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

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)

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.