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| Folios 112-120. Letter from Alfred Power, Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, to the Poor Law Commission, reporting his investigations into the Hundreds of Dunmow, Uttlesford, Clavering and Harlow. He recommends that the parishes close to Bishops Stortford become part of the union. He sees no objection under the Act to the uniting of some Essex parishes with some of those in Hertfordshire. He suggests 10 from each county. He encloses a table showing: Population in 1831, number of acres, average expense of poor, number of males out of work, number of persons on the permanent list, total number of poor relieved at one time, inmates of the workhouse, number that the workhouse will hold, distances from Bishops Stortford, Stansted Mountfitchet and Albury. Power recommends that there shall be 10 Essex parishes including Little Hallingbury, Great Hallingbury, Beardon, Ugley, Stansted Mountfitchet, Henham, Elsenham and Birchanger, with 10 Hertfordshire parishes Bishops Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Thorley, Albury, Much Hadham, Little Hadham, Braughing, Furneaux Pelham, Brent Pelham and Stocking Pelham, in the union. In terms of distance, Bishops Stortford workhouse is considered the best option available for the Essex parishes, whose inhabitants frequently visit the town. The guardians agreed to the addition of 10 further parishes. Power further recommends that the union of the parishes as shown above take place after 25 March [1836]. The number of guardians for the parishes shall be Bishops Stortford three, Sawbridgeworth, Much Hadham, Braughing and Stansted Mountfitchet two each, all others having only one. The Election of guardians shall take place on Friday 27 March [1836], with the first meeting of the guardians on Monday 30 March [1836] at 11am at the George Inn. One person shall be chosen as clerk and treasurer, and three as assistant overseers. The salary of the clerk would be £60 per annum, and that of the assistant overseers £80. The system of outdoor relief to be applied. An assistant Commissioner would attend the first meeting to assist in discussions of the following propositions: 1. Each of the three divisions of parishes to be supervised by an overseer, who shall reside in the district. 2. A surveyor to be appointed to assist the assistant Commissioner who shall inspect the workhouses and make such alterations as required. 3. Up to three hand mills to be purchased for each workhouse, for the grinding of wheat into flour by the able-bodied under the supervision of the overseer. 4. Each parish shall be paid an assessed rent for the use of their workhouse. 5. A master to be appointed for each workhouse at a salary of £100 per annum from the common fund. 6. Consent of the guardians to be given for an Order of Commission to purchase land and build a workhouse for 350 persons. Following a majority vote, consenters to sign a deed of agreement. 7. The guardians to seek tenders for the building of the workhouse, and also for the supply of provisions to the assistant overseers for the existing workhouses. 8. The Commissioners to include in their first report to Government, under section 26 of the Poor Law Act that any united parish may dispose of their workhouse premises for their sole benefit but only with the consent of the Commissioners. Poor Law Union Number 167. Counties: Hertfordshire and Essex. |
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