NRS-15832 | Minute books of the Works Committee [Municipality of Balmain]

This series which contains minutes of the general and special meetings of the Works Committee [Municipality of Balmain] was created under s. 67 of the Municipal Institutions Act 1858 (22 Victoria Act No. 13) and continued under subsequent legislation. The Minutes were created at least fortnightly and recorded chronologically. This section specified that the proceedings of every council meeting be transcribed into a book. The general meetings record correspondence and mayoral minutes received by the Committee, reports submitted by Council Officers, and the ensuing motions and reports to be submitted to the Council. The minutes document the variety of activities for which the Committee was also responsible including: liasing with related authorities such the Department of Public Works, regarding overlapping responsibilities, investigation of claims of nuisance caused by smoke, noise or fumes, and assessment of buildings applications. The Committee regularly conducted visits and referred matters to council officers to investigate. The Minute books from 1860 until 1925 are missing and may be not be extant.The Reports of the Works Committee were summarised in the Minutes of the General Council (see NRS 15810).Special Meetings were called to record a specific issue. Reports were generally also tabled at these meetings relating to the subject.Custody History This series was in the custody of Mitchell library from 1965 until December 2001 when it was transferred to State Records NSW under section 29 of the State Records Act, 1998.