Bank Committee: October 20th 1924
On Minute No 1811, the Town Clerk presented the following report as to the sale of premises No 407, Witton Road, Aston:
July 31st 1924
Minute No 1811
I have to report upon the above Minute that the Conveyance to Mr Edwin Smith of the premises No 407 Witton Road, Aston for the sum of £900 has been completed.
1863 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 1811 be discharged.
1868 The following report of the Finance Sub-Committee was presented:
Repairs to Witton Premises.
Possession of one of the houses purchased by the Bank in Witton Lane has now been secured, and the tender of Mr Richard Hunt for the repair and decoration of the premises at the sum of £53 has been accepted, and the work is proceeding. It is intended that the front room shall be used for the purposes of the Bank, and that the branch shall be opened shortly on Monday and Saturday evenings from 6pm to 8pm.
1869 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 1829 (alterations, 228, Witton Lane) be discharged.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 8th 1924
On Minute No 596, the Sub-Committee were informed that the necessary repairs had been carried out at Witton Lane, and the Branch was now open for two evenings a week.
613 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 596 be discharged.
Finance Sub-Committee: December 8th 1924
The General Manager reported that Mr Frank Wilde had advised that the rental of the dwelling accommodation at premises No 226, Witton Lane, should be fixed at 9/6d. per week inclusive of rates.
296 RESOLVED:-
That the General Manager be instructed to arrange for the premises to be let on the terms mentioned.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 13th 1925
The General Manager drew attention to the progress which had been made at Witton, and he was directed to instruct Mr Wilde to endeavour to obtain alternative accommodation for the present tenant.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: February 8th 1926
On Minute No 781 (Alternative accommodation - Witton) the General Manager stated that alternative accommodation had not yet been found for the tenant of these premises, but that it might be possible to accommodate him at Aston Cross when the alterations were finished.
864 RESOLVED:- That the question be deferred and that the General Manager be asked to
endeavour to secure a suitable vacant site in the vicinity of the Witton premises on which a temporary building can be erected to
meet the Bank requirements.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: March 8th 1926
On Minutes Nos 781/864 (Witton premises) the
General Manager was directed to take such steps as may be desirable for obtaining alternative accommodation for the tenant of No 228,
Witton Lane, (if deemed desirable at the flat at the Aston Cross premises) in order that arrangements may be made at the earliest
opportunity for the required demolition and reconstruction at Witton.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: April 12th 1926
On Minutes Nos 781/864 and 883 (premises at Witton) the General Manager reported that it had not yet been possible to obtain possession of the living accommodation, and in view of the urgent necessity of obtaining full possession of the property in order that the rebuilding scheme can be carried out, it was considered necessary that in order that vacant possession may be obtained authority should be given for suitably recompensing the tenant.
907 RESOLVED:- That the Chairman and Councillor Appleby with the
General Manager be authorised to arrange suitable terms with the tenant in consideration of vacant possession being given of the premises.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: May 10th 1926
932 On Minute No 907 (Witton Premises), the General Manager stated that he was in touch
with the Tramways Department with reference to the possible use of a site in the vicinity owned by the Tramways Committee.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: May 31st 1926
950 On Minute No 932 (Witton premises) the General Manager stated that he was in communication
with the General Manager of the Tramways Department on the subject of providing accommodation, and the Minute was continued.
Bank Committee: October 4th 1926
The General Manager reported that on the instructions of the Chairman he had made an offer of £100 for vacant possession to be given to the tenant of the house and shop No 226 Witton Lane, but that the tenant's solicitors (Messrs Bailey, Cox & Co) had stated that their client was holding out for £150. The solicitors thought, however, that they might be able to induce their client to accept £125, but failing this their client had intimated that he would not give up possession. After consideration it was:
2450 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be authorised to offer £125 on vacant possession being given of
the house and shop No 226 Witton Lane and on the understanding that the Bank should not be charged any legal costs in connection with
the matter.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 11th 1926
On Minute No 907 (Possession of Witton Premises), the General
Manager stated that on the authority of the full Committee the tenant's Solicitors had been offered the sum of £125 for vacant possession
of the property on the understanding that each party should bear their own costs. The Solicitors stated, however, that their client
had refused to accept the offer unless the legal costs were paid by the Bank. The General Manager stated that the matter could probably
be settled by payment of a sum of two and a half guineas.
Bank Committee: October 18th 1926
2473 The Following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:
Possession of Witton Premises
Your Sub-Committee report that on the instructions given by your Committee at their meeting on the 4th October last, Messrs Bailey, Cox and Company, the Solicitors acting for the tenant of No 226 Witton Lane, were offered the sum of £125 for vacant possession of the property. The Solicitors state, however, that their client refuses to accept the offer unless the legal costs are paid by the Bank. Your Sub-Committee understand that the Solicitors in question have gone to considerable trouble in order to reach a settlement, and while it is not considered that the costs should be charged to the Bank, the Sub-Committee do not think that a small amount should stand in the way of a settlement. They have therefore instructed the General Manager to close the matter by undertaking to pay 2½ guineas towards such costs.
2474 RESOLVED:- That the action of the General Purposes Sub-Committee in agreeing to pay 2½ guineas towards the costs of the Solicitors acting for the tenant of No 226, Witton Lane be confirmed, and that the instructions contained in Minute No 2450 amended accordingly.
989 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be authorised to make a payment of two and a half guineas in respect of the tenant's solicitors'
charges in connection with securing possession of the premises No 228, Witton Lane.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 13th 1926
On Minutes Nos 907 and 989 (Witton Branch) the General Manager reported that one of the tenants had now vacated the premises, but that the tenant of the shop and dwellinghouse who was due to leave on the 30th November had not yet done so, although the Solicitor acting in the case continually promised to give vacant possession. The General Manager had therefore asked the City Surveyor to assist him in obtaining possession, so that the preparation of plans for dealing with the property could be proceeded with. The General Manager stated that in view of the intention to demolish the existing premises and to rebuild, he was making arrangements to obtain temporary premises to carry on the business of the Branch.
1013 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager's action
in the matter be approved, and that he be authorised to take any further necessary steps to secure vacant possession.
Bank Committee: December 20th 1926
On Minutes Nos 2450 and 2474 (possession of Witton Lane premises) the General Manager presented the following report:
The General Purposes Sub-Committee, at their Meeting last Monday, were informed that the dwelling accommodation at No 228 Witton Lane was now vacant, and that the tenant of the shop and dwelling house No 226 Witton Lane should have given possession on the 30th November. The Solicitor acting in the case had promised vacant possession, but the promise had not yet been fulfilled.
The City Surveyor had been asked to assist the General Manager to obtain possession, in order that the question of dealing with this property could proceed.
The Committee will remember that at the time the purchase was effected, the property was not regarded as suitable for adaption for the purposes of a Daily Bank, but the site was considered to be one of the best in Witton. It was intended that when the Branch had been developed to such an extent as would justify opening a Daily Bank, the present buildings should be demolished and a new Bank erected.
As early possession of the shop and dwelling house is probable, temporary premises have been provisionally engaged in which to carry on the work of the Evening Branch until the new Daily Bank is ready.
With a view to avoiding any further delay, the Bank Committee is asked to approve the proposals, in order that steps may be taken to prepare plans and obtain tenders for the necessary work.
2528 RESOLVED:- That the proposals for the demolition of the existing buildings at 226 and 228 Witton Lane and for the erection of new premises on the site as outlined in the foregoing report of the General Manager be approved, and that the General Manager be instructed to have plans prepared for submission to the General Purposes Sub-Committee with a view to tenders being obtained for the carrying out of the work; also that the engagement of temporary premises for the carrying on of the evening branch in the meantime be approved.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 10th 1927
Report by the General Manager:
Alterations to Witton Premises
Since the last meeting of the Bank Committee, the City Surveyor has examined the present building, and has submitted a proposal for making structural alterations to the premises, instead of pulling same down and rebuilding; and after going fully into the matter, the Chairman approved of the proposed alterations.
There is an important street
widening at this point which would take away the major portion of the building, and if demolition took place the Bank would have to
set back to the new building line, and it is doubtful whether a satisfactory Bank could be accommodated on the land which remained.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 17th 1927
Alterations to Witton Premises.
Your Sub-Committee have approved a proposed adaption
of the premises to Branch bank requirements, and have authorised that tenders be invited for the carrying out of the work.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: February 14th 1927
1044 On Minute No 989 and 1035 (Witton Premises - Obtaining of Tenders) - the Sub-Committee considered the desirability of obtaining tenders from selected firms instead of advertising for tenders as is the practice at the present time. The Sub-Committee were informed that the former course had been adopted by several Departments of the Corporation. Further, consideration of the policy to be adopted in this matter was deferred in view of the fact that the principle was receiving the consideration of the General Purposes Committee of the City Council.
The General Manager was authorised to advertise for tenders in respect
of the Witton alterations as usual, and stated that he proposed to issue the same during the week.
Bank Committee: March 21st 1927
The Committee proceeded to consider the following tenders which had been received for alterations to the Witton premises
(Nos 226-8 Witton Lane):
|
Name of Tenderer. |
Amount of Tender. (£) |
|
Mr G Mobbs, Small Heath |
2,457 |
|
Mr E M Squire, Saltley |
2,750 |
|
Messrs J
T Harris, Ltd, Sparkhill |
2,490 |
|
Messrs W & J Webb, Gt King Street |
2,469 |
|
Messrs John Dallow & Sons |
2,565 |
|
Mr J Emlyn Williams, Aston |
2,597 |
|
Messrs
F C Price (Builders) Ltd, Erdington |
2,598 |
|
Mr T Johnson, Great Brook Street |
2,591 |
|
Mr F J Briley, Hay Mills |
2,595 |
|
Messrs S F Swift & Sons
Ltd, Deritend |
2,649 |
|
Messrs Parsons & Morris, Belgrave Road |
2,539 |
|
Messrs W Sapcote & Sons, Colmore Street |
2,673 |
2641 RESOLVED:- That subject to satisfactory assurances being given as to the time for completing the work, the tender of Messrs W &
J Webb at the sum of £2,469 for the carrying out of the alterations to the Witton premises at Nos 226 and 228 Witton Lane, be accepted,
and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare the necessary Contract and to affix the Corporate Seal thereto.
Bank Committee: April 25th 1927
2655 On Minute No 2641 (alterations to 226/228 Witton Lane), the General Manager reported that the
plan of the alterations at these premises had now been approved and passed by the Public Works and Town Planning Committee, and that
the work could therefore be commenced.
Report of the Town Clerk: June 17th 1927
Alterations to premises in Witton Lane.
I
beg to report that I have prepared completed and affixed the Corporate Seal to a Contract with W & J Webb in respect of the carrying
out of alterations and additions at Nos 226 and 228 Witton Lane to convert the same for use as a branch of the Birmingham Municipal
Bank.