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General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 10th 1927

 

1168 The General Manager submitted a letter from Mr Percy W Upton, Architect, asking that he might be considered in connection with any work the Bank Committee might have to undertake. No action was taken on the letter.

 

Finance Sub-Committee: October 10th 1927

 

The General Manager presented the following report and schedule with reference to the Valuation of Bank premises for the purpose of the first new Valuation List under the Rating & Valuation Act 1925.

 

Re-Valuation of Bank Premises.

 

Messrs Bewlay and Smith, who have been specially appointed to deal with Corporation properties in connection with the Re-Valuation, have submitted their proposals to me. In many instances the proposed rateable values were so greatly in excess of what I considered to be the fair value, that I directed Mr Frank Wilde to re-value same and submit his recommendations.

 

On receiving Mr Wilde's figures, I then arranged a conference with Mr Bewlay at which Mr Wilde was present, and after much discussion we reached an agreement in each case, subject to approval by the Committee.

 

The sheet attached shows the present rateable value, the proposed rateable value, Mr Wilde's opinion, and the figure upon which we can find agreement.

 

It will be observed that no proposal was submitted by Mr Bewlay in respect of Acocks Green, Bordesley Green, Moseley and Nechells, but as he was anxious to arrive at a figure which he could accept as reasonable, he intimated his willingness to accept our proposals.

 

The present rateable value in the cases of Aston, Balsall Heath and Duddeston, does not take into account the final alterations to the premises, hence the important increases proposed, while in the case of Kings Heath, the proposed figure was intended for the new structures. As this will not be completed for some months, I could not agree to consider the matter and Mr Bewlay consented to let the present assessment stand until the new building is completed.

 

The premises which are in the nature of temporary accommodation, such as Bearwood, Summer Lane and Springfield, I did not argue upon, as we shall, before long, be dealing with these Branches in a permanent manner.

 

I recommend the Committee to confirm the agreed figures.

 

Revaluation of Bank Premises.

 

 

 

137     RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report be approved and that the General Committee be recommended to confirm the agreed figures shown in the Schedule.

 

General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 13th 1927

 

1191 The following communication from the General Committee was received as to the general question of the terms offered to the Bank by the Public Works and other Committees in regard to sites and premises.

 

Communications from the Estates Committee were received with reference to Tyseley Farm and land in Bristol Road and Hawkesley Mill Lane.

 

The Chairman stated that he had that morning discussed with the General Manager the question of them and other sites and he considered that the terms offered by other Committees in connection with the transfer of land etc to the Bank were in many cases unsatisfactory and that the whole question should receive careful consideration. With this object in view he had accordingly authorised the General Manager to prepare a complete statement showing the areas of land purchased by the Bank and the portion which they had actually been able to utilise after the requirement for public improvements etc had been complied with.

 

The Chairman also expressed the opinion that a conference should be arranged with representatives of the Public Works and Town Planning Committee to discuss the question of the terms offered in connection with land surrendered for public improvements.

 

2862. RESOLVED:- That the question be referred to the General Purposes Sub-Committee for consideration and report.

 

The General Manager stated that he was at present obtaining certain particulars with regard to the matter, and hoped to be in a position to report thereon at the next meeting.

 

1198 The Sub-Committee were informed that applications had been received from Mr Keyte and Mr Phillips (Architects) to be allowed to submit designs in connection with the building of branch premises and the General Manager was directed to record their names in case the Committee desired to make fresh arrangements in respect of this work.

 

General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 9th 1928

 

The General Manager stated that an application had been received from Mr De Lacy A'Herne asking to be allowed to carry out architectural work on behalf of the Bank, and the General Manager was directed to record his name for consideration in the event of any alterations being required in existing arrangements.

 

1216 The General Manager presented his annual report for the year ended 31st December, 1927, as follows:

 

Leaded Light Windows.

 

The introduction of this type of window in the earlier branch Bank alterations has not turned out satisfactory, and the type has been abandoned in later alterations. The dullness of these windows, arising from condensation, gives a bad impression from the outside, and I recommend that they be gradually replaced by the newer type of window, which gives satisfaction.

 

1224   RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be authorised to gradually replace the leaded light windows at certain branches by the type now adopted, which has proved satisfactory.

 

General Purposes Sub-Committee: February 13th 1928

 

Purchase of Land.

 

A letter was submitted from the City Treasurer asking to be furnished with particulars of land purchased by the Bank Committee as from 1922 to 1927 for the purpose of the Rating and Valuation Committee.

 

1242   RESOLVED:- That the request be complied with.

 

Finance Sub-Committee: February 13th 1928

 

Window Cleaning Arrangements.

 

Letters were submitted from the Clerk to the Officials' Advisory Committee stating that they had under consideration the question of window cleaning arrangements for the Corporation Departments. The General Manager stated that Contracts had been entered into for the cleaning of Edmund Street and Easy Row premises which involved the cleaning of glass and other parts of the interior of the Bank premises, and he did not consider it advisable that the arrangements should be disturbed; neither was it desirable that there should be any interference in the existing arrangements whereby each Branch made its own window cleaning arrangements.

 

179     RESOLVED:- That the Officials' Advisory Committee be informed that the Committee are quite satisfied with the existing arrangements so far as the Bank is concerned, and cannot consent to any alterations.

 

Bank Committee: February 20th 1928

 

2978 The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:

 

Availability to the Bank of land purchased for Branch Bank purposes.

 

By their Minute No 2862 your Committee directed the Sub-Committee to inquire into and report upon the position with regard to the land which has been purchased from time to time by the Bank, and the available use to which the Bank have been able to put such land, having regard to the requirements for road improvements etc.

 

On the instructions of your Sub-Committee the General Manager has had prepared a summary of the sites in question showing the area of land which has been or can be brought into effective use by the Bank, and the extent of the remainder which is not effective, and mainly due to the requirements of the Public Works Department.

 

The Public Works and Town Planning Committee are not desirous of purchasing this surplus land until such time as the road widening are carried out which may not happen for many years to come. There are several instances where the Bank in taking over sites already belonging to the Corporation have been required to purchase more land than they need for their own use, including land scheduled for widening purposes.

 

The General Manager has been directed to submit the Meeting of your Committee a statement showing area of the land in question and the value of the land which cannot be put to effective use, calculated on the purchase price paid by the Bank.

 

Your Sub-Committee recommend that the whole facts be placed before the General Purposes Committee of the Council, with a request that the Committee will consider the whole matter  and take such action as may be necessary to safeguard Committees of the Council purchasing land already under the control of the Corporation  from being charged for areas which, owing to the requirements for road widening purposes etc cannot be put to effective use; this Committee being of opinion that in such cases the Public Works and Town Planning Committee should be required to take over the land at the price paid by the particular Committee.

 

2981   RESOLVED:- That the attention of the General Purposes Committee be directed to the whole of the facts regarding land purchased by or transferred to the Bank be coming non-effective in view of the requirements for road widenings etc and that the Committee be requested to enquire into the matter and to take such action as may be necessary to safeguard Committees of the Council on acquiring land (either already under the control of the Corporation or from private vendors) from being charged for areas which, owing to the requirement for road widening etc cannot be put to effective use; this Committee being of opinion that in such cases the Public Works and Town Planning Committee should be required to purchase the land necessary for street improvements at the price paid by the particular Committee.

 

General Purposes Sub-Committee: May 14th 1928

 

1268 A letter was submitted from Messrs Selly Oak Balsall Heath Andrews & Son, Architects, and was referred to the General Manager for placing on the list of Architects who had made application for Bank work.

 

Finance Sub-Committee: May 14th 1928

 

The General Manager submitted the following report as to the rental of Bank flats and houses:

 

Rentals of Bank flats and houses.

The question of the rentals charged for bank flats has been thoroughly and carefully gone into, with a view to securing, if possible, the tenancies of these flats by bank officers or members of the Police force. The practice of letting these flats to outsiders at the best rent obtainable is far from satisfactory.

The accommodation has not been taken up by the bank staff because of the high rentals fixed, and the Police have declined offers of tenancy for exactly the same reason.

 

From a careful study of the lay-out of the premises, the size of rooms, the approach to the flat, etc. the General Manager is of opinion that the following rentals might be decided upon for the undermentioned flats and houses when occupied by bank officers or the Police.

 

WARD END	£25 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. No change to be made to present tenant who pays £24 per annum, etc
SALTLEY	£30 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. No change to be made to present tenant who pays £28 per annum, etc
HAY MILLS	£30 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. New tenant about to take up residence.
MOSELEY	£25 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. Present tenant's rental of £30 to be reduced.
BALSALL HEATH	£30 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. No change to be made to present tenant who pays £1 per week inclusive.
SPARKBROOK	£25 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. Present tenant's rental of £30 to be reduced.
NORTHFIELD	£30 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. No change to be made to present tenant who pays £28 per annum, etc.
LADYWOOD	12/6d per week inclusive. Present tenant paying that amount.
BIRCHFIELD	£35 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs. Present tenant's rental of £40 to be reduced.

 

With regard to Hall Green and Kings Heath flats, the accommodation is similar in both cases and the premises have been newly erected in each case. It is therefore recommended that the same rental should apply, viz £35 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs.

 

With regard to Sparkhill flat approaching completion, it is recommended that the rental should be the same as the Moseley flat, viz £25 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs, the accommodation being similar.

 

With regard to Alum Rock flats which are very small, it is recommended that each flat should be let at 12/6d per week inclusive.

 

With regard to Hockley flats one of which is about to become vacant, it is recommended that the rental be fixed at £30 per annum, plus rates and inside repairs.

 

It will be understood that the above rates should only apply to Bank officials or the Police, and that if let to any other person the rental should be the best obtainable.

 

203    RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the General Manager be approved, and that the terms suggested for renting the flats for occupation by Bank Officers, or police, be adopted, it being understood that where let to other persons the best rents possible should be obtained.

 

Finance Sub-Committee: June 11th 1928

 

212 The General Manager reported that an account had been received from the City Surveyor for the carrying out of architectural work etc on certain schemes carried out on behalf of the Bank. It was pointed out to the Sub-Committee that the charges in question were high in comparison with the charges made by outside architects, and the General Manager was directed to ask the City Surveyor for an explanation of the matter.

 

General Purposes Sub-Committee: June 11th 1928

 

1281 The General Manager stated that a letter has been received from Mr Norman Twist, Architect, asking to be allowed to act as Architect for the Bank when there was any such work to give out. It was decided to place the application with others already received.

 

The General Manager reported that Mr Councillor Spragg had visited certain branches with a view to ascertaining what painting and decorating was necessary.

 

1284  RESOLVED:- That the matter be left with the Chairman and General Manager, to determine which branches should be dealt with during the slack season of the painting trade; also that the General Manager be directed to approach the Education Department with a view to the painters employed by that Department being utilised for this work.

 

 

 

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