Bank Committee: February 16th 1925
The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:
Payment of Wages through the Bank.
In connection with this matter the Bournville Works Council have put forward the suggestion that in placing the scheme before the workers they should be able to say that the Bournville Works, Selly Oak and Stirchley Branches, would be open on Fridays from 12:30 to 8pm. Your Committee have considered this suggestion and think that a trial might be given to opening the three branches named on Fridays from 5pm to 7:30pm in addition to the present fixed hours and that if such additional hours are ultimately agreed to that the depositors at the three Branches be notified accordingly. This experiment would be of value in ascertaining whether Friday evening is more suitable to depositors than Saturday or Monday evenings. Your Sub-Committee recommend accordingly.
1990 RESOLVED:- That, subject to agreement with the Bournville Works Council, the General Manager be authorised to make arrangements for
the opening for a trial period of three months of the Stirchley, Selly Oak and Bournville Works Branches on Friday evenings from 5pm
to 7:30pm in addition to the present times of opening and to notify all depositors at such branches accordingly.
716 On Minute No 692 (Proposed opening of daily Branches on additional evenings) the General Manager presented the following report:
At the last Meeting of the General Purposes Sub-Committee I was requested to consider whether it would be possible to arrange for the Bank to open on Friday evenings in addition to Saturdays and Mondays, and to so arrange the work by rota that no member of the Staff would be required to work more than two evenings in the week.
I have given considerable thought to this matter, but I cannot recommend the adoption of any system which will divide the control and responsibility at a Branch.
There are many difficulties in the way of working a rota staff for the purpose of the Bank. In the first place, it would mean continual change at the same Branch if the officers were to be treated fairly as between Friday, Saturday or Monday evening duties, and depositors would continually have to deal with first one Branch Manager and then another. The same thing would apply to all the Branch Assistants.
It would also mean that the incoming Branch Manager would have to attend at the Branch to take over the cash and accept the responsibility for the premises, and on the same day he would have to make similar arrangements at the Branch he was leaving. Assistants who hold keys of a Branch would have to make similar arrangements with another officer. Such a system would, I am afraid, tend to looseness, and would weaken our present position of being able to fix responsibility.
There is a further objection to working by rota, in that it would mean increased work and supervision in making necessary arrangements, the liability of confusion during the holiday period (which extends over at least six months of the year), and during temporary absence on sick leave.
I strongly feel that in the interests of the Bank the Committee should maintain the present days and hours of business; and I am quite satisfied that if the practice of providing adequate counter accommodation at Branches is followed, the depositors can be dealt with quickly and to their satisfaction. I would repeat that no demand has been made for any change, and I think the policy of adhering to the fixed hours of business instead of again disturbing the arrangements is the best.
It is difficult to estimate the extra cost which a rota staff would entail; but as 98 officers would have to be relieved for one night in the week, it will be seen that additional staff would be required.
After consideration of the foregoing report, the Sub-Committee decided to defer further consideration of the matter until the result is known of the experiment which may be tried at Selly Oak and Stirchley Branches in connection with payment of wages.
Bank Committee: January 18th 1926
2232 The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:
Bournville Scheme - Payment of Wages.
An intimation has now been received from the Bournville Works Council to the effect that the circularising of employees of Messrs Cadbury Bros on the question of payment of wages through Branches of the Bank has resulted in 109 employees having intimated their desire to join the Scheme, and 80 of these persons desire to be dealt with at the Bournville Works Branch. It was originally contemplated that two of the Branches (Selly Oak and Stirchley) should be specially opened on Friday evenings for 2½ hours to deal with transactions under the Scheme, but in view of the small response which has, up to the present, been received to the proposals, your Sub-Committee were of opinion that for the time being no such special openings should be arranged, but that the transactions should be dealt with during the ordinary hours of business. They have accordingly instructed the General Manager to take the necessary steps to carry out the Scheme on these lines.
2237 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of
the General Purposes Sub-Committee be approved.
Finance Sub-Committee: May 9th 1927
The General Manager called the attention of the Sub-Committee to a demand for Land Tax amounting to 10/6d which had been received in respect of the Selly Oak premises, the freehold of which had been acquired by the Bank. In view of the fact that the Replies to the Requisitions on the Abstract of Title did not mention this liability it was:
84 RESOLVED:- That the matter be referred to the Town Clerk and the General Manager to consider whether the Bank are liable for the payment of the demand in question.
Bank Committee: May 16th 1927
The following report of the General Manager with reference to claim for land tax in respect of premises 523 and 525 Bristol Road, Selly Oak was submitted:
Redemption of Land Tax at Selly Oak.
In January 1922 the Bank purchased the two freehold shops and dwelling houses, Nos 523 and 525 Bristol Road, Selly Oak. No mention was made of land tax being payable at the time of purchase, and in response to the Town Clerk's requisitions on title as to whether there was any tithe, tithe rent charge or unusual outgoing, the reply was given "Not to the Vendor's knowledge". The general conditions under which the property was purchased provides that the property is sold subject to all land or tithe rent charge (if any) affecting the same.
The Collector of Taxes has made a claim for payment of land tax for 1926-1927 amounting to 10/6d, and states that the tax has never been redeemed and is therefore payable. The Collector further states that hitherto the tax has been paid proportionally by the owners of seven cottages in Glen Grove and of four shops Nos 515 to 521 Bristol Road, and that in order to correct the records kept by the previous collector it has been necessary to go back to 1880.
The Town Clerk advises that if the collector is right in his contention that the property is subject to tax the Bank is liable for payment of it.
Mr Wilde, who has looked into this matter along with the Bank officers, considers there is every evidence to support the contention of the Collector, and that but for an error in the assessment records the Bank would have been charged from the date of purchase.
Under these circumstances I recommend that the Town Clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps to redeem the Tax.
2703 RESOLVED:- That the report be approved and that the Town Clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps to redeem the Land Tax payable in respect of premises 523 and 525 Bristol Road Selly Oak.
Finance Sub-Committee: June 13th 1927
On Minute No 84 (Land Tax, Selly Oak Branch) it was reported that the General Committee at their last meeting had instructed the Town Clerk to redeem the tax in question and it was accordingly:
93 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 84 be discharged.
Bank Committee: December 19th 1927
On Minute No 2703 the following report of the Town Clerk was submitted with reference to redemption of land tax:
December 6th 1927
Redemption of Land Tax.
523-5 Bristol Road, Selly Oak.
I have to report that the proceedings in connection with the redemption of the land tax of 10/6d on the above premises have been completed. For redemption purposes the tax was assessed on this basis, in respect of which consideration money, amounting to £13. 2. 6d has been paid. The premises are exonerated as from 29th September last.
The Contract has been received,
and I accordingly ask that the minute be discharged.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 9th 1928
The General Manager presented the following report with regard to the depositorship at the Selly Oak Branch and the question of meeting the requirements of the population in the districts of Selly Oak and Bournbrook:
Selly Oak Branch.
The Selly Oak Branch was first opened as an evening branch, on the 1st September 1919, in the Selly Oak Friends Institute, as it was impossible to find suitable accommodation elsewhere. Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining satisfactory premises, particularly in what may be termed the centre of the Selly Oak area. The present premises were opened on February 10th 1923, when the branch became a daily branch. In the five years which have elapsed since the branch opened daily, the funds have increased from £34,000 to £173,000 and the number of depositors from 1,283 to 4,867.
A new shopping area is being developed in the upper Selly Oak area at the corner of Oak Tree Lane and Bristol Road, and it would appear advisable to consider whether a branch of the Bank in this position would not meet the needs of residents, in addition to the one which is known as the Selly Oak Branch and is situate at Nos 523 and 525 Bristol Road.
The number of depositors having accounts in the branch is 4,867, and in order that the Committee may appreciate the position, an analysis of the districts in which these depositors reside has been made. For the purpose of this analysis the district of Selly Oak has been divided into two portions, the Railway being taken as the dividing line. The estimated population in the division nearest the branch, ie below the Railway bridge, is 12,900 and of that 2,707, or 20.9% are depositors, while in the division above the Railway bridge, the estimated population is 8,500 and of these 1,490, or 17.6% are depositors. These percentages prove that the depositors below the Bridge find the present branch more convenient than those who reside above. The balance of depositors is spread over the City. These figures show that the branch draws a heavy percentage of its depositors from the district below the Railway Bridge.
The population of the district below the branch may be said to be fairly stationary, but on the other hand building is proceeding in the district above the Bridge in one or two roads on the right hand side of Bristol Road, and no doubt future development will take place in this area. While the development does not appear to be on a large scale, the population which a branch situate near the corner of Oak Tree Lane and Bristol Road would serve may be estimated between 12,000 or 13,000.
1298 RESOLVED:- That the Chairman and the Chairman of the General Committee with the General Manager be requested to visit the areas in question with a view to ascertaining whether an alternative or additional site for a branch of the Bank is desirable in this neighbourhood.
1300 The attention of the Sub-Committee was called to property No 1621, Bristol Road, which was for sale, but as other arrangements had now been made, no action was taken in the matter.
2870 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 2703 be discharged.
Bank Committee: October 15th 1928
Painting at Bank Premises.
Arrangements
have been made and tenders accepted for the painting of Bank premises as follows:
Harborne Branch - J H Simmons - £38. 12. 6.
Selly
Oak - Morgan & Colton - £22. 0. 0.
Stirchley - Morgan & Colton - £46. 10. 0.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 10th 1928
On Minute No 1320, the General Manager presented the following report with regard to the available use of land and buildings purchased for branch bank purposes:
1329 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the General Manager be approved.
Bank Committee: November 17th 1930
The General Manager presented the following report as to premises Nos 523 and 525, Bristol Road:
Selly Oak Premises.
The Chairman and General Manager have considered the position which has arisen at the above Branch consequent upon the tenant of the house No 523 Bristol Road having given up possession. There is another tenant in the house No 525 Bristol Road, which is protected by the Rent Restrictions Act.
In July, 1928 the question was raised as to whether a new site for the Selly Oak Branch should be secured or an enlargement of the present premises undertaken when the Bank were in a position to obtain possession of the houses, and it was left with the Chairman and the General Manager to consider and report their recommendations.
There being no likelihood at that time of obtaining vacant possession of the houses, and no other suitable site or premises being available, consideration of the matter was deferred.
As a result of the changes in circumstances the Chairman and General Manager have inspected the Selly Oak Branch and premises and have also made a tour of the district, and as a consequence have come to the conclusion that the wisest course would be to continue the Branch in premises where it has already been established, and that steps should be taken to secure vacant possession of the remaining house. Mr Wilde was, therefore, instructed to see the tenant of No 525 and endeavour to come to terms for vacant possession, and he now reports that the tenant is agreeable to vacating the house on or before the 19th January next on payment of the sum of £50.
The Chairman and General Manager recommend that this arrangement be agreed to, and that when vacant possession is obtained the Selly Oak premises should be suitable enlarged to meet the requirements of depositors and staff.
3900 RESOLVED:- That the arrangement made for obtaining vacant possession of No 525, Bristol Road on payment to the tenant of the sum of £50 be approved, and that the General Manager be instructed to arrange for the submission of a scheme for the enlargement of the Selly Oak premises, upon such vacant possession being obtained, to meet the requirements of the depositors and the staff.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 8th 1930
On Minute No 1298, the General Manager reported that Mr Frank Wilde had arranged with the tenant of No 525 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, to vacate the premises on the 15th instant, so that it would now be possible to proceed with the projected extension scheme.
1605 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be instructed to direct Mr Stewart Evans to prepare and submit an extension scheme for the Selly Oak Branch premises.
Bank Committee: December 15th 1930
3925 The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:
Selly Oak Premises.
As authorised by Minute No 3900 of your Committee, arrangements have been made with the tenant of No 525 Bristol Road, Selly Oak to vacate the premises on the 15th instant, so that it will be now possible to proceed with the projected extension scheme for the Selly Oak Branch. Your Sub-Committee have therefore given directions to Mr Stewart Evans (Architect) to be instructed to prepare and submit plans for a suitable enlargement.
3927 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee be approved.