Archived Extracts

  A resolution that demolition orders be issued in respect of three houses failing the owner's compliance with statutory notices served upon him came in for a good deal of discussion at the monthly meeting of the Huthwaite Urban District Council held on Tuesday evening, when Councillor J. Davies presided.
  Mr. Hancock raised the question in referring to a Health and Hospital Committee minute in which it was resolved that failing compliance with the statutory notices served upon Mr. W. Hall's executors respecting Nos. 37, 39 and 41, Blackwell Road, demolition orders be issued in respect of all three houses. Mr. Hancock said the reason he did not vote on the matter was because three houses were included instead of two. He stood for two, but he had had no notification of a third.

  The resolution recorded the voting as follows:- For the resolution, Councillors Allcock, Bonser, Clarke, Davies, Iball, Peters and Potter; against, Councillors Betts, Goodall, Lowe and Wilson. Councillors Hancock, Simpson, Sowter and Wright did not vote. ... after lengthy arguments

  Mr. Simpson said he was satisfied everything had been done in absolute good faith and that the property was evidently a bad lot. There were no drains, no through draughts, and in every way it contradicted the standard of a decent living house.
  "I am not one who is going to let landlords draw rent from people without putting their property in proper repair," remarked the speaker. "Every landlord ought to be made to make his tenants comfortable if he has money to do it. I did not vote on the matter because I did not know the full facts of the case, but I am now driven to voting definitely for the demolition of the property."
  "No people can be comfortable in these little cottages if the landlords will not do the necessary repairs, and the only alternative is for the Council to say the houses must come down. We are living in the year 1933 when people can be, and ought to be, housed in proper housing schemes."
  Mr. Betts: I am sorry to hear that from Mr. Simpson, but every man has a right to his own conviction. The speaker was surprised that the houses had been condemned because the Government was now crying out for smaller houses, and if the landlord had been approached and dealt with in a nice way the repairs would have been done. Mr. Betts blamed the Sanitary Inspector and the Medical Officer for not dealing with the matter properly, and said the Council ought to be carful before taking property from people who had struggled to obtain it.
  The Chairman said a lot of reflection had been cast upon the Medical Officer, who was entirely disinterested as far as property in Huthwaite was concerned. He was a county Medical Officer and a man of high reputation and it was unwarranted that his name should be dragged into that matter. he had dealt with the property under an Act of Parliament and as it ought to be dealt with.

  "With reference to the Sanitary Inspector, " added the Chairman, "I congratulate him on taking the stand he had done with regard to unfit houses. As long as we have small hovels we shall always find people to go into them, and I am pleased we, as a Council, are seeking to find fresh accommodation. I don't think the Council should hesitate on bit to say that demolition should take place in this case."
  Mr. Sowter said the argument advanced by Mr. Betts was grossly unfair, because the Sanitary Inspector and Medical Officer submitted their report of the condition of the three houses to the Council and the Council decided to send the statutory notices, in which the owner was given the right to come before the Council and submit what he was prepared to do with regard to making the houses in a habitable condition. But the owner had ignored the notices altogether, and the speaker could not see why the Medical Officer or the Sanitary Inspector should be blamed.
  Mr. Clarke supported the opinion of Mr. Simpson and thought the Council were quite right in what they were doing.
  On a vote being taken the minutes were confirmed in their entirety.

Appended are extracts from the Committees' minutes presented to the Huthwaite Urban District Council at the monthly meeting on Tuesday evening.
  Gas Lighting and Water Committee.- The Manager reported upon the testing of certain meters during the month, and the matter was deferred for a report of further tests at the next meeting. The question of electricity supply was discussed and adjourned for further consideration in the summer months.
  Roads and Buildings Committee.- The Surveyor reported upon his interviews with officials of the Ministry of Health in connection with the tenders of the Chesterfield Road housing scheme, and with Mr. J. Searson as to the reductions required by the Minister in his specifications of quantities to which the latter had agreed. It was resolved that Mr. Searson's amended tender of £11,728 10s. (average price per house, £293 4s. 3d.), be accepted subject to the usual conditions and the Ministry's approval.

  The Surveyor submitted a plan and estimate for the rounding off of a Market corner for use as an omnibus stand at a cost of approximately £18 10s., and it was resolved this be approved and the work carried out.
  It was reported that conductors ceased to issue workmen's tickets on the omnibus due to depart from Huthwaite at 8.25 a.m., and it was resolved that the Mansfield Traction Company be asked to remedy this matter and that such tickets be also made available through to Mansfield.
  Cemetery, Pleasure Grounds and Allotments Committee.- The Surveyor reported upon his recent interview with officials of the Ministry of Health at Whitehall, when he had explained the extent and cost of the Huthwaite Park scheme already carried out and the nature of the work remaining to.
  In Notts. the standstill area embraces and detailed estimates for the construction of fencing, entrance, gates and pathways, and the provision of trees, etc., at an estimated cost of £300, which had been approved by them with an intimation that on completion the Ministry would issue their decision as to the application of the monies received by way of grants from the National Playing Fields Association and the Carnegie Trustees. The report was approved and it was resolved that application be made to the Ministry for sanction to the borrowing of the necessary loan.
  Health and Hospital Committee.- The Medical Officer of Health reported that four deaths had been notified during the month. Five births - three males and two females - were registered during the month.

  In connection with the question of pail closet conversion, correspondence with the New Hucknall Colliery Company was read, and the Clerk was directed to reply as to the proposed procedure and pursue enquiries with other principal owners, the health officials to interview the Colliery Company's officials if found desirable.
  Finance and General Purposes Committee.- A letter was read from the Huthwaite Unemployed Workmen's Organisation respecting the use of the bowling green during the coming season by the totally unemployed men residing in the district and suggesting that users of the green must be season members, the Organisation being responsible to the Council for the collection of subscriptions.
  It was resolved that such proposals be accepted and that the Secretary (Mr. Timothy Bradley) supervise arrangements and be responsible for the collection of monies, the membership of any persons to terminate on their obtaining work. A charge of 2d. per game wa suggested for all unemployed players who were not season members.
  The Clerk read a copy of his letter to Mr. L.R. Moss, of Mansfield, who attended the meeting and further explained his broadcast relay scheme, and it was resolved that the matter be deferred for one month for individual enquiry by members of the Council and for the Clerk to obtain information as to the operation of the scheme in Mansfield and Nottingham.
  Reports were received respecting the nuisance from football playing in the streets by youths, and it was resolved that the local Inspector of Police be asked to warn offenders and afterwards take proceedings if necessary.