General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 23rd 1923
The General Manager reported that in connection with the Dunlop Savings Scheme he had arranged for clerks to attend at Fort Dunlop and at Manor Mills to open accounts and take over monies transferred to the Bank. The result had not been satisfactory and Councillor Appleby suggested that the Dunlop Company should be approached with a view to a more suitable arrangement being adopted.
Finance Sub-Committee: December 3rd 1923
The General Manager stated that the licences held in respect of the ten revolvers in the hands of certain members of the staff had now expired. He stated that he had conferred with the Chairman (Councillor Appleby) and the Chief Constable on the matter. If it was proposed to renew the licences, as a matter of principle it would be necessary to purchase ten additional revolvers, so that one could be kept at each daily branch.
The question was considered as to the desirability of continuing the practice of keeping revolvers at the branches. The General Manager stated that the views of the Branch Managers differed on the matter. The Chief Constable had expressed the view that it was difficult for him to advise one way or another, as some Branch Managers had stated the possession of a revolver gave a certain amount of confidence.
The General Manager stated that he would not advise the further expenditure for this purpose, and doubted the wisdom of the revolvers being on the premises. He found that in most cases the revolver was kept in an inaccessible place and in effect served no purpose.
After
consideration, it was:
187 RESOLVED:- That no further revolvers be purchased, that the certificates in respect of the existing revolvers be not renewed, and that the General Manager be instructed to dispose of the weapons.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 10th 1923
The following communication from the General Committee was received with reference to the accompanying communication from the National Society of Painters:
"A communication from the District Organiser of the National Society of Painters was received.
1573 - Resolved - That the communication be referred to the General Purposes Sub-Committee."
The General Manager presented the following Report on the subject:
Painting and Decoration of Premises.
The General Manager has considered the circular letter addressed to the Town Clerk by the District Organiser of the National Association of Painters, who states that 15% of their members are unemployed with very little prospect of obtaining employment, and suggesting that public work might be put in hand during the Winter months to ease the state of unemployment in the industry.
Some of the Bank premises do require attention by way of decorations. In particular this is noticeable at the Sparkbrook Branch. As a result of the alterations to the premises which were completed in July 1921 there was a certain amount of discolouration of the walls which appear to be inevitable in connection with additions and alterations to old buildings, and the premises now present rather a bad appearance.
The General Manager suggests that a small Sub-Committee should be appointed to inspect various premises along with him, with power to give such direction in the matter as they deem advisable.
440 RESOLVED:- That the report be approved and that the matter be referred to the Chairman and the Chairman of the General Committee with the General Manager, to take such steps as they may consider expedient for the painting and re-decoration of branch premises where required.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 14th 1924
456 On Minute No 440 (Painting and redecorating of Branches) this question was referred to the Chairman, with Councillors Appleby and Gelling, and the General Manager, to take such steps in this connection as may be considered desirable after an inspection of the premises concerned has been made.
In regard to the purchase of properties for Bank purposes, the consideration of this Sub-Committee was given to the question of whether it would be desirable to take steps to obtain authority to enable the bank to acquire properties for branch purposes without awaiting the Council's approval before each purchase is completed. It was pointed out that delay sometimes took place between the meeting of the Committee at which the purchases were recommended, and the meeting of the City Council, thus running the risk of the vendor withdrawing his offer.
It was pointed out that the Public Works and Town Planning Committee had been given authority to purchase, within certain limits, property for Road Improvement Schemes, without going to the Council for their approval for each individual purchase, a general scheme having been approved by the Council. After consideration, it was:
465 RESOLVED:- That the Town Clerk be instructed to submit his observations on the proposal that the Bank be enabled by a general authority of the Council or otherwise to acquire properties for branch purposes, so as to avoid the necessity of awaiting the Council's approval before completing each purchase; in this connection the Town Clerk to report his recommendations as to the manner in which this object would be best achieved to the special meeting of the Committee dealing with amendment of Rules and Regulations.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 22nd 1924
480 The Sub-Committee had under consideration the question of further amending the draft Regulations to meet various points which had arisen since the same were approved by the Bank Committee in January, 1923.
481 On considering Regulation No 13 (Offices and Branches) the Town Clerk presented the following Report:
15th January 1924
REGULATIONS.
I beg to report by way of supplement to my report, which is still before the Committee for their consideration, dated the 19th November, 1923.
I understand that I am now asked to advise upon your Committee's proposal to omit from Regulation No 10 the requirement of obtaining the consent of the City Council before purchase or erection of premises for the use of the Bank. The Committee will be aware that this matter is not only governed by regulation, but also by the General Instructions to Committees of the City Council with respect to a vote of money for the purchase of land or property.
If your Committee have reached the conclusion that the obligation to obtain the approval of the Council to intended purchases is detrimental to the interests of the Bank, it would be desirable I think in the first instance to inform the Council accordingly, and suggest that General Instruction No 6 should be relaxed in your favour either wholly or within certain limits.
It is only right, however, that I should remind your Committee that the Council in the past appear to have jealously preserved this safeguard, and I believe other Committees have applied unsuccessfully for its relaxation.
The only exception is the Public Works Committee, which, being a Statutory Highway Authority, has been authorised by the Council to buy lands for street widening purposes within the limits of a certain sum each year which is provided in the estimates.
The Public Works Committee, however, when buying land for other purposes is bound by the General Instruction.
It is doubtful, therefore, if a safe analogy can be drawn between the purchase of property for Branch Banks, and the acquisition of sites for street improvement.
In the event of the Council acceding to your request, it would be necessary to obtain the approval of the Treasury, and the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies to the proposed alteration by virtue of rule 59 inasmuch as the rules are made binding on the Corporation by Rule 5.
After consideration, the Sub-Committee were of opinion that no steps should be taken at the present time to obtain the relaxation of the Council's Instructions referred to in the foregoing Report, and the Town Clerk was directed to redraft Regulation No 13 to be in accord with the Instructions to Committees regarding sale of properties.
After the Town Clerk had explained the differences which existed between the existing rules and regulations and the proposed regulations and the Sub-Committee had considered the various suggested additional amendments referred to them for examination, it was.
482 RESOLVED:- That the General Committee be recommended to approve the draft Regulations, subject to the requisite sanctions being granted; and to instruct the Town Clerk and General Manager to approach HM Treasury with a view to their provisional approval being obtained to such draft Regulations prior to submission of the same to the City Council.
Finance Sub-Committee: February 11th 1924
The following report of the General Manager as to a proposed amendment of the cash order system was received:
Obtaining supplies of money from the Midland Bank Limited.
The Chairman (Councillor Appleby) and General Manager have reviewed the working of the Cash Order system, and have considered whether any alteration is desirable or not in the instructions issued to the Branch Managers.
The arrangement works quite smoothly and satisfactorily, except in one particular which it is now proposed to alter.
At present the orders are signed by the General Manager and Mr Carver jointly, or in the absence of both or either by the Assistant General Manager and Mr Parsonage also acting jointly. This presents a little difficulty as, when Mr Carver has signed such orders, if the General Manager happens to be away such orders are useless. Similarly in the case of Mr Ellison and Mr Parsonage.
It is therefore proposed for the future that, irrespective of whether the orders are signed by Mr Carver or Mr Parsonage, the second signature shall be that of the General Manager, and where the latter is not available or unable to so act that Mr Ellison (Assistant General Manager) be authorised to give the second signature.
The safeguard is in no sense weak weakened by this alteration which is a desirable one from an administrative point of view, and it is recommended that instructions be given to the Midland Bank Limited accordingly.
211 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the General Manager be approved, that the Regulations relating to Cash Orders be amended as proposed, and that the Midland Bank Limited be instructed accordingly.
Bank Committee report to the City Council: March 4th 1924
LOCATION OF BRANCHES.
In accordance with a request made at the January meeting of the Council, your Committee have had indicated on a Plan of the City the positions of the various Branch Banks which have been established. This plan will be on view at the Council Meeting in the ante-room to the Council Chamber, and in addition photographs of some of the temporary and permanent Branch Banks. These photographs will illustrate the general design adopted by the Bank Committee in connection with structural alterations. It has been the general practice to open branches in the first place in temporary premises, and as the business increased to secure permanent premises, suitably adapt same, and provide increased facilities. This procedure has enabled your Committee to obtain comparisons of the results achieved, and they are satisfied that the right policy has been adopted.
The Committee intend to continue the extension of Branches in suitable areas as opportunity offers, and will report from time to time their action.
Finance Sub-Committee: March 10th 1924
The General Manager stated that he had received the quarterly accounts from the Post Office Telephones in respect of calls made at the branches. In accordance with instructions, careful records had been kept at each branch and such records approximately agreed with the account received, with the exception of the Small Heath Branch where there was an appreciable difference. The Telephone Authorities declined to accept the Bank record and had given no satisfactory explanation in regard to the difference.
222 RESOLVED:- That the matter be left to the General Manager to settle.
Finance Sub-Committee: April 14th 1924
The General Manager presented the following report with reference to the provision of automatic switches in connection with the heating system at the Branches.
HEATING
The cost of keeping the heating system going during the night in severe weather at half pressure, in order that the offices may be reasonably warm for the staff at 9am, is considerable.
An automatic switch has been installed at Sparkbrook Branch on the instructions of the Committee as an experiment.
The results have been highly satisfactory, the average temperature obtained at 9am during the test being 53 degrees, and after that time the officer in charge can either increase or decrease the supply of gas as he thinks fit.
Under the old system the gas was left on at half pressure throughout the night during severe weather. Under the present scheme a by-pass only remains on during the night, but at 6am the clock automatically switches on the gas at full pressure.
The average daily consumption of gas under the old scheme was 633 feet and, under the new scheme, 466 feet, a saving of 167 feet per day.
The cost of a time switch for the above purpose is £2. 5. 0d. plus about £1. 5. 0d for fixing.
The instructions of the Committee are requested.
229 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be instructed to arrange for a further trial of one month to be given to the automatic switches for heating referred to in this report.
Finance Sub-Committee: May 12th 1924
On Minute No 229, the General Manager presented the following report as to automatic for heating
at Branches.
HEATING.
In accordance with instructions of the Committee, further tests have been carried out during the month with the automatic clock which has been fixed to the Heating Apparatus at Sparkbrook Branch. The tests now carried out have again proved entirely satisfactory, no failure being reported throughout the period.
The average temperature obtained at 9am has been as follows:
From March 21st to 31st, 53 degrees
From April 1st to 17th, 54 "
From April 22nd to May 8th, 57 "
This temperature has been obtained by a consumption of an average of 180 feet per day.
The clock is set at present to switch on the gas to full pressure, at which pressure the consumption is 60 feet per hour, at 6am, and automatically to turn off the gas at 9am. Should the temperature not be sufficient during the day the gas can be put on at any pressure required without interfering with the mechanism of the clock.
The saving effected by this system is very considerable, as on the old system, during very severe weather the gas was left on at half-pressure, consuming 40 feet per hour, during the whole period when the staff were not in attendance at the Bank, and the temperature at 9am was practically the same as that obtained under the present system.
It is recommended that automatic switches be fixed at all Branches having B.T.U. heating apparatus.
239 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager's report be approved and that he be instructed to arrange for automatic switches to be fixed at all Branches having B.T.U. heating apparatus.