Corporation of Lancaster
Council Meeting Minutes
During the First World War Lancaster Corporation
had to discuss and agree many matters relating to the First World War
and it's impact on the Borough. These are extracts of relevant
information from the Corporation's Minute Books.
Extracts from Minutes July 1914 - October 1914
Electricity Committee - 14th July 1914
Engineer – Salary
The Committee considered the question as to the salary of the Engineer,
and it was
Resolved – That the salary of Mr George C Milnes be increased as from
the 1st proximo by £25, viz, from £250 to £275 per annum.
Sub-Committee - 7th July 1914
Band Performances
The Sub-committee considered as to arranging for afternoon Band
Performances in the Park during the months of August and September, and
it was
Resolved – That the Band of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment be
offered engagements on the following Wednesday afternoons, viz.: August
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, and September 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd, from 2.30
p.m. to 4.30 p.m., upon the same terms and conditions as in previous
years.
Special Meeting of the Council - 11th August 1914
This meeting was summoned:-
To take such steps as may be deemed necessary in connection with various
matters arising out of the War, and to read such communications as may
be submitted by the Mayor.
Employees on Active Service
Moved by Mr Alderman Preston, seconded by Mr Alderman Jackson, and
resolved-
1. That the Corporation undertake that all their employees at present on
active service shall be re-instated on their return.
2. That the respective Committees be authorised to make such temporary
arrangements as may be necessary for carrying on the work of such
employees during their absence.
Payment of Employees on Active Service
Moved by Alderman Preston, seconded by Mr Councillor Bell, and
resolved –
That the Council declares its intention to provide adequately for the
dependents of employees of the Corporation called away for service in
the War; and that the question as to what payments shall actually be
made to the employees be left with a Special Committee, with power to
deal therewith.
Old Town Hall – Voluntary Aid Detachment
The Chairman of the Properties Committee reported that he had granted
the use of the Council Chamber in the Old Town Hall to the Local Branch
of the Volunteer Aid Detachment for the purpose of holding lectures on
hospital work etc on Mondays and Thursday for a period of five weeks,
free of charge, in accordance with the terms of Minute Number 1367
(1911-12).
Emergency Committee - 17th August 1914
Employees on Active Service – Payments to
Referring to early minute, the Committee considered the question as to
what payments should be made to the dependents of employees away on
active service during the war.
Resolved – That all married employees of the Corporation who, as members
of the Territorial or other Reserve Forces of the Crown, may be affected
by the mobilisation or embodiment consequent on the present European
crisis, be paid during their absence from work such sums as with the pay
they receive from the Government will make up their full salary or
wages.
Further resolved – That consideration of the question of the payment of
unmarried employees be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee.
24th August 1914
Employees on Active Service – Payments to
The following scheme was adopted:-
a) That wives of all married employees who are on active service be paid
such sum as, with the allowances, they receive from the Government, will
make up the full amount of their husband’s salary or wages, less
deductions in accordance with the following scale:-
Men in receipt of under 30/- per week, deduction to be 4/-
Men in receipt of 30/- and under 40/- per week, deduction to be 5/-
Men in receipt of 40/- and over, per week deduction to be 8/-
b) That enquiries be made as to the cases of unmarried employees and
that any urgent cases be dealt with by the Chairman and Alderman
Preston.
c) That in the case of Mr T Wearing, of the Town Clerk’s Department, his
brother be engaged as substitute during his absence, at the same rate of
payment.
Waterworks – Protection of.
Correspondence from the Officer Commanding North Western District,
Chester, with regard to the protection of water works was submitted, and
the Engineer reported as to the steps taken in respect to same, which
were approved.
4th September 1914
Employees on Active Service
Arising out of an application by nine teachers for leave of absence in
order to join His Majesty’s Territorial Forces, the Committee again
considered the question as to the payments to Corporation employees or
officials, who may have been called up for active service, or enlist in
the future for such service, and it was
Resolved – That the Council be recommended to pay to any officer of
servant of the Corporation who is, or may become, a member of the
Regular Forces of the country, a sum equal to three-eighths of the
salary or wage he was in receipt of at the time of his enlistment.
War Department – Requisitions
The Borough Surveyor reported that he was from time to time being
requested by the Officer Commanding at the Bowerham Barracks, to carry
out certain work thereat, and that in one case tenders had had to be
obtained and the work let.
Resolved – That the actions of the Borough Surveyor be approved, and
that he be instructed to carry out any reasonable requests of the War
Department Authorities as far as possible.
Town Hall Committee - 3rd September 1914
Ashton Hall – Use of
The Committee considered an application from the West Lancashire
Territorial Association, asking for the free use of the Ashton Hall, on
Saturday 5th, for the purpose of holding a public meeting in connection
with recruiting.
Resolved – that the application be granted.
Further resolved – That the Mayor be empowered to grant any similar
applications by the War Department.
Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 21st September 1914
Giant Axe Field – Use by Army Remount Department
The Chairman reported that the he had granted permission for use of
certain portions of the Giant Axe Field by the War Department, for the
purpose of exercising army remounts.
Resolved – That the action of the Chairman be approved and adopted.
Primrose Playground – Letter from War Department
Read letter from the War Department, with respect to the use of part of
the land, leased by them to the Corporation for a children’s playground,
as a hen run, and enquiring whether this was with the sanction of the
Committee and the Town Clerk was instructed thereon.
Use of Baths by Troops
The Chairman reported that, on receipt of an application from the War
Department, he had made arrangements for the recruits at the Bowerham
Barracks, to visit the Baths, free of charge, for the purpose of bathing
and washing.
Resolved – That the action of the Chairman be approved and adopted.
Slaughterhouse and Auction Mart Sub-Committee - 16th September
1914
Auction Mart – Army Remounts
It was reported that the Army Remount Department had been allowed to
occupy a certain number of pens, for the purpose of stabling horses, and
that certain alteration had been required thereto in the way of
partitions etc.
Resolved – That the action be approved, and that an account in respect
of the loan of such pens etc, be forwarded to the War Department.
Watch Committee - 16th October 1914
Phoenix Street
The Chief Constable reported that at the request of the Military
Authorities, he had arranged for the above named street to be closed to
the public between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 midnight.
Resolved – That the action of the Chief Constable be approved, and that
he be requested, if possible, to arrange with the Military Authorities
to allow pedestrians to pass through the street during such hours as the
same is not being used by them.
Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 19th October 1914
Giant Axe Field – Application
The Committee considered an application from Captain Seward asking for
the use of Giant Axe Field, on behalf of the 5th Reserve Battalion,
King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, for drill purposes, and occasional
use of the football pitch.
Resolved – That such application be granted.
Properties Management Sub-Committee - 14th October 1914
Land – Dallas Road
The Sub-Committee considered an application from the Director of the
Army Remount Department, Lancaster, asking for the use, rent free, of
the land belonging to the Corporation in Dallas Road, adjoining Usher’s
Meadow, for the purpose of erecting temporary stables for army horses
for the period of the war.
Resolved – That the application be granted.
Storey Institute Committee - 21st October 1914
Lancaster War Record
Resolved – That the Librarian be instructed to prepare a Record Book
showing all Lancastrians, or sons of Lancastrians, who are on service in
the naval or military forces of the country during the present war.
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