9th April 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

A meeting of the Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding.

SURVEYOR'S REPORT

The Surveyoer presented his report as follows:

ISOLATION HOSPITAL

No cases of infectious disease have been notified during the month, and the hospital remains close.

WATERWORKS

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week 241,000 gallons.

2nd week 237,000 gallons.

3rd week 247,000 gallons.

4th week 249,000 gallons.

The water level remains stationary at 43 feet, being one foot higher than at April last.

A further supply of paraffin is required.

PETROLEUM LICENCES

Charles Borlace, of Cumberlow Green, and Walter North of Buntingford, make application for licences to store petrol The storage is quite satisfactory and the licences are recommended to be granted.

HOUSING

Mr A.E. Woodford Ward, of H.M. Office of Works, came down on Tuesday last and visited various building sites. He inspected the whole of the works to which the accounts relate, and was supplied with full details and receipts for all the works as executed.

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The licences were granted.

The Clerk stated that it was proposed to amalgamate the Buntingford Rural District Council to Royston Urban Council and the Ashwell Rural District Council for the purpose of rating assessments. There would be a committee of 15.

TENDERS

Tenders were received for scavenging, team labour and material, the following being accepted:

Scavenging - Mr C.H. Poulton, 11/- per day.

Team Labour - Mr E.J. Crane, 9/6 per day.

Supply of Road Material - Mr Brazier, 11/- per yard and Mr C.H. Poulton, 10/6 per yard.

ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY

A letter was read from the North Metropolitan Electric Supply Company asking for permission to place a post on the Council's property at the waterworks. This was granted.

ROADS

The Clerk stated that the County Council were considering the question of taking over the roads which at present came under the local Council. Captain Morris said it would be a good thing if the County Council took them all over, and the Surveyor was instructed to submit plans of the roads in question.

COUNTY COUNCIL SUPERANNUATION SCHEME

The Clerk read a communication from the County Council with reference to the proposed superannuation scheme.

The Chairman said it only affected 3 of the Council's officials and he thought it would be best to get their views on the matter.

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The Chairman of the Council (Mr Claud Fraser) who was absent on account of illness, was elected to serve on the Council of the County Playing Fields Association.

9th April 1926 - Help the Hospitals

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Help the Hospitals

The Whist Drive and Dance on behalf of the Hertford and Royston Hospitals next Wednesday in the Benson Hall promises to be one of the largest ever held in Buntingford. A record attendance is expected, and doubtless many will assist the cause by buying tickets even if unable to be present.

The price of tickets is 2/- if purchased on or before Monday, or 2/6 after Monday. They may be obtained from the various club representatives, including Messrs. W.T. Budd, H.B. Cutts, E.E. Dennis, S. Howlett, J. Lawrence, C.H. Poulton and W. Smith.

At the whist drive Dr Fell will distribute the many valuable prizes, which are now on view in Mr Lawrence's establishment. They include a "lucky ticket" prize.

Dancing will last two hours, and the Town Band are kindly giving their services for the dance music. Mr L. Smith will act as M.C. for the dancing, and Mr E.E. Dennis for the whist.

2nd April 1926 - Aspenden Parish Council

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Aspenden Parish Council

A meeting of the Aspenden Parish Council was held at the Parish Room, Apsenden, on tuesday evening. Present - Mr H.C. Marshall (in the chair), Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. C.H. Poulton, F. Camp, A. Wilson, and P. Hamilton.

A precept was issued for street lighting. A discussion arose as to the allotment rents, and it was resolved that new allotment holders should pay their rent in advance.

10th Feb 1928 - Joint Parish Council's Meeting

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Joint Parish Council's Meeting

STREET LIGHTING

A joint meeting of the Aspenden and Layston Parish Councils was held at the Board Room, Buntingford, on Wednesday evening, when there were present: Mr H.C. Marshall (in the chair), Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. H.G. Stearn, C.H. Poulton, F. Camp, A.W. Wilson, G. Scarborough Taylor, P. Hamilton, J. Lawrence, H. Clarke, F. Crouch, and the Clerk (Mr J. Boniwell).

The chief business was the discussion of the question of street lighting in Buntingford and to receive a tender from the North Metropolitan Electric Supply Company for lighting the streets by electricity.

The tender submitted by the Company amounted to £131 17s. for twenty-three lights - viz., ten suspended lights, eleven mast lights and two bracket lights. The scheme included the lighting of Newtown.

The Chairman said the present system of gas lighting was costing £100 per year.

The meeting discussed the matter fully, and then decided to ask Mr Dixon-Browne, engineer-in-charge for the Buntingford district of the North Metropolitan Electric Company, to give the meeting further details in connection with the tender submitted.

Mr Scarborough Taylor asked if it would be practicable to reduce the number of suspended lights by increasing the power of the lamps.

Mr Dixon-Browne, replying, said the ten suspension lamps of 100 watts could be reduced to six suspended lamps of 300 watts. This would be cheaper than the scheme submitted.

Asked if the Company would reduce the term of years specified in their tender, from ten years to seven years, Mr Dixon-Browne said he was prepared to make the tender for seven years. He was afraid he could not hold out any hope of a lower tender than for the amount submitted, less the allowance in respect of the reduction in the number of suspended lights, as the price quoted was only just at working cost. The Company was bearing the entire cost of installing the necessary fittings and lamps, and in addition would have to bear all replacements.

Mr Wilson asked whether the lighting of Hare Street Road was included in the tender. Sunny Hill was as important as Newtown, and a lamp was badly needed.

The Chairman said he was afraid that Sunny Hill was not included, as it was not in the lighting area.

Capt. Williams then moved that the tender of the North Metropolitan Electric Supply Co. be accepted, on the understanding that the number of suspended lights be reduced to six, the tender to be for seven years, and that the lights be extinguished at 10.30 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. as mentioned in the tender.

In consequence of the amendments, the tender was reduced to £122 11s.

Mr Scarborough Taylor seconded the proposition, which was carried.

Mr Poulton asked why the parish of Wyddiall was not represented at the meeting. Wyddiall at present had one lamp in the High Street, and if the parishioners chose to keep out of the present scheme they could do so.

Mr Wilson asked what the position would be if the parishioners of Wyddiall refused to come into the scheme they had just adopted. They would be getting their light at the expense of Aspenden and Layston.

The Chairman said he thought the matter would be met if a small sub-committee be appointed to go into the matter with the North Met. with regard to the fixing of the lighting points. He would suggest that one or two of the Wyddiall parishioners who resided in Buntingford be asked to serve on the committee.

This was agreed, the following being appointed: Aspenden, Capt. H.H. Williams and Mr A. Wilson; Layston, Mr G. Scarborough-Taylor and Mr J. Lawrence; Wyddiall, Mr Claud Fraser and Mr Ernest G. Thody.

Mr Clarke raised the question of the apportionment of the cost. He thought Aspenden and Layston should divide their share equally.

It was finally agreed to leave this matter to the sub-committee to report on.

The Chairman thanked Mr Dixon-Browne for attending and for his explanations, and in reply Mr Dixon-Browne said that when they matter was settled and points fixed his Company would start with the work straight away.