Parish Council History

The First Election of Measham Parish Councillors

December 4th 1894
Parish of Measham

A meeting of the Parochial Electors of this Parish was held this 4th day of December 1894 at 6.30 ‘o’ clock in the evening at the Temperance Hall pursuant to notice.

Proposed by Mr John Ratcliff and seconded by Mr John Wade that Captain Robinson do take the Chair, this was put to the meeting by Mr Alfred Lewin (one of the Overseers) and carried unanimously.

The Chairman took the chair at 6.36p.m and explained to the meeting the business to be done being the election of Parish Councillors and asked that nomination papers be handed to him.

After the prescribed time allowed had expired the Chairman stated to the meeting the names of the candidates with the names of their proposers and seconders in alphabetical order of their surnames.

Which was as follows:

Name of candidate
Hart William Cooper
Hewetson Joseph
Jordan Arthur
Latham John
Latham Joseph
Robinson Liggins
Lilley John
Lord Walter
Parritt Thomas
Pickering Thomas
Proudman Thomas
Ratcliff John
Rice John Arthur
Sharpe Lewis
Smith George
Starbuck John
Thompson CJ
Watts Henry

The Chairman then gave opportunity for putting questions to each of the candidates duly nominated.

The Chairman then put to the meeting separately the names of the several candidates in the alphabetical order of their surnames and a vote was taken by show of hands in favour only of each candidate with the following result

Hart William Cooper 60
Hewetson Joseph 42
Jordan Arthur 39
Latham John 22
Latham Joseph 51
Liggins Luke 29
Lilley John 52
Lord Walter 56
Parritt Thomas 13
Pickering Thomas 15
Proudman Thomas 43
Ratcliff John 69
Rice John 84
Sharpe Lewis 14
Smith George 65
Starbuck John 43
Thompson CJ 37
Watts Henry 37

A poll was demanded by Mr Thomas Proudman,

A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed and carried unanimously.

H Pennington Robinson
Chairman.

A transcribe of the Minutes from the first Parish Council Meeting
Dec 31st 1894

The first meeting of the Measham Parish Council was held in the National Schoolroom at 7pm on Monday December 31st 1894. There were present Messer’s Hart, Rice, Lord, Jordan, Strarbuck and Lilley. The members present signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
On the motion of Messer’s Jordan and Hart Mr Rice was elected provisional Chairman. The following resolutions were then passed.

1. That Mr John Ratcliff be the Chairman of the Council, moved by Messer’s Lord, Starbuck.

2. That Mr Lord be the Vice Chairman of the council. Moved by Messer’s Jordan and Hart.

In the absence of the Chairman the Vice Chairman then took the Chair.

Another motion of Messer’s Lilley and Rice, it was resolved to permit Mr Ratcliff to sign the declaration at the next meeting of the Council.

The appointment of Clerk to the Council was next discussed. On application for the post from Mr Thomas Proudman was submitted but eventually it was agreed on the motion of Messer’s Rice and Hart that Mr Phillip Ball be appointed until March 25th 1895. It was further resolved on the motion of Messer’s Rice and Jordan that the sum of 25/- be Mr Ball’s re-numeration for the term agreed upon.

An application for the post of treasurer made by Mr George Bullen of the Leicestershire Banking Company. Ashby De La Zouch was then read. On the motion of Messer’s Jordan and Hart, Mr Bullen was appointed to the office.

A precept on the Overseers of the Poor for £20 for election and other expenses was then authorised on the motion of Messer’s Rice and Lilley

The following Standing Orders were agreed to.

1. That the Council meet monthly on the first Monday in the month at seven O clock in the evening and that the place of meeting be the Burial Board Room at the Cemetery. Moved by Messer’s Rice and Lilley.

2. That the practical rules and instructions as printed at the beginning of the minute book with the exception of number 4 be adopted for the conduct of the meeting of the council. Moved by Messer’s Jordan and Hart.

3. That any motion may be made at any meeting of the council of which notice has been given at the previous meeting of the council or at least 5 clear days before the meeting, such latter notice must be given in writing to the Clerk or Chairman. Moved by Messer’s Lilley and Rice.

All the above resolutions were carried unanimously. All the members present voting in favour of each of them.

Mr Rice gave notice of a motion to be submitted at the next meeting on the question of the water supply.

Signed JM Ratcliff (Chairman)