Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 13th, 1932
Wombwell U.D.C.
A Short Meeting
Gas Profits
The Wombwell Urban District Council on Tuesday disposed of its business in a little over thirty minutes. The Chairman (Mr. R. Preston) presided.
At the outset a resolution of sympathy was passed with Coun. J. W. Mellor on the death of his brother, Mr. Alfred Mellor.
The Council having decided at a previous meeting to send Messrs. Copeland and Newsome to the Urban District Councils’ Association Conference at Skegness in June, Mr. F. Cooke pointed out that his name had been incorrectly recorded as seconder of the resolution.
IN CAMERA
The Clerk (Mr. P. M. Walker) made reference to a special meeting on the 9th May, when the Council discussed various matters, including negotiations between the Dearne District Light Railway Committee and the Yorkshire Traction Company,
Mr Hall: I take it you do not wish these minutes to be discussed.
The Chairman: Thank you.
ELLIOTT’S TERRACE
The Public Health Committee had had under consideration reports of the medical officer and sanitary inspector regarding the condition of Elliott’s Terrace. On the recommendation of the committee the Clerk was instructed to request the owners to attend before the committee for the purpose of steps being taken to remedy the alleged nuisance.
Mr. H. Moody said he was delighted to know there was a possibility of something being done for the people of Elliott’s Terrace. He hoped the meeting would result in a better road.
OUT OF ORDER
Mr. J. Pearce asked the Surveyor what control the Council had over the letting of stalls to butchers.
The question was ruled out as having no reference to the minutes.
WHOLESALE FIRMS BEATEN
On the recommendation of the Gas Committee the manager (Mr. E. J. Wellens) was instructed to buy the necessary tubes and fittings for the department for the next three months from Mr. Thomas Mackridge at the price submitted.
Mr. J. Hall said he thought the Committee ought to consider the advisability of buying in bulk from wholesale firms. He asked whether the decision to buy locally was a new departure.
The chairman: We buy as required, and get prices submitted from firms with whom the manager has dealt in the past
Mr Hall: Are we to take it from your answer that we are purchasing these goods at wholesale price. If so, Mr. Mackridge will not be getting any profit out of it?
The Clerk: Tenders were obtained from local firms as well as from wholesale firms, and Mr. Mackridge’s tender was the lowest.
Mr. F. Collindridge, chairman of the Gas Committee, said that on this occasion they were buying for a shorter period than usual for three months instead of twelve months.
WHAT TO DO WITH GAS PROFITS
In reply to Mr. W. Stubbs, the Clerk said that street lighting was charged to highways. Mr. Stubbs argued that where practicable charges should be made so that the gas prices could be reduced. “To my mind,” he said, “the whole thing wants a thorough investigation. I believe the consumer is already paying too much for gas.”
Mr. Hall said that s question involving the advisability of putting a liability on to the rates or on to the gas department needed more than casual discussion. He suggested the matter be brought up at the next meeting of the finance Committee, so that the new members could be acquainted of the whole circumstances. People using electricity were not in any way contributing to the gas undertaking
The Clerk suggested that the matter was one for discussion in committee.
Mr. Pascoe: The impression should not be created that the gas works are a charge on the rates. That has only happened in one year – 1926. The undertaking has always held its own apart from that.
Mr. Hall said they had discussed for many years the question as to whether any surplus in the gas department should go to reducing the price of gas or relieving the rates. If he had his way it would always be used for reducing the price of gas; otherwise, electricity consumers would get the benefit.
The Clerk said the Gas Act and regulations clearly stated how any surplus should be applied
GOING IN CHASE
At a meeting of the Finance and General Purpose Committee a report of the district auditor upon the accounts of the council for the year ended 31st March 1931, was submitted for the observations of the accountant. The committee recommended that the suggestion of the auditor as to engaging an outside agent for the collection of outstanding arrears of rent be adopted.
In reply to Mr. Hall, the Chairman said the auditor referred particularly to people who were in arrears and had left the district. The auditor suggested that an attempt should be made to get in the arrears by the employment of agents in the districts to which they had gone.
At the suggestion of Mr. Hall the wording of the minute was amended accordingly.
LIBRARY
At a meeting of the Library Committee the Surveyor submitted an estimate of the cost of providing collapsible gates to partition off the lending library, and was instructed to make arrangements for the provision of this equipment.
BOUNDARIES
The Council then went into committee to discuss the question of the review of county districts and isolation hospital accommodation.