General Purposes Sub-Committee: June 8th 1931
On Minute No 1665 (Lighting of Branches) the following report of the General Manager was submitted:
Illuminated Signs at Branches.
The General Electric Co are hoping to fix a 30-ft. length of troughing at one of our branches during the course of next week. As soon as this is fixed, it would be desirable for Members of the Sub-Committee to inspect the same during the darker hours of the evening, in order to decide whether the experiment is satisfactory, and in order that prices may be obtained for carrying out such system of lighting in time for the next winter season.
1674 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report be approved and that the General Manager be instructed to test the proposed illumination experiment at the Aston Cross Branch and to arrange for the same to be inspected by members of the Sub-Committee at a convenient time.
The following report of the General Manager as to alterations in hours of business was received:
Alterations in Hours of Business.
At the meeting the General Purposes Sub-Committee held on the 13th April last, the question of altering the windows advertising the hours of business was considered, and the decision was reached that such windows should be taken out and windows substituted showing the key sign or the coat of arms, and that bronze plates giving the hours of business should be obtained and fixed to the stonework.
The Bank Committee at its meeting on the 20th April confirmed the above decision and directed me to obtain competitive tenders which a Chairman was authorised to deal with.
I have obtained tenders for dealing with 92 windows on the above lines as hereunder:
W
Pearce & E Cutler Ltd .... £350
O C Hawkes Ltd .... £309. 7. 7d.
Messrs Pearce & Cutler are prepared to allow 6d per super-foot for clear plate glass windows removed but cannot allow anything for leaded light windows. Messrs Hawkes are not prepared to make any allowance.
Tenders for Bronze Plates have been obtained as hereunder:
Bronamel Signs Ltd .... £264. 10. 0d net.
Charles Eades Ltd .... £238. 0. 0d net.
Any wood blocks which may be required would be extra in each case.
Taking the lowest tenders it would mean an expenditure of £300. 7. 7d and £238 = total £547. 7. 7d.
Having regard to these costs it occurs to me that the Committee might like to re-consider their decision, because the expenditure of £238 can be saved if the Committee would consent to new hours of business windows. The only reason for abolishing hours of business on the windows is the possibility of further change in the hours of business, but it should not be overlooked that any further change would equally affect the bronze plates. I think the change now decided upon is likely to apply for some considerable time, and if that is so the Committee may wish to save the expense of £238 referred to.
Although Messrs Hawkes Ltd are lower in price by £41, they have never done any work for the Bank, whereas Messrs Pearce & Cutler have supplied all our windows and are conversant with the different types of windows installed. Some Branches have single embossed windows; others double-glazed windows sealed with red lead and metallic binding; most windows are straight glass but a few are curved.
Messrs Hawkes say they could only do one Branch per day; Messrs Pearce & Cutler say they could do two Branches per day. As there would be 37 Branches to be dealt with it will be appreciated that the change would be a somewhat lengthy one, and this would apply equally if the windows were made to show the coat of arms or the Key. Until they are altered it will be necessary to cover the windows with a poster fixed on the outside setting forth the new hours of business. The work might be speeded up by Messrs Hawkes doing half the Branches and Messrs Pearce & Cutler the other half, but I am afraid the cost would be a little more if the job were so divided. A fresh quotation will be obtained after the Committee have reached a decision on the matter, and the quotation submitted to the Chairman in accordance with the Bank Committee minutes.
If bronze plates are decided upon I should advise the tender of Bronamel Signs being accepted, despite the fact that their price is a little higher. My reason for this advice is that we have tried several firms already but none of them have given as good work and service as Bronamel Signs. Further, in this particular matter, Bronamel Signs have visited every Branch and taken particulars, and from the queries they have raised it is evidently a difficult matter to find suitable places on the stonework at some of the Branches.
As regards leaded light windows, I advise the Committee to merely change the lettering on the panels for Friday and Saturday at the undermentioned Branches instead of having new windows:
Handsworth
Hockley
Ladywood
Lozells
Small Heath
My reason for this advice is that there are so many windows at each of the above Branches (except Ladywood) that it would be expensive to change over entirely to double-glazed windows. At Ladywood the four windows are on the curve.
After consideration of the report it was:
1681 RESOLVED:- That the suggestion in the foregoing report that the hours of business should be shown on the windows instead of upon separate bronze plates be adopted and that the General Manager be instructed to obtain new quotations for the substitution of embossed glass windows showing the hours of business at the whole of the Branches, with the exception of Handsworth, Hockley, Ladywood, Lozells and Small Heath Branches, at which Branches arrangements be made to change the lettering on the panels instead of having new windows; and also to ascertain from the tenderers the time required for carrying out the work; further, that upon receipt of such tenders the Chairman of the General Committee and the General Manager be authorised to accept a tender or tenders for the necessary work.
The General Manager reported that a communication had been received from the Salaries, Wages and Labour Committee as to the reduction in the rate of pay of women cleaners as from 1st July next of ¼d. per hour. In view of the special conditions applying to cleaning of Branches, it was: 1682 RESOLVED:- That no alteration be made in the existing rate of pay of women cleaners so far as the Bank Committee are concerned.
Bank Committee: June 15th 1931
The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:
Alterations arising out of change of hours of business.
Your Sub-Committee have considered quotations for altering the windows and the provision of bronze plates at the Branches consequent on the proposed alterations of hours of business. As a result of examining these quotations it would appear that a saving could be affected if the hours of business were shown on the windows instead of upon separate bronze plates as originally proposed.
The General Manager has been instructed to obtain amended quotations accordingly in respect of Branches where embossed glass windows are fixed, and for altering the panels in leaded light windows at Handsworth, Hockley, Ladywood, Lozells and Small Heath Branches; also to ascertain from the firms concerned the time required for carrying out the work. Your Sub-Committee recommend that the Chairman of the General Committee and the General Manager be authorised to accept a tender or tenders for the work.
With reference to the paragraph in the foregoing report relative to alterations arising out of change of hours of business, the following report of the General Manager was received:
Windows and Hours of Business.
Tenders have been obtained from Messrs Wm Pearce & E Cutler Ltd and Messrs C C Hawkes, Ltd for supplying 64 double-glazed windows, with hours of business lettered in black, to replace existing windows at 26 branches; also, for 7 single-embossed windows, with the lettering announcing the hours of business burnt in, to replace existing windows at 3 branches; also, for 22 double-glazed windows with the hours of business lettered in black, to replace leaded-light windows at 7 branches; and for altering 28 panels in leaded-light windows relating to Friday and Saturday hours of business. Messrs Pearce & Cutler quote a total figure of £467. 16. 0. and state that it would take at least three months to complete the work. Messrs Hawkes Limited quote £320. 2. 5, less 2½ per cent for cash, for the whole of the work, and state that it would take about four weeks to execute it.
Neither firm are prepared to make an allowance for the leaded-light windows, or the glazed and embossed windows replaced, but Messrs Hawkes Limited have stated verbally that if they are able to take out the plate-glass section of the double-glazed windows without damage, and are able to make use of same in other directions, they will be prepared to make some small allowance.
The Chairman has directed that the tender of Messrs Hawkes Limited shall be accepted.
After consideration of which it was:
4121 RESOLVED:- That the proposals of the General Purposes Sub-Committee as indicated in their report, for the alterations of the windows at branches consequent upon the change of the hours of business and for dispensing with the proposed bronze plates, be approved, and that the tender of Messrs O C Hawkes Limited at the sum of £320. 2. 5. (less 2½% for cash) for the carrying out of the whole of the work, as indicated in the General Manager's report, be accepted; also, that Minute No 4047 be discharged.
4122 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee, as amended, be approved.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 13th 1931
On Minute No 1681 (Alteration of windows at Branches) the Sub-Committee were informed that the tender of Mr O C Hawkes at the sum of £320. 2. 5 (less 2½% for cash) for the carrying out of the work had been accepted, and that the work was in hand.
1695 RESOLVED:- That the action above referred to be confirmed.
1698 The General Manager referred to a letter received from the Town Clerk from the Ministry of Health expressing strong opinion that tenders should be obtained by public advertising which was the usual course adopted in regard to Bank Contracts.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 12th 1931
On Minutes Nos 1665 and 1674 (Outside lighting of branches), the following report of the General Manager was received:
Outside Lighting of Branches
Experiments have been made at Aston Cross Branch by the General Electric Company in the way of "Neon" lighting and flood-lighting, and members of the Bank Committee have inspected the same on two occasions.
On the last occasion (September 28th) the members were satisfied with both types of lighting, and decided to retain the same at the Aston Cross Branch.
The cost of the "Neon" lighting to the single-sided Key sign is £43, and the consumption of electric current is stated to be ¼ unit per hour. The charge for current will be 2¼d per unit.
The cost of the flood-lighting so as to show up the lettering on the stone front is £23. 5. 0. net, plus 30 lamps at 4/- each, less 21% - £4. 14. 10d, or a total of £27. 19. 10d. The lamps are 220 volts, 30 watts, and the consumption of electric current is stated to be nine-tenths of a unit per hour. The charge for current will be 2¼d per hour.
It is recommended that the Key sign should be illuminated daily from one hour after sunset to 11:30pm and that the flood-lighting should be on from 6 to 8pm on Mondays and Friday evenings only. The cost of a time switch to regulate the "Neon" lighting, and the cost of coupling the two circuits of lights to the Key sign so as to be operated by the one switch, will be £12. 13. 0d.
With regard to other branches, the Chairman is of opinion that each branch should be inspected and a decision reached on the spot as to whether it is desirable to have "Neon" lighting to the Key sign only, or whether to have flood-lighting to the stone front in addition. In the majority of cases it is felt that "Neon" lighting to the Key sign will be sufficient. The Chairman is prepared to make these nightly inspections, and will submit his recommendations in respect of each branch.
For "Neon" lighting the cost will vary in respect of each branch according to whether there is direct current supply or alternating current supply, and whether the Key sign is single-sided or double-sided. The quotations are as follows:
Alternating current supply:
Single-sided sign .... £24. 10. 0.
Double-sided sign .. £36. 0. 0.
Direct current supply:
Single-sided sign .... £39. 0. 0.
Double-sided sign .. £53. 0. 0.
plus £4 (approx.) for L.T. wiring.
The cost of flood-lighting will also vary according to the length of the stone facia, and is therefore quoted @ 13/6d per foot of troughing, exclusive of lamps, and the lamps are 4/-d each, less 2½%.
When the Chairman's recommendations are received in respect of each branch, the General Electric Company will be asked to give a definite quotation so that the Committee may have the whole of the information before them.
1709 RESOLVED:-
(1) That the foregoing report be approved:
(2) That the General Committee be recommended to approve of the expenditure incurred in respect of outside lighting of the Aston Cross and to agree to the suggestion of the Chairman of the General Committee that he should visit each daily branch and submit his recommendations as to the lighting of individual Branches so as to enable the Sub-Committee to decide on the steps to be taken; and
Finance Sub-Committee : October 12th 1931
595 An application from Messrs Arnold & Sons Limited, to be allowed to tender in respect of bank premises was received, but no action was taken in the matter.
Bank Committee: October 19th 1931
4197 The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:
Outside lighting of Branches.
Your Sub-Committee have viewed the experiments at Aston Cross Branch with "Neon" Lighting and Flood Lighting. They regard the demonstrations of both types of lighting as satisfactory and recommend the retention of both installations.
The cost of "Neon" lighting to the single sided key sign at this Branch is £43 and the consumption of electric current is stated to be one-quarter unit per hour, for which the charge of 2¼d. per unit will apply. The cost of the Flood lighting so as to show up the lettering on the stone front at this Branch, including thirty lamps, is £27. 19. 10. The lamps are 220 volts, 30 watts, and the consumption of electric current is stated to be 9/10th of a unit per hour for which the charge of 2¼d. per unit will apply.
Your Sub-Committee have accepted the offer of the Chairman of your Committee with the General Manager to furnish reports and recommendations as to outside lighting arrangements at other Branches of the Bank, particulars of which will be supplied from time to time.
It is recommended that the action taken in the matter be approved.
4208 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee be approved.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 14th 1931
1717 The Sub-Committee were informed that the Chairman of the General Committee and Alderman Sir Percival Bower, with the General Manager, had inspected all the Branches, and indicates their recommendations for the outside lighting at each Branch. The recommendations and cost of same would be submitted at a later meeting.