Bank Committee: November 28th 1923
On Minute No 1521 (Premises for Head Office), the Chairman stated that negotiations had been carried out by the General Purposes Committee for the acquisition of property No 6 Edmund Street, and garage at rear, which had resulted in the General Purposes Committee acquiring the property at the sum of £15,000, subject to the approval of the City Council.
The owners and occupiers of the property (Messrs Nestle and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co) had decided to remove their branch from Birmingham, and immediate vacant possession could therefore, be obtained. It was thought that the premises could readily be adapted for the purpose of the Head Office of the Bank. The land adjoining the premises was used as a temporary garage.
The Chairman stated that he understood that the ultimate intention of the Corporation would be to widen at the corner of Edmund Street and Easy Row, which would make the property in question a very valuable corner site, and highly suitable for the purposes of the Bank.
The Committee proceeded to inspect the premises above referred to, and after discussion, it was
1583 RESOLVED:- That the Chairman be requested to approach the General Purposes and Finance Committee with a view to arrangements being made either (a) for the property to be acquired by the Bank Committee, or (b) for the portion of the property required for Bank purposes to be rented to the Bank at a sum to be agreed.
Bank Committee: December 17th 1923
On Minute No 1583 (Property – 6 Edmund Street) the Committee were informed that Council had approved the purchase of this property. As requested, the Chairman had approached the General Purposes Committee who were in agreement with the proposal for the Bank to rent the portion of the premises desired for Head Office purposes.
1592 RESOLVED: That the question of the terms of tenancy and the requirements necessary to adapt the premises for Head Office purposes, be referred to the General Purposes Sub-Committee for consideration and report.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 14th 1924
The following communication from the General Committee regarding proposed premises for Head Office, No 6 Edmund Street, was received:
On Minute No 1583 (Property - 6, Edmund Street) the Committee were informed that Council had approved the purchase of this property. As requested, the Chairman had approached the General Purposes Committee who were in agreement with the proposal for the Bank to rent the portion of the premises desired for Head Office purposes.
1592 RESOLVED:- That the question of the terms of the tenancy and the requirements necessary to adapt the premises for Head Office purposes be referred to the General Purposes Sub-Committee for consideration and report.
Furniture for Head Office Premises.
As the new premises for the bank, Nos 6 and 8 Edmund Street, there is certain office furniture in the way of tables, chairs, desks, etc, which would be useful to the Bank, and also certain electrical and other fittings which might be taken too. The Chairman (Councillor Appleby) has inspected these along with the General Manager, and decided to have the same valued with a view to making an offer therefor.
The valuation has been carried out by Messrs Shaw, Gilbert & Carver, and shows that
the fittings and furniture are worth £273. 8. 0. The Nestle & Anglo-Swiss Milk Co, have intimated that the lowest figure they
are prepared to accept is £300, and the decision of the Committee is desired in this matter.
(January 11th 1924.)
459 RESOLVED:- That the General Committee be recommended to approve the purchase of furniture and fittings, as above indicated, from Messrs Nestle and Anglo Swiss Milk Co at the sum of £300.
460 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be directed to request the City Surveyor to submit his suggestions with regard to the alteration of No 6 and 8 Edmund Street, so as to make the same suitable for the purposes of the Head Office of the Bank.
Bank Committee: January 21st 1924
1631 The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:
Nos 6 and 8 Edmund Street.
Your Sub-Committee report that certain of the office furniture and fittings at the above premises belonging to the late owners, Messrs Nestle & Anglo-Swiss Milk Co, have been offered to the Bank for the sum of £300. As the same are in good condition, and will be useful and necessary, your Sub-Committee have agreed to purchase the same at the price named.
They have instructed the General Manager to ask the City Surveyor to submit his recommendations for dealing with this property so as to make it suitable for the requirements of the Head Office of the Bank.
1633 RESOLVED: That the purchase of furniture and fittings at Nos 6 and 8 Edmund Street from Messrs Nestle & Anglo-Swiss Milk Co, at the sum of £300 be confirmed.
Bank Committee: May 19th 1924
The City Surveyor appeared before the Committee and submitted plans of the proposed alterations at Nos 6 & 8, Edmund Street for conversion of the premises to meet Head Office requirements.
The City Surveyor stated that the estimated cost of the alteration scheme, which did not include provision for furniture and fittings, was £4,465. 0. 0.
1768 RESOLVED:- That the plans be approved and the necessary tenders obtained for the carrying out of the work.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: February 11th 1924
On Minute No 460 (Premises 6 & 8 Edmund Street) the following communication from the General Purposes (Staff Accommodation) Sub-Committee was received:
On considering the allocation of the Edmund Street property it was:
157 RESOLVED:- That the building fronting Edmund Street be allocated to the Bank Committee and the Garage at the rear to the Public Works Committee; the proportion of the loan and sinking fund charges to be borne by each Committee, being settled by the representatives of the two Committees in conference with the City Treasurer.
486 RESOLVED:- That the Chairmen of the General Committee and the Finance Sub-Committee (Councillor Gelling) with the General Manager, be appointed representatives to confer with representatives of the Public Works and Town Planning Committee and the City Treasurer, for the purpose of agreeing the proportion of the loan and Sinking Fund Charges to be borne by each Committee in respect of their use of the premises No 6 and 8 Edmund Street.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: March 10th 1924
On Minutes Nos 460 and 486
(Premises, 6 & 8, Edmund Street) the Sub-Committee were informed that the City Treasurer had considered the question of the proportion
of the loan and sinking fund charges to be borne by the Bank and Public Works & Town Planning Committees respectively, in regard
to their use of the above premises and was of opinion that the allocation should be as follows:
Bank Committee £667. 0. 0
Public Works & Town Planning Committee £216. 0. 0
General Purposes Sub-Committee: May 12th 1924
On Minute No 460 (premises 6 & 8, Edmund Street) the General Manager reported that the City Surveyor had not yet submitted the proposals for dealing with the frontage of the property.
535 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be instructed to communicate with the City Surveyor with a view to obtaining his complete proposals for altering the property at an early date.
546 The General Manager informed the Sub-Committee that a statement had been made by a Miss Bonsfield that in stepping on the grating outside the Edmund Street property the same had given way, causing her some injury. The Town Clerk had looked into the matter. It appeared from the evidence very doubtful whether any claim made could be substantiated. Nothing further had been heard from Miss Bonsfield.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: June 2nd 1924
550 On Minute No 460, the Sub-Committee approved the draft advertisement for tenders for the proposed alterations to premises Nos 6 and 8, Edmund Street, submitted by the General Manager and directed that the advertisement be inserted in the usual papers; also that the plan of the proposed alterations, when completed, be submitted to the Chairman of the General Purposes (Accommodation) Sub-Committee for his approval.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 14th 1924
564 On Minute No 550 (Alterations 6 and 8, Edmund Street) the General Manager reported that the required advertisement had been issued inviting tenders for the carrying out of the required alterations at Nos 6 and 8, Edmund Street, and arrangements had been made for the same to be considered at the meeting of the Bank Committee to be held on Friday the 25th instant.
Bank Committee: August 7th 1924
The Committee proceeded to open and consider the following tenders which had been received for the carrying out of structural alterations at Nos 6 and 8 Edmund Street:
Maddock & Walford £4,286
F H Smith £4,473
W Sapcote & Sons £4,942
T Elvins £5,125
W & J Webb £5,149
R Fenwick, Ltd £5,159
George Webb & Son Ltd £5,198
F J Briley £5,465
J Moffatt & Sons £5,520
P W Cox £5,532
C A Horton £5,898
RESOLVED:- That the tender of Messrs Maddocks & Walford at the sum of £4,286 be accepted for the carrying out of the required alterations at Nos 6 & 8 Edmund Street, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to enter into the necessary contract and affix the Corporate Seal thereto.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 14th 1924
597 The General Manager reported that Superintendent Burnett on behalf of the Police and the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade, had inspected the premises in Edmund Street undergoing alterations, and the plans thereof. The Superintendent after conferring with the Building Surveyor, had agreed with the method of construction and the Chief Officer was satisfied as to the provision against fire. It was arranged that a further inspection should take place when the alterations are nearer completion.
598 In connection with the question of strong room accommodation, the following Report of the Town Clerk to the General Purposes Committee was read, together with the resolution of that Committee passed thereon.
September 18th 1924
In connection with the proposed removal of the Head Quarters of the Bank from the Council House to No 6 Edmund Street, and the structural alterations which are being made at the latter premises, the Manager of the Bank asked me to inspect with him the position at No 6 Edmund Street, upon which it is proposed to construct the strong room for the safe custody of the deeds of the Bank.
In this connection I think I must draw your Committee's attention to the responsibility attaching to the custody of these deeds. Under the Municipal Corporations' Act 1882 the statutory duties of the Town Clerk include the following:
"Section 17 (3) He shall have the charge and custody of, and be responsible for, the charters, deeds, records, and documents of the borough, and they shall be kept as the council direct."
In-as-much as the rules of the Bank contain the following, "The Committee of Management shall provide for the safe custody of all monies, mortgage deeds, and all other securities and property belonging to the Bank", I have hitherto raised no question as to the propriety having regard to my statutory obligation, to the Manager of the Bank having the custody of the deeds etc, these being kept in a strong room of the Council House. The position however now is to be altered by the removal of the deeds from the Council House to a building with which I shall have no direct connection. I am assured by the Manager of the Bank that it is essential for the efficient working of the Head Office of the Bank that immediate direct access can be had to the Bank's deeds, and if this is so I naturally do not wish to make difficulty by emphasising the statutory obligation in the matter and pressing that the Bank's deeds shall be placed in my custody, with all the other deeds and documents of the borough. I think, however, that if your Committee acquiesce in this arrangement on behalf of the Council, their decision should be entered upon their records.
11862 RESOLVED:- That the Town Clerk's report be approved and that this Committee confirm the arrangement made under which the deeds of the Municipal Bank are kept at the Bank's Head Office.
Finance Sub-Committee: October 14th 1924
The General Manager presented the following report:
Strong Room Door, Edmund Street.
The tender of Messrs S Withers & Co Ltd for a Strong Room Door (Bankers’ quality) amounting to £101. 15. 0 has been accepted. After considering the quotations of seven makers and the descriptions of the door, Councillor Appleby decided that the door quoted by Messrs Withers was the most suitable, and the price reasonable.
281 RESOLVED: That the action taken in accepting the tender of Messrs S Withers and Company Limited for a Strong Room door at the premises for Head Office, Edmund Street, at the sum of £101.15.0. be accepted.
Bank Committee: October 20th 1924
On Minute No 1845, the Town Clerk presented the following report as to the completion of contract with Messrs Maddocks & Walford for carrying out of alterations at Nos 6 and 8, Edmund Street.
September 23rd 1924
Alterations, etc to Premises in Edmund Street.
I have prepared, completed and affixed the Corporate Seal to a Contract with Messrs Maddocks and Walford in respect of the alterations and additions to be carried out at the premises known as Nos 6 - 8, Edmund Street.
1864 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 1845 be discharged.
1868 The following report of the Finance Sub-Committee was presented:
Strong
Room Door, Edmund Street.
The tender of Messrs S Withers & Co Ltd, for a Strong Room Door (Bankers' quality) for the Edmund Street premises at the sum of £101. 15. 0. has been accepted, this being the most suitable tender received.
1870 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the Finance Sub-Committee be approved.
Bank Committee: December 15th 1924
1942 The following report of the Finance Sub-Committee was presented:
Edmund Street Premises - Charges.
Your Sub-Committee report that the City Treasurer has, after consultation with the Superintendent Valuer, revised the apportionment of the loan charges and other outgoings on the above property, to be borne respectively by the Bank and Public Works etc Committee as follows:
Bank Committee £648
Public Works etc Committee £130
Your Sub-Committee recommend that the revised apportionment be approved.
1943 RESOLVED:- That this Committee approve the revised apportionment of the annual charges to be borne by the Public Works and Town Planning and Bank Committees in respect of the properties Nos 6 and 8, Edmund Street, namely:
Bank Committee £648
Public Works & Town Planning Committee £130