter referred to a sub-committee. When the fee of half-a-crown was fixed they had in mind the ambulance being used to convey patients to the local hospital, but a case had cropped up where it was necessary to convey a patient fifty or sixty miles. That obviously was a matter that would have to be discussed afresh. He agreed with Mr. Stubbs that where the application came from an organisation such as he had mentioned consideration should be given to the matter. They had made a genuine attempt to meet a public need in the most generous manner, and he hoped the members would allow them to re-consider the matter in the light of what had cropped up.

Bath Charges for Unemployed.

Mr. T. Newsome invited the Council to consider the question of reducing the charge for admission at the baths to the unemployed. Such steps had already been taken in important centres and Wombwell should not be behind. The unemployed of Sheffield were allowed to use the baths at a charge of a penny. Such a concession would be widely appreciated. He suggested that one afternoon or one evening a week be set aside.

Mr. H. Copeland (chairman of the Baths Committee) said it would be difficult to organise, but if the Council wished to give them some suggestion they would certainly consider it.

Mr. J. Pascoe said when the matter was discussed in committee it was mentioned that the charges at Wombwell baths were the lowest in the district.

Mr. J. W. Mellor said the prevalence of unemployment in the district certainly justified the matter being considered, particularly since Mitchell Main Colliery had been shut down. The question was referred to committee for consideration.

The Council confirmed a recommendation of the Infant Welfare Committee that Miss Gladys M. Lloyd, of Liverpool. be appointed to the position of Health Visitor at a salary of £190 per annum, plus £5 for uniform.

The Wombwell Parks Bowling Club invited the Council to select a team to meet them in a game of bowls on Saturday. April 15th, to open the season. The Council decided to reply thanking the club for the incitation, but suggesting a later date for the game.

Mitchell Main Gas Supply.

A meeting of the Gas Committee had been held earlier in the evening, when a report was given by a deputation to the Mitchell Main Colliery.

A suggestion having been made that the matter be discussed privately, Mr. Copeland said ,”I move it be discussed in public tonight.” Mr. Newsome seconded the resolution, but only Messrs. Stubbs, Newsome, Mellor, and Copeland voted for it.

Increased Rate.

A rate of 18/2 in the £ for the year ending March 31st, 1934, was approved. This is as increase of 3d. on the previous year.

Brierley Hospital.

At a meeting of the Public Health Committee the Clerk submitted a letter from the Clerk to the Hemsworth Joint Hospital Committee inviting the attendance of the Chairman and Clerk at meetings of the Committee when enlargement of hospital buildings is under consideration.

Mr. F. Cooke asked if this would mean expense to the Council.

Mr. Mellor said it would he realised that as Wombwell were going to Hemsworth hospital, extensions might be necessary at some time. If such extensions were contemplated, naturally they would want Wombwell to take part in the discussions. He thought it was only right and proper they should be invited.