Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: November 19th 1920
The Manager presented the following report:
Tenancy of
157 Dudley Road,
On the instructions of the Chairman of this Committee the rental payable by this tenant has been fixed at 8/-d per week plus a proportion of rates.
348 RESOLVED:- That the terms arranged for the rental of 157 Dudley Road and 117 Great Lister Street be confirmed.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 13th 1920
On Minute No 354 the Manager presented the following Report:
HEATING & LIGHTING OF BRANCHES.
This matter has been carefully looked into by the Chairman, Councillors Gelling and Ward, who have visited the various branches. The position is summarised below with the recommendations:
Rotton Park.
These premises, while not being so cold as others by construction are too cold for work to be carried on with the door open. The door opens within a yard of the counter. It is recommended that the door be brought to the front, and a vestibule arranged at a cost of £26. 10. 0d, also that a gas radiator be substituted for electric radiator.
From the foregoing
it will be seen that the general conclusions arrived at are:
1. That electric heating is not a satisfactory method, having regard to
the nature of the business.
2. That it is necessary to give the impression that the Bank is open during business hours, and to do this
the outer door should be opened and vestibules arranged.
3. That where the premises are only in the nature of temporary premises or are otherwise fairly satisfactorily heated, additional warmth should be procured by oil stoves.
A statement was submitted showing the comparative costs of electric lighting and heating and gas, and while it was found that during the Christmas and Lady Day quarters last year the electric lighting and heating cost £26 at Sparkbrook and £21 at Lozells, gas lighting and heating at Duddeston and Saltley combined only worked out at £3. 14. 0d. The hours of business at these branches during the periods taken were the same.
The electric wires and fittings are on the hire purchase system, the installation becoming the property of the Bank at the expiration of 3 years.
The electric radiators are on the permanent hire system, and the agreements are for 3 years. It is recommended that the Electric Supply Department be asked to content to the cancellation of the agreements in the cases where it is advisable to substitute gas heating.
The gas radiators (except in the cases of Aston Cross and Bearwood) are on the permanent hire system and the agreement are for 2 years. It is recommended that Gas Department be asked to consent to the cancellation of the agreements in the cases now on the permanent hire system, and to substitute fresh agreements on the hire purchase system.
367 RESOLVED:- That the
Report be approved and the General Committee recommended to adopt the recommendations therein contained.
Bank Committee: December 20th 1920
On Minute No 537, the following Report of the Town Clerk was presented:
I have to report that in accordance with the above Minute I have completed the Leases to Messrs C J Watkins & Co and Mrs Lydia Watkins respectively of the premises 155 and 159 Dudley Road.
RESOLVED:- That Minute No 537 be discharged.
Bank Committee: September 19th 1921
909 RESOLVED:- That the application of Mr Watkins with reference to No 159, Dudley Road, be referred to the Special Meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee to be held on Thursday next, to consider the same in conjunction with a report received from Mr Frank Wilde, and that the Sub-Committee be empowered to take such action as they may think desirable in the matter.
910 RESOLVED:- That the action of the Chairman in regard to the communication from Messrs Restall Round & Co, in connection with the Dudley Road premises be approved.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: September 22nd 1921
The following Minute of the General Committee was received:
909 RESOLVED:- That the application of Mr Watkins with reference to No 159 Dudley Road, be referred to the Special Meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Sub-Committee to be held on Thursday next, to consider the same in conjunction with a report received from Mr Frank Wilde and that the Sub-Committee be empowered to take such action as they may think desirable in the matter.
The following report from Mr Wilde on the matter was read and he also attended and expressed his views:
In accordance with your instructions I have attended at Dudley Road, and discussed with Mrs Watkins' son the question of the extension of the Lease of No 159 for a further term of seven years from June 24th 1923 in consideration of his surrendering the Lease of No 155 which expires in June 1923.
I beg to report that the frontage of this Freehold Property is made up as follows:
No 155 Stationer's Shop 14' 6" No 157 Bank 16' 0" - Entry 3' 6" No 159 Milliner's Shop 15' 6" Total Frontage 49' 6"
Unless there is urgent need for the enlargement of the Bank premises I do not recommend the extension of the Leases asked for.
In the event, however, of your requiring more space, and, also, providing you are satisfied that the additional frontage of 14' 6" will meet your requirements for the next ten years, I see no objection to the extension of the Lease of No 159, but in such circumstances I consider the Rent of the Milliner's Shop, after June 1923, should be increased to £50 - 0 - 0 per annum.
I would also point out that if there is any likelihood of the two shops being adequate for your purpose, it would be simpler to make the necessary alterations by connecting No 155 with No 157, having regard to the fact that the Entry giving access to the rear of the three shops is constructed between Nos 157 & 159.
In arriving at any decision your Committee must not lose sight of the rights of the "Tenant for Life" to certain portions of No 155, as failing an arrangement with her, it is impossible to make an extension at the rear of the existing front room of No 155.
A further point for consideration is, that by agreeing to the extension of the Lease of No 159 you will immediately obtain possession of the greater portion of No 155, thus allowing at once for limited increased accommodation for the Bank. On the other hand, should the Rent Act be extended after 1923, there is a remote possibility of your experiencing difficulty in obtaining possession of either, or both, the adjoining shops, if at the time they could be legally construed to be Dwelling Houses in addition.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Wilde
(September 16th 1921)
497 RESOLVED:- That the application of Mr Watkins for his lease to be extended in regard to No 159 Dudley Road, be not acceded to.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: September 22nd 1921
The Manager reported the receipt of a communication from Messrs J & L Lea & Sons as to premises Nos 464 and 466 Dudley Road.
499 RESOLVED:- That the Chairman and Manager be requested to inspect the premises in question and report as to their suitability for Branch Bank purposes.
Bank Committee: October 3rd 1921
The Manager reported that an application had been received from Mr Watkins to assign his lease of No 155, Dudley Road to another party.
919 RESOLVED:- That, subject to the Chairman and Manager being satisfied with the suitability of the proposed assignee (Mr A E Tonks) the application of Mr Watkins be acceded to.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 10th 1921
On Minute No 499, the Sub-Committee were informed that the Chairman and Manager had inspected the premises 464 and 466 Dudley Road, but did not consider the same suitable for Bank purposes.
512 RESOLVED:- That no further action be taken in the matter.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 10th 1921
533 RESOLVED:- That the action of Mr Councillor Appleby in having certain outside repairs effected at No 159 Dudley Road be approved, and that the question of dealing with the necessary repairs at No 155 Dudley Road be referred to the Chairman and Manager.
Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 12th 1921
On Minute 533 (Repairs, 155 Dudley Road) the Manager reported as follows:
Repairs to 155 Dudley Road.
The Chairman and Manager have dealt with the necessary repairs to these premises, which were caused by a small portion of the attic roof having given way.
550 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 533 (Repairs Dudley Road premises) be discharged and the actions taken confirmed.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 9th 1922
Rotton Park Premises.
Complaint is made of the inadequacy of the lavatory accommodation to the Rotton Park premises. There are three shops and houses in this property, and only lavatory accommodation provided for two of the shops and houses. There are certain difficulties attached to this matter which were the subject of a special visit to the premises by Alderman Lovsey and Councillor Getting, and the Manager suggests that the matter be referred to them and himself with power to act in this matter.
22 RESOLVED:- That the question of lavatory accommodation at the Rotton Park Branch be referred to the Chairman, Councillor Gelling and the Manager, with power to take such action as they may consider desirable.
Finance Sub-Committee: January 16th 1922
Repayment of Purchase Money to Housing and Estates Committee.
It will be remembered that in the early stages of the Bank the necessary money required to purchase premises for the purpose of Branch Banks was found by the Housing and Estates Committee on behalf of the Bank, it being understood that when the Bank was in a position to repay the amount thus found steps would be taken to meet this liability. Interest is being charged on the amount outstanding at 6%. The Bank have already repaid the sum of £1,818 in respect of the purchase of premises at Sparkbrook, but there remains a sum of £6,634. 13. 7d. owing to the Housing and Estates Committee for other purchases at Aston, Kings Heath, Duddeston, Ladywood and Rotton Park.
Your Sub-Committee have carefully considered this matter, and they recommend that the amount at present owing to the Housing and Estates Committee should be repaid, and that the Committee's thanks be conveyed to them for their assistance in the matter.
Bank Committee: January 16th 1922
1036 RESOLVED:- That payment be made to the Housing and Estates Committee of the sum due to them in respect of the acquisition of Branch Bank premises amounting to £6,634. 13. 7d and that the best thanks of this Committee be conveyed to them for their assistance in the matter.
Report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee: February 20th 1922
Lavatory Accommodation - Rotton Park Branch.
Certain necessary alterations were required in connection with the above and the tender of Mr L G Jones for the carrying out of the work at the sum of £15. 12. 6. has been accepted.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: May 8th 1922
The Manager reported that the tenant of 159, Dudley Road, had again made application for an extension of his lease and in consideration of this application being granted, he indicated that arrangements might be made for possession to be obtained by the Bank of the premises on the other side of the branch, namely, 155, Dudley Road, at the expiration of the present lease.
103 RESOLVED:- That the Chairman, Mr Councillor Gelling and the Manager be requested to go into the matter and report their recommendations thereon in due course.