Altofts Urban District Council

The Altofts Urban District Council was a council which represented local governance in Altofts from its creation by the Local Government Act 1894 to its absorption into the neighbouring Normanton Urban District Council in 1939.

History
The Altofts UDC continued on from an earlier Local Board which held annual meetings. For some forty years prior to 1916 the local board and later UDC were led by the same Chairman, Sir William Garforth. The sudden departure of Garforth from politics due to illness that year led to considerable fighting by the other members in finding a replacement.

The Labour members initially recommended councillor W. Grieve as the new Chairman, though found opposition in T. Robinson, who recommended instead W.D. Lloyd, a colleague of Garforth's at the colliery. Labour disputed Lloyd's validicy due to his inexperience in the council, and instead offered Robinson himself. The councilors still were unable to reach a decision due to Robinson's voting against himself putting them at a deadlock. Ultimately Robinson was made Chairman unconditionally, and the Labour councillors demanded the role of Chairman be increased to two years as was done in Normanton.

1930s
In November 1936 Chairman W. Paxon declared his intentions to resign from the council to take up a Labour Party secretarial job in Southampton.

Actions of the council

 * In 1907 Altofts UDC purchased a field at Lock Lane, which they intended to be used as a place of recreation.

Chairmen

 * Known Chairmen
 * William E. Garforth (-1916)
 * T. Robinson (1916-17)
 * F. Schofield (1927-28)
 * W. Poxon (1936)
 * Oliver Jones (1939)


 * Known Vice-Chairmen
 * Hatherton (1927-28)