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41
"That where any 'New Street,' which is within the provisions of
"the Metropolis Management Acts relating to the paving of new streets
"or any part of such street abuts on one side on any open space
"dedicated to or held for the recreation or benefit of the public, a fair
"proportion of the cost of the first paving of such street or part of a
"street ought to be charged against the said open space and be borne
"by the body or persons answerable for the maintenance of such open
"space in the same manner and to the same extent as if such open space
"was land belonging to a private owner, and that the London County
"Council be requested to take such steps as may be proper for giving
"Parliamentary sanction to the above stated principle."
The County Council was asked to give the matter its consideration
with a view to the necessary steps being taken to
carry out the views contained in the foregoing resolution, and the
other Metropolitan Borough Councils were asked to support the
action of this Council.
Paving Charges. 32.—This Council again had under consideration the subject
of the charges made under apportionments of the
cost of paving new streets under the provisions of
the Metropolis Management Acts. As stated in the report for the
vear ended March. 1902, places of worship belonging to the
Established Church are exempt from such charges whilst Nonconformist
places of worship are not so exempt. Numerous representations
have been made from time to time by Trustees of
Nonconformist places of worship as to the hardship which they
suffer in this respect. Under the provisions of section 151 of the
Public Health Act, 1875, and section 16 of the Private Streets
Works Act, 1892 (which do not apply to London), the Incumbent,
Minister, or Trustee of any church, chapel, or place appropriated
to public worship is exempt from these charges and the charge
in respect thereof is borne by the local authority. This Council
being of opinion that the law in respect of these charges in the
Metropolis should be assimilated to that for the provinces, passed
the following resolution, viz.:—
"That where any 'New Street,' which is within the provisions of
"the Metropolis Management Acts relating to the paving of new streets,
"or any part of such streets, abuts on one side on a church of any
"denomination used exclusively for religious purposes, a fair proportion
"of the cost of the first paving of such street or part of a street ought to
"be charged against the General Rates of the Borough, and that the
"London County Council be requested to take such steps as may be
"proper forgiving Parliamentary sanction to the above-stated principle."