Series Y/COU/5/2/4 - Strays Committee minutes, Parks and Smallholdings Committee minutes

Identity area

Reference code

Y/COU/5/2/4

Title

Strays Committee minutes, Parks and Smallholdings Committee minutes

Date(s)

  • 1907-1961 (Creation)

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

8 volunes

Context area

Name of creator

(1907-1913)

Administrative history

Rights to York's common lands or strays were limited to freemen, and survived the 1835 Municipal Corporations Act. In the early twentieth century, the corporation sought to gain control over the lands to ensure that the land was used for the benefit of the community more widely. Micklegate Stray was the first to be acquired, by a payment of £1000 a year to the freemen in relinquishment of their rights. The York (Micklegate Strays) Bill went to Parliament and was passed in 1907, and a charitable trust was setup to receive and distribute the funds to needy freemen. Other strays developed similar arrangements over the twentieth century, but not without controversy and opposition. The first municipal allotments were provided in 1905, and from 1908 the council had a mandatory duty to provide allotments to residents.
Gained functions from Freemen (Reformed) from 1907 onwards. Replaced by the Parks and Smallholdings &c Committee (1913-1974)

Name of creator

(1913-1961)

Administrative history

The corporation took over ownership and management of common lands in the twenteith century and developed them for the use of residents. Recreation facilities and allotments were provided, and use of land leased for short or longer terms to York commercial and amatuer groups, events, clubs and societies. In 1921 the corporation accepted the donation of Rowntree Park from Joseph Rowntree, and it became York's first municipal park.
Replaced the Strays Committee (1907-1913) in 1913 and took over allotment functions from the Estates Committee. Instructed Head Gardener and Parks Superintendant. Allotment functions transferred to Allotments Committee c.1924. Merged with Alloments committee in 1961.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

These volumes have indexes.

Strays Committee - becomes Parks and Smallholdings Committee in 1913

51.1 1907-21
52.1 1921-28
2 1928-35
3 1935-43
4 1943-49
5 1949-53
6 1953-57

plus draft Parks and Smallholdings Committee minutes

52a 1951-1952

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open

Material is available subject to the usual terms and conditions of access to Archives and Local History collections.

Conditions governing reproduction

Images are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Finding aids

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    Alternative identifier(s)

    legacy

    BC51, BC52.1-7, BC52a

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