| AdminHistory | The Stables Sub-Committee had originally been a joint sub-committee, formed in February 1880 by the Health Committee and the Public Works Committee. It took over the management of the feeding of the horses for both departments, keeping special accounts, as the committee was dissatisfied at the cost of keeping Corporation horses as opposed to other authorities and the ‘omnibus companies of this town’. In September 1880, moves were made for a standing sub-committee, a veterinary surgeon and a Stables Department to be appointed to look after all the Council horses. In November 1880 the sub-committee was renamed the Stables Sub-Committee and in the following January, a Mr Malcolm was appointed as veterinary superintendent. After November 1911, this sub-committee and the Stables Department were transferred to the Lighting, Stables and Refuse Disposal Committee, though the minute numbers continued. There were several stables located at Sheepcote Street, Holliday Street, Lancaster Street, Coventry Road, Park Street, Barn Street, and at Montague Street, where there was a forge for shoeing and detailed accounts were kept over food, bedding, smith and veterinary costs, as well as the state of the horses themselves and their purchase and sale. With the increasing use of petrol and electric vehicles, the Stable Sub-Committee was finally renamed the Veterinary Sub-Committee in May 1954, and by January 1959 it was reduced to voting each month to accept the veterinary report. In February 1959 the department was transferred to the Markets and Fairs Committee (see BCC/1/AN). |