Although the election we are approaching is General rather than Council, the leaflet which has just been donated to the Rushden Museum seems quite appropriate. The document was produced by members of the Rushden Liberal Association for the Council Elections in April 1913. The candidates standing for election were C. H. Blunsom, John Clark, J. S. Clipson, H. H. Hobbs, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, L. Perkins and T. Swindall.
They stressed the importance of a policy which would not increase the rates, now called council tax, but also the importance of public works. They did not, therefore, believe there could be any probability of a reduction in the rates in the near future.
On the question of housing, which had become very important in Rushden, they were waiting for the Report from the Local Government Board following an Inquiry recently held. They supported a cautious approach and thought the demand could be met by private enterprise. If they had to adopt the Housing, Town Planning etc., Act they thought it could be self-supporting and would not mean an extra charge on the rates.
With families coming into Rushden to work in the boot and shoe factories, housing was a problem. Most of the councillors thought the demand could be met by private enterprise but some did not and wanted the Council to build houses. Eventually the Local Government Board held an inquiry into the situation and in April 1913 Rushden Urban District Council were ordered to build 30 houses. 15 of these houses were to be built to let at 5/6 per week, and the remaining 15 at 4/- a week. It was also suggested that provision of a bath in the higher priced houses would be desirable. The first houses were built in Kings Road, and in February 1915 tenants were selected for the first 12 houses.
Kings Road
Kings Road
The candidates also supported the provision of a Technical Institute for Instruction in Boot and Shoe manufacture, suggesting there should be one in Rushden and one in Kettering. The Boot and Shoe School eventually opened in Rectory Road, Rushden in 1928.
The Boot and Shoe School in Rectory Road
Regarding education they were satisfied with the standard being maintained in the Public Elementary schools, but held that all Public Schools supported by the Public Purse should be placed entirely under Public Control.
They pointed out that the work imposed upon Urban Councils was increasing, and that committees formed to carry out the administration of the work ‘should be made as widely representative as possible of all sections and interests of the town.’
The candidates elected to the Council were J. S. Clipson, F. Knight, L. Perkins and T. Swindall.
In our present election the subjects most talked about seem to be taxes, housing, education and the pressure on local councils. Not a lot has changed in just over 100 years.