South Yorkshire Times, July 21st, 1951
Mexboro’ Fireworks
“Slip-shod” Allegation Leads to Council Scenes
Heated exchanges occurred at Mexborough Urban Council Meeting on Wednesday when Coun. A. C. Rowson, only non-Socialist member, protested against the deletion of the Housing Committee minute recommending that in future meetings of the Committee be convened at 3 p.m. Coun. S. Stubbs presiding in the absence of Coun. G. M. Hanson, had difficulty in making himself heard when members were challenging Coun. Rowson’s allegation that Housing Committee business was being carried on in a “slip-shod” manner.
Coun. Rowson made his protest when the Housing Committee Chairman Coun. K. Lee moved the minutes of this committee with the exception of minute 340, which recommended that in future meetings of the Housing Committee be convened at 3 p.m. He asked that this minute be deleted.
Coun. Rowson immediately asked what new factors had entered into the matter since the decision to make recommendations had been carried by nine votes to three at the Housing Committee meeting the previous Wednesday. He had moved this resolution, he said, as a practical remedy for the “slip-shod” way in which they were getting through Housing Committee meetings. Meetings were lasting from two to three hours, and work was being thrown on to Council officials who received the minutes later in the evening.
After Coun. Stubbs had asked how many members could attend a meeting at 3 p.m. Coun. Willetts attempted to speak but was forestalled by Coun. G. S. Morley, who said they had had a meeting and decided to delete the minute.
“Who has had a meeting?” asked Coun. Rowson, “Who runs this town? Doesn’t this Council run it.”
There were further brisk exchanges, with Coun. Stubbs attempting to make himself heard and Coun. Rowson again being heard to ask what new factor had emerged since the decision taken in Committee.
Coun. Willetts: Coun Rowson has made a statement that the business of the Housing Committee has been done in a slip-shod manner. I resent that, and the very fact that two and a half and three hours is being used on housing business is rather against the assertion that it is being done in a slip-shod manner.
He said the financial aspect of the matter was important, and it should be realised that the proposed alteration would involve the Council in great financial commitments which they were anxious to avoid.
“I would have thought Coun. Rowson would have been anxious to avoid that, too” he said and added “Either we are prepared to give up our leisure time in the interests of the community or we are simply seeking an outlet for getting time off work and seeking means to reimburse through various avenues. I resent the implication that there has been some “jiggery-pokery” about this.”
People are entitled to change their minds” he said and even Members of Parliament sometimes changed their minds. He seconded Coun. Lee’s motion that the minute be deleted.
Coun. Rowson: I will reply ……
Coun. Lee: On a point of order, Coun. Rowson has already spoken
Coun. Rowson: I have a right to reply
Coun. Lee: I have moved this minute, and I am the last speaker.
Coun Rowson: Is Coun. Willetts to say what he wants without reply?
Coun. Stubbs ruled Coun. Rowson out of order, the latter commenting “All right, the steam-roller is at work” then Coun. Lee pointed out that to change the time of the meeting as proposed would cost the Council £18 every time the meeting was held. The maximum allowed a councillor for lost time allowance was £1 a day and a good many councillors would not be able to attend a meeting at 3 p.m. without having time off work. The £1 granted in these circumstances would mean a considerable cost over twelve months, and the ratepayers would have to find it.
Coun. Rowson, who recorded his vote against the decision to delete the minute, said he had never had a half-penny allowance for time off work since he had been a member of the council “That is more than any other member can say.”
Coun. G. Harrison: I take exception to that remark.