OPEN SPACES AND WORKS 92

Article Charge Per Week s. d. Sandbag ...... 3 Sputum Cup ...... 2 Steam Kettle ...... 3 Steam Kettle and Lamp ...... 6 "Thermometer ...... 3 Tripod Walking Stick ...... 6 Urinal ...... 3 Walking Aid (Bonaped) ...... 16 Special Beds Fowler Positional with special mattress ...... 20 Hospital ...... 1 0 Lifting Pole and Brackets ...... 3 Adult Cot (suitable for Mental Cases) ...... 16 Mattresses Hair ...... 1 0 Protective Rubber Cover ...... 10 Dunlopillo ...... 2 0 Protective Rubber Cover ...... 10 *To be loaned if it is safe and reasonable in the circumstances of the case to do so.

OPEN SPACES AND WORKS 17th December, 1964. COMMITTEE: Present: Councillor Stenhouse (in the Chair); Alderman Gange, J.P.; Coun­ cillors Adkins, Barson, J.P., Campbell, Cock, Cohen, Mrs. Edgeworth, Elle- ment, Hartley Hill, Mote, Nickolay, Sleigh, Smith, Statham, Tackley and Tidmarsh.

PART I.—RECOMMENDATIONS. RECOMMENDATION I: (a) Variations in Council's Establishment of Vehicles and Plant; and (b) Proposed Purchase of Special Bus and Addi­ tional Plant and Equipment. By resolution 1577 (19th December, 1958) the Council of the Borough of approved an establishment of their vehicles and plant, which they have since reviewed annually prior to consideration of the estimates. The vehicles of the present Borough Council pass to the Borough Council of Harrow, together with a number of vehicles to be transferred from County Council. Your Committee have considered a statement (submitted by the Borough Surveyor) of proposed additions to the fleet establishment at an estimated cost of £8,779 and, having considered the matter very carefully, recommend that the items detailed hereunder be included in the establishment of vehicles and plant. Should the Council approve these proposed additions, each item would be the subject of a further report to the Council at the appropriate time. The statement also detailed proposals for the purchase, at a total estimated cost of £440, of one vehicle winch and power take-off to be fitted to an existing 93 OPEN SPACES AND WORKS break-down unit (£330), and one "Alien" motor scythe (£110). These two items are not included in the additions to the fleet establishment mentioned hereunder, as the vehicle winch will become part of an existing vehicle already included in the establishment, and the motor scythe does not come within the description " vehicles and heavy plant," but these items will also be the subject of a further report to the Council at the appropriate time. Your Committee are satisfied as to the need for these additional vehicles, plant and equipment and, subject to the adoption by Ihe Council of the recom­ mendation hereunder, have authorised the Borough Surveyor to make pro­ vision, in your Committee's capital estimates for 1965/66, for the total sum of £9,219, being the estimated cost of the proposed additions to the Council's establishment of vehicles and plant, and the estimated cost of the plant and equipment not included in the Council's fleet establishment. With regard to the special bus, referred to in the proposed additions to fleet establishment detailed hereunder, your Committee have been informed that this vehicle will be required for use on 1st April, 1965. It is therefore recommended that, subject to the approval of the Welfare Committee and as a matter of urgency, approval be given to the purchase of this vehicle now. The method of meeting any expenditure which may be incurred before 1st April, 1965, is a matter for the Finance Committee. Proposed Additions to Fleet Establishment One special bus with tail lift to carry seven wheel chairs and seat nine passengers, required in connection with Welfare Services. One 13-seater bus, required in connection with Welfare Services. One Karrier " Gamecock " dual tip refuse vehicle, with bin lift. One " Clarke " heavy duty vacuum cleaner (footways). One " Kismet " high pressure steam jet cleaner (mobile). One " Tattersall " trailer for vibratory roller. One 5/7 cwt. " Ford " van for Open Spaces Parks Foreman. One " Benford "15 cwt. diesel dumper. Resolved to RECOMMEND: (1) That the Council hereby agree that the establishment of vehicles and plant be varied as follows: — Vehicle or Plant Number Variation Passenger Carrying Vehicles 2 Addition to establishment. Refuse Vehicles 7-ton capacity 1 Increase present establishment to 21. Miscellaneous Vacuum cleaner (footways) 1 Addition to establishment. High pressure steam jet cleaner 1 Addition to establishment. Trailer for vibratory roller 1 Addition to establishment. Dumper 1 Increase present establishment to 3. Vans and Cars 15 cwt or less 1 Increase present establishment to 25. (2) That, subject to the approval of the Welfare Committee, the Council hereby approve the purchase, at an estimated cost of £3,800, of one special bus with tail lift, for use in connection with Welfare Services; and that the Town Clerk and Borough Surveyor be authorised to take all necessary action accordingly, including preparing and sealing documents. OPEN SPACES AND WORKS 94 PART II.—MINUTES.

5. Minutes: RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 29th July, 1964, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

6. Orders of Reference and Delegation of Duties to Committees and Sub­ committees: The Town Clerk reported that the Council, on 16th July, 1964, adopted, provisionally, Orders of Reference and Delegation of Duties to Standing Committees of the Council and their Sub-Committees, and asked that these be considered by the respective Standing Committees, with a view to reporting to the General Purposes Committee with any suggestions for alterations or modifications. The Town Clerk submitted his report (30th November, 1964) to the Development Committee and the Open Spaces and Works Committee, on the subject of the Orders of Reference and Delegation of Duties to the two Committees, the appendix to which contained the provisionally adopted Order of Reference and Delegation of Duties to the two Committees and their Sub-Committees. He stated that this report had been considered by the Development Committee on 2nd December, 1964, and that the recommended alterations by that Committee of their provisional Order of Reference and Delegation of Duties, and the consequential adjustments to those of the Open Spaces and Works Committee were also shown in the appendix to his above-mentioned report. The Town Clerk also reported that the Develop­ ment Committee had resolved that the General Purposes and Open Spaces and Works Committees be recommended to approve the proposed changes in the provisional Orders of Reference of the Development Committee and the Open Spaces and Works Committee, as set out in the said appendix. Also that the proposed amended Orders of Reference sought to give effect to the fundamental principle that the Development Committee would per­ form broad planning duties (including road pattern and preparation of traffic schemes) and that all practical work associated with highways would be undertaken by the Open Spaces and Works Committee. The Committee gave very careful consideration to this matter, during the course of which they had the benefit of the observations of the Chairmen of the General Purposes Committee (Alderman Jordan) and of the Develop­ ment Committee (Councillor Rees) who were present at the meeting. The following decisions were arrived at: — (1) In the second paragraph of the General Reference of the Open Spaces and Works Committee, delete from the words in brackets " the Housing and Education Committees and Assembly Halls " and sub­ stitute " other Committees of the Council." In the same paragraph delete the words " except vehicles provided exclusively for Civil De­ fence." (2) In the third paragraph of the General Reference, after the word " Development" add " and Health." Also amend the word " Com­ mittee " to " Committees." (3) In paragraph (1) of the Terms of Reference of the Highways and Works Sub-Committee, delete the words " the Housing and Education Committees, Assembly Halls and vehicles provided exclusively for Civil Defence purposes." After the word " by " in the fourth line add " other Committees of the Council." 95 OPEN SPACES AND WORKS

(4) It was agreed that the powers and duties of the General Sub-Com­ mittee be enlarged to include certain of the matters detailed in the General Reference of the Committee under the heading "Open Spaces, Parks, Recreation Grounds and Commons," these additions to be drafted by the Town Clerk. RESOLVED: (1) That the General Purposes Committee be recommended to approve the proposed amendments, detailed above, in the provisional Order of Reference and Delegation of Duties of the Open Spaces and Works Committee and their Sub-Committees; and (2) that this Committee do not agree to a suggestion, now received from the Health Committee, that the duties of refuse collection and street cleansing should be included in the Order of Reference of the Open Spaces and Works Committee. (Note: In connection with item (I) of the decisions detailed above, Alder­ man Gange, J.P., and Councillor Mrs. Edgeworth voted against the proposal to exclude from the Committee's General Reference the matter of the pro­ vision and repair of buildings in the control of other Committees of the Council.) 7. London and Playing Fields Association: Annual Sub­ scription: RESOLVED: That the Committee hereby agree to make a sub­ scription of £7 7s. to this Association (to be known as the London and Middlesex Playing Fields Association as from 1st April, 1965) for the year 1965/66; and that the Town Clerk and Borough Treasurer be authorised to arrange accordingly.

8. Exclusive Use of Swimming Bath: RESOLVED: That the Committee hereby grant an application by the Wealdstone Swimming Club for the exclusive use of the Wealdstone Swimming Bath on Tuesday evenings during the 1965 season, commencing at 6.15 p.m., on the same terms as for 1964, namely, £70 for the season.

9. Borough of Harrow Show, 1965: RESOLVED: That the Committee hereby grant permission for the Borough of Harrow Show, 1965, to be held at the Open Air Theatre enclosure, Headstone Manor Recreation Ground, on 29th and 30th August, 1965; and that the Borough Surveyor be authorised to make all necessary arrangements accordingly.

10. Park: Proposed Lease of Land off Field End Road, East- cote: The Town Clerk reported that Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council had made application to purchase or lease from the Harrow Council a piece of land approximately 100 ft. by 90 ft., comprising part of Roxbourne Park fronting on to Field End Road, , on which to build an old persons non-residential club for the Ruislip-Northwood Aged Persons Wel­ fare Club. The land in question, formerly part of the Sewage Farm, although included in Roxbourne Park had never been laid out as a public open space and is, in fact, within the boundary of the Urban District. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Open Spaces Committee of the Borough Council had met representatives from Ruislip-Northwood on the site to discuss the proposal, and had reported favourably to that Committee. The Town Clerk also reported that the Open Spaces Committee, having further considered this matter, had, subject to the concurrence of the Council of the , agreed, in principle, to grant (subject to the District Valuer's report, planning permission and Ministerial consent) to OPEN SPACES AND WORKS [ 96 the Ruislip-Northwood Council a lease of the land in question, on the under­ standing that any Harrow old age pensioners resident in the neighbourhood would also be able to enjoy the facilities of the Club. RESOLVED: (1) That the Open Spaces Committee of the Borough Council be informed that this Committee raise no objection to the above-mentioned proposals; and (2) that the Borough Surveyor be asked to report to this Committee on the possibility of providing a streamside walk in the vicinity of the above-mentioned proposed Club. (Note: Alderman Gange, J.P., voted against the proposal to lease the above-mentioned land to the Ruislip-Northwood Council.)

11. Open Spaces: Capital Works Programme: RESOLVED: That the pro­ gramme of long term capital works in parks and open spaces, now submitted by the Borough Surveyor, be referred to the General Sub-Committee for con­ sideration and report; and that the Borough Surveyor be asked to submit to the Sub-Committee (a) a list of works outstanding as at 1st April, 1965, and (b) a scheme for the layout of Roxbourne Park.

12. Building Programme: RESOLVED: That the chart showing the Com­ mittee's major building programme in relation to other building projects of the Council, now submitted by the Borough Architect and Planner, be re­ ferred to the General Sub-Committee for consideration and report; and that the Sub-Committee be informed that, subject to their examining the details, the Committee recommend that the work connected with the proposed con­ version of the Tithe Barn in Headstone Manor Recreation Ground be placed in the hands of a firm of consultants.

13. Roxbourne Park: Suggested Fencing of Children's Playground: The Borough Surveyor reported that a local organisation had stated that they had received complaints concerning dogs alleged not to be under proper control fouling the footpaths and frightening small children who use this Park; that the organisation did not wish to imply that dogs should be kept on a lead, since they appreciated that the animals need free exercise; but had offered the suggestion that the children's playground should be fenced and no animals admitted. RESOLVED: That the Committee defer consideration of this matter for a further report by the Borough Surveyor upon all aspects of the matter.

14. The Institution of Municipal Engineers: 92nd Annual Conference: RE­ SOLVED: That the Committee (1) note the letter (3rd August, 1964) from the Institution of Municipal Engineers, giving advance notice that the 92nd Annual Conference of the Institution would be held in Glasgow from 8th to 11th June, 1965; and (2) suggest to the General Purposes Committee that they may wish to consider the complete list of annual conferences with a view to deciding which conference is appropriate to which Committee.

15. Flooding in the Borough: The Town Clerk reported that, on 9th July, 1964 (resolution 4361), the Highways and Cleansing Committee of the Borough Council had considered a report on the subject of the surcharging of soil and surface water sewers following heavy rainfall, resulting in flood­ ing of nearby properties. Also that that Committee had resolved, among other things, that this matter be brought to the attention of the London 97 OPEN SPACES AND WORKS Borough of Harrow, with a view to provision being made in the estimates of the appropriate Committee for 1965/66 for a possible increased rate of ex­ penditure on sewerage improvement schemes. RESOLVED: That the Committee receive the Town Clerk's report; and note that the Borough Surveyor will report further on this matter in con­ nection with consideration of the Committee's estimates for 1965/66. 16. Grass Verges: The Borough Surveyor reported that there are in Harrow over 100 miles of grass verges, totalling well over 100 acres; that he had reported to the Highways and Cleansing Committee of the Borough Council that it had not been possible to cut the verges as frequently as desired due to the continuing shortage of labour and the increasing maintenance respon­ sibilities; and that a limited experiment had been carried out in the use of a growth inhibitor applied to grass. This retarded the growth successfully and, although at first the colour of the grass deteriorated, it was soon restored. The inhibitor did not have the same effect on weeds, which continued to grow, and the conclusion had been reached that it would be necessary to spray a mixture of inhibitor with a selective weed killer. The Borough Sur­ veyor also reported that the application of a suitable mixture early in the growing season was estimated to cost £1,700, and he sought the Committee's authority to invite tenders. RESOLVED: That the Committee hereby agree to make provision in their estimates for 1965/66 for the above-mentioned estimated expenditure of £1,700; and that, in the meantime, the Borough Surveyor be authorised to invite tenders for the provision and application of a suitable mixture to retard the growth of grass verges in the Borough. 17. London Government Act, 1963: Naming and Numbering of Streets: The Borough Surveyor reported that, as section 43 of the London Government Act, 1963, provides that the shall be responsible for the naming and numbering of streets, a meeting had been convened by the Greater London Council of representatives of that Authority and of the Boroughs, which had been attended by the Borough Surveyor's representative, with the authority of the Chairman; and that a Working Party had been set up on which Harrow was represented. The Borough Surveyor also reported that, on 9th October, 1964, the Work­ ing Party had considered possible ways of dealing with street naming and numbering functions in the outer after 1st April, 1965, when the Boroughs' representatives had expressed the view that delegation of powers was to be preferred to the method of agency. The Working Party had agreed that, in the event of the principle of delegation being accepted by the Greater London Council, it should be on lines, details of which the Borough Surveyor submitted, which would ensure, among other things, that there would be no duplication of names in adjoining Boroughs, and that locally proposed names would be considered. The Borough Surveyor further reported that another meeting of representa­ tives of the outer London Boroughs and the Greater London Council had been held on 16th December, 1964, when certain minor amendments had been made to the previous report of the Working Party of 9th October, 1964; that the matter would be considered by the legal officers of the Greater Lon­ don Council; and that a further report would be submitted to this Com­ mittee at a later stage. RESOLVED: That the Committee receive and note the Borough Surveyor's OPEN SPACES AND WORKS 98

report in this matter; and approve and confirm the action taken by their Chairman. 18. Manual Employee: Extension of Service: The Town Clerk stated that it had been reported to the Highways and Cleansing Committee of the Borough Council on 10th December, 1964, that that Council, on 12th March, 1964, had agreed to extend the service of Mr. C. F. Knight, Handy­ man (Blacksmith) in the Borough Surveyor's Department, who was 65 years of age on 28th March, 1961, to the 29th March, 1965; and that the employee had applied for a further extension. Also that the employee had produced a medical certificate stating that he is physically fit to carry out his duties for a further period. The Town Clerk also reported that, upon the recommendation of the Highways and Cleansing Committee, the Establishment Committee had agreed to recommend the Borough Council to extend the service of Mr. Knight to 31st March, 1965, and had left to the Open Spaces and Works Committee of the new London Borough Council the question of any exten­ sion of service after that date. RESOLVED: That the Establishment Committee be asked to recommend the Council of the London Borough of Harrow to grant an extension of the above-mentioned employee's service to 29th March, 1966. 19. (a) Review of Vehicles and Plant; and (b) Replacement of Vehicles and Plant, 1965/66: (a) The Committee carried out a review (as detailed in a statement submitted by the Borough Treasurer) of vehicles and heavy plant owned by the Council of the Borough of Harrow as at 1st December, 1964, such review including details of the initial cost of each vehicle or plant, anti­ cipated life, age at 31st March, 1965, and the number of hours used and repair costs over the past five years. The Borough Treasurer and the Borough Surveyor having reported upon various points raised by Members in connection with the statement, the Committee had no matters to raise in connection with this review of vehicles and plant. (b) The Committee also considered a statement (submitted by the Borough Surveyor) showing replacements of vehicles and plant for the fin­ ancial year ending 31st March, 1966, the total proposed expenditure (after deletions by the Committee totalling £9,300, and an addition of £430) amounting to £33,692. Being satisfied that the proposed replacements are essential to maintain the various services of the Council, it was RESOLVED: That the Committee hereby (1) receive the Borough Treas­ urer's statement of vehicles and heavy plant owned by the Council of the Borough of Harrow as at 1st December, 1964; (2) agree to include in their capital estimates for the financial year 1965/66 the sum of £33,692 in respect of replacements of vehicle and plant, as detailed in the statement submitted by the Borough Surveyor; and that he be asked to make pro­ vision in estimates accordingly; and (3) ask the Borough Surveyor to report to the Committee on the question of cesspools still existing in the Borough. (The meeting terminated at 11.5 p.m.)

Chairman.