Finance Sub-Committee: October 9th 1922

The Manager reported that in view of the alterations being carried out at Aston, Duddeston, Rotton Park and Ladywood Branches, as a precautionary measure, cash in excess of £50 was brought in to Head Office, pending suitable instructions being given by the Sub-Committee.

The Manager reported that in the ordinary way each daily Branch (except Saltley) was covered in respect of loss or theft up to £2,000 by the Guarantee Society and he considered that £1,000 in each case would be sufficient to cover the Branches named during the progress of the alterations.

87        RESOLVED:- That the Manager be authorised to approach the Guarantee Society with a view to Aston, Duddeston, Rotton Park and Ladywood Branches being covered for an amount of £1,000 in each case during the period of the alterations.

With reference to Saltley Branch, the Manager reported that this Branch was only covered for £300. This caused hardship on the officers and incurred considerable risk in the transit of cash. The Manager suggested that the Guarantee Society should be approached with a view to this Branch being covered for £1,000.

88        RESOLVED:- That the Manager be authorised to make arrangements accordingly.

Finance Sub-Committee: October 9th 1922

The Manager submitted the following list of insurances effected against fire in respect of furniture and fittings at the various branches:

85       RESOLVED:- That the list be approved and the Manager's action in the matter confirmed.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 9th 1922

On Minute No 141 (Etna system of heating and lighting) the Sub-Committee were informed that the system would be introduced as opportunity offered at all permanent branches and at temporary premises, where the expenditure was warranted.

175    RESOLVED:- That Minute No 141 be discharged.

Bank Committee: October 16th 1922

1236a The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:

Branch Premises.

Your Sub-Committee have given careful thought to the question of greater security and privacy in dealing with cash at Branches and other matters and have given directions as follows:

That where the space will permit counters of approximately 4 feet wide will be installed at the permanent branches.

That suitable enclosures (or pens) be provided for the cashiers at branches.

That telephone connection be arranged at the permanent Branches so that communication can be quickly obtained to Head Office, the Police Station or the Fire Station. The Manager has been requested to obtain reduced terms if possible for such restricted service.

That suitable plates giving the address of the Head Office be fixed at all permanent branches, and footplates advertising the Bank to the vestibule doors.

1243 RESOLVED: That the report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee be approved and the various actions therein referred to be confirmed.

Special General Purposes Sub-Committee: November 20th 1922

With reference to the heating of branches by means of the Etna system which had been installed at certain branches, the General Manager reported that complaints had been received from the Branch Managers as to the inadequacy of the heating by this system. After consideration, it was:

188     RESOLVED:- That the matter be referred to Councillors Appleby and Higgins, together with the General Manager, to inspect the apparatus in use at the Sparkbrook Branch in the presence of a representative of the Etna Company, and to take such action as they may consider desirable in the matter.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 11th 1922

On Minute No 161, the General Manager reported that he had been in communication with the Post Office Telephone Department who could not see their way to make any reduction in their tariff rates in respect of a restricted service at Branches and the charges would be in accordance with such tariff rates.

The Sub-Committee were of opinion that the installation was very necessary at the Daily Branches, to enable Branch Managers to get rapidly into communication with Head Office and in cases of emergency with the Police and Fire Stations. It was accordingly:

204     RESOLVED:- That the General Committee be recommended to authorise the installation of a Telephone at each Daily Branch, the instruments to be used only for communication between Head Office and Branches, between one Branch and another, or to the Police or Fire Stations, and that any necessary Agreement be entered into with the Post Office Telephones.

208 On Minute No 188, the Sub-Committee were informed that Councillors Appleby and Higgins and the General Manager had inspected the heating installation at the Balsall Heath, Small Heath and Sparkbrook Branches and found that certain complaints made with regard to the unsatisfactory nature of the heating were justified. They had given directions for a new type of copper tube to be tried and for certain defects to be remedied, after which a further inspection would be made and a report presented in due course.

Bank Committee: December 18th 1922

1284 The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:

Telephones at Branches.

Your Sub-Committee are of opinion that telephones should be installed at all daily branches. The General Manager has been in communication with the Post Office Telephones with a view to obtaining a reduction in their tariff rates in respect of a restricted service, but has been informed that they could not see their way to reduce their charges, which would be an annual rental of £8 per instrument, plus payment for calls.

Your Sub-Committee are of opinion that the installation is very necessary at the daily branches to enable a Branch Manager to get into communication with Head Office and with other Branch Managers, and in the case of emergency, with the Police and Fire Stations. They therefore recommend your Committee to authorise the installation of telephones at all daily branches at the charges referred to, also to instruct the Town Clerk to enter into any agreement necessary with the Post Office Telephones.

RESOLVED:- That a telephone be installed at each Daily Branch, the instruments to be used only for communication between Head Office and Branches, between one Branch and another, or to the Fire or Police Stations.

Finance Sub-Committee: January 1st 1923

116 The General Manager reported as to an arrangement which had been arrived at, whereby two new typewriters had been supplied to the Bank for the sum of £17. 10. 0. and £16. 10. 0. respectively, in consideration of old machines being given up.

Finance Sub-Committee: February 5th 1923

The General Manager submitted Street Plan prepared by Mr Luke Dennis, on which were indicated the Branches of the Bank.

The Sub-Committee were of opinion that an advertisement in this form would not serve any useful purpose, and it was:

123     RESOLVED:- That no action be taken in the matter.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: March 12th 1923

291 The General Manager stated that he had approached the Chief Constable with reference to the question of security of Branch premises and a report would be submitted at a later meeting on the matter.

The General Manager gave particulars of a Savings Scheme proposed to be adopted by the Dunlop Rubber Company in connection with which they desired the Bank's co-operation. The General Manager was of opinion that there would be no difficulty in co-operating with the Company under the Scheme referred to and had so informed the Company.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: April 9th 1923

The General Manager submitted letters from Architects and Quantity Surveyors with reference to the professional work entailed in connection with the erection of Branch Banks and expressing the opinion that the work should in question should not be confined to one Architect, but should be open to competition.

317     RESOLVED:- That the communications referred to be considered in conjunction with future alteration schemes.

With reference to the lighting of Branches, the General Manager pointed out that trouble was being experienced at several Branches owing to the brilliancy of the lighting. He had arranged for representatives of the Etna Heating & Lighting Company and Electric Supply Department to be at the Balsall Heath Branch that day, when members of the Sub-Committee would have an opportunity of inspecting certain shades and bulbs.

322     RESOLVED:- That the matter be referred to Councillors Appleby and Higgins and the General Manager to take such action as they may consider expedient.

Finance Sub-Committee: April 9th 1923

With reference to cash in transit the General Manager called attention to the insertion in the policies taken out for the insurance of cash in transit between the Branches and Joint Stock Bank and Head Office of a clause by the Guarantee Society that carrying loss at the current rates, viz 2/- per £1000 should be limited to £5000. The General Manager pointed out that the clause in question had been inserted without reference to the Bank Committee or to himself. He pointed out that the limit had also been raised to £20,000 for cash in Head Office Strong Room, the Guarantee Society making an additional charge of £25 for the increase.

140    RESOLVED:- That the General Manager, in conjunction with the Treasurer be authorised to press for more reasonable terms and conditions on the points referred to and to report the result of their efforts to the next meeting of this Sub-Committee.

Report of General Manager to Bank Committee: April 30th 1923

Installation of Telephones.

The Committee decided during the year to install telephones at all Daily Branches, so that quick communication can be obtained with Head Office. This has proved of great service at the Branches where it has been has been installed and is much appreciated by the Staff.

Finance Sub-Committee: May 7th 1923

On Minute No 140 (Arrangements with Guarantee Society as to insurance of cash), the General Manager reported that he had conferred with the Treasurer regarding the terms arranged with the Guarantee Society and that the same appeared to be reasonable and were such as the Treasurer considered could not be obtained from any other such Company.

148     RESOLVED:- That the account from the Guarantee Society for £70/16/3 in respect of their charges for the year ended 30th September, 1922 be passed for payment, and the Treasurer and General Manager be instructed to make enquiries as to the charges made for the insurance of cash by non-tariff offices.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: May 14th 1923

341 On Minute No 322, the General Committee reported that satisfactory arrangements had now been made in conjunction with the Electric Supply Department for the provision of shades etc which it was anticipated would overcome the lighting difficulties experienced.

Finance Sub-Committee: June 4th 1923

On Minute No 145 (Insurance of cash by Guarantee Societies), the Treasurer stated that he had ascertained that the rates for insurance of cash by Lloyds, the foremost of the non-tariff offices, for the same class of risk, were higher than the rates quoted by the Guarantee Society. The Treasurer pointed out the necessity of insuring with an office of high standing, and stated that he would report further when the time arrived for the existing arrangement to be reconsidered.

Mr F W Daniels suggested that consideration should be given to the establishment of an Insurance Fund by the Corporation.

152     RESOLVED:- That consideration of the whole question of the insurance of Bank cash, including the suggestion of Mr Daniels, be deferred for the present.