Portland Year Book 1905 |
| CONTRASTS IN LOCAL EXPENDITURE 1871-1904 |
|
- Contrasts in Local Expenditure 1871-1904
- In 1871 the Island's population was 9,130
In 1901 it had risen to 15,199
At the middle of 1904 Dr. Howard (Medical officer) estimated it at 13,500
The rateable value in 1871 was �17,400
In 1904 it was �33,118
The area of the Island is 2,897 acres
In 1871 the total receipts of the Local Authority were �955 and the expenditure �866
The Urban District Council in 1904 had a revenue of �21,114 (other than from loans) and its expenditure was �25,746. The figures for 1904 include the Gas and Waterworks revenue and expenditure.
The general district rate in 1871 was 9d in the � for the half year.
In 1901 it was 3s for the half year
A Year's Income
In 1904 the Urban District Council received:
| |
� |
|
General District rates |
7,991 |
|
Private Improvement Work |
738 |
|
Private Street Works |
143 |
|
Dorset County Council for main road maintenance |
3,367 |
|
Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector's salaries |
63 |
|
Ferry Bridge Stock |
40 |
|
Education Committee work |
146 |
|
Miscellaneous sources |
110 |
|
Waterworks Revenue |
1,355 |
|
Gas Works |
7,159 |
|
* Total income from all these sources given as �21,114 |
21,112 |
[* Difference probably due to rounding]
A Year's Expenditure
| |
� |
| Main road maintenance (paid by the County Council) |
3,815 |
| On the other highways of the. Island |
760 |
| Road scavenging and watering |
83 |
| Sewerage |
1,030 |
| House scavenging |
675 |
| Pleasure grounds |
332 |
| Private improvement works (repaid to the Council) |
277 |
| Waterworks |
3,291 |
| Gas works |
6,634 |
| Public lighting |
512 |
| Fire brigade |
183 |
| Infectious diseases prevention |
91 |
| Port sanitary authority |
183 |
| Salaries |
1,083 |
| Establishment charges |
653 |
| Elections |
47 |
| Legal and parliamentary expenses |
144 |
| Education |
144 |
| During the year the loans were reduced |
1,807 |
| Repayment of principal |
3,952 |
| The total expenditure, including loan charges, gas and water works �25,746 |
25,696 |
[There is a difference of �50 - probably a printing error ? ]
In a addition the:
| |
� |
s |
| Sewerage |
144 |
|
| Footpaths |
28 |
|
| Waterworks |
1 |
7 |
| Gas works |
2,451 |
|
| Pleasure Grounds |
1,128 |
|
| Council spent out of loans |
3,754 |
|
[Difference probably due to rounding]
THE ISLAND'S DEBT
The Urban Sanitary Authority raised its first loan in March, 1891, when it borrowed �500 for 30 years for the provision of stores. This was followed in 1896 by �1,768 borrowed by the Urban District Council for 10 years for footpath improvements. The total loans originally raised, and the amount of debt outstanding (1904) are as follows :-
|
Date of Borrowing |
|
Original Loan |
Period of Loan |
Balance Outstanding |
| |
|
� |
Years |
� |
| 1891 |
Stores |
500 |
(30) |
337 |
| 1896 |
Footpaths |
1,768 |
(10) |
306 |
| 1897 |
Water Supply |
500 |
(5) |
|
| 1898 |
|
3,800 |
(50) |
|
| 1898 |
|
10,500 |
(30) |
|
| 1898 |
|
10,000 |
(30) |
|
| 1899 |
|
2,029 |
(30) |
|
| 1899 |
|
2,570 |
(15) |
|
| 1899 |
|
7,152 |
(30) |
33,753 |
| 1900 |
Drainage |
10,000 |
(30) |
- |
| 1901 |
Drainage |
8,400 |
(30) |
16,731 |
| 1901 |
Gas Works |
35,000 |
(40) |
33,497 |
| 1902 |
Gas Works |
3,239 |
(40) |
3,147 |
| 1901 |
Gas Works (Parliament Costs) |
958 |
(3) |
638 |
| 1901 |
Water Supply (reservoir) |
4,800 |
(30) |
4,486 |
| 1901 |
Water Supply (reservoir) |
420 |
(46) |
409 |
| 1902 |
Pleasure Gardens (Ferry Bride Fund) |
1,500 |
(20) |
2528 |
| |
Pleasure Gardens (Ferry Bride Fund) |
956 |
|
| 1903 |
Pleasure Gardens (Ferry Bride Fund) |
300 |
(20) |
| |
Totals |
�104.392 |
|
�95,832 |
Thus the Island has borrowed �101,392 and repaid �8,560, leaving a net balance of debt �95,832. Summarised, the outstanding indebtedness of the Council at the end of 1904 was made up as follows :
| |
� |
|
| Gas Works |
37,282 |
(Revenue earning) |
| Water Supply |
38,648 |
(Revenue earning) |
| |
75.930 |
|
| Pleasure Gardens |
2,528 |
(Unproductive) |
| Drainage |
16,731 |
|
| Footpaths |
306 |
|
| Stores |
337 |
|
| |
19,902 |
|
| Revenue earning |
75,930 |
| Unproductive |
19,902 |
| |
95,832 |
In the year ending March 5, 1904, the debt services required �1,807 for repayment of principal, and �3,952 interest on the loans. This, of course, includes the Gas and Waterworks, which are revenue earning.
By the Portland Urban District Council (gas &c) Act of 1900, �.36,551 of the Water Works Loans was extended to a uniform period of 50 years (originally the money was borrowed some for 50 years, the bulk for 30 years and some for 15 years.) In 1900 the balances were consolidated and amounted to �34,977, to bear interest at 3� cent and repayable in 99 Half-yearly instalments. The balance unpaid (1904) was �38,648.
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