Bank Committee: November 28th 1923
On Minute No 1576, the General Manager presented the following report as to negotiations with reference to property No 684, Washwood Heath Road, Ward End:
No 684 Washwood Heath Road, Ward End.
Mr Wilde has been in negotiation with the owner of the above leasehold premises, and now furnishes a report showing the premises to be a double-fronted house with timber erected shed adjoining the property. It is in a good market position on the Washwood Heath Road, and has a frontage of 55'6". On the ground floor there is a small hall, a front room on either side of the hall, one of which is 13' by 13', and the other 12' by 13', with kitchen at rear. There are also three bedrooms. There is a covered-in gateway entrance which forms a motor-house at the side of the main building, and in the rear there is a store shed, the usual outbuildings, and brickbuilt stables which have been converted and used in connection with a Mineral Water Manufactory.
The property is in the occupation of The Deep Rock Mineral Water Company at a yearly rental of £52, tenant paying rates and being responsible for repairs.
The fact that the premises are not occupied for dwelling purposes excludes them from the Rent Restriction Act, but the terms of tenancy would allow the tenancy to be determined by six months' notice, expiring Ladyday or Christmas. This would mean that entire vacant possession could not be obtained until Christmas 1924.
The property is leasehold with 75 years unexpired, is subject to a ground rent of £5 per annum, and is in a very fair state of repair. The property is valued at £1000, and the purchase price has been agreed at £1100 subject to confirmation by the Committee.
The owner of these premises is also the owner of the premises at present used by the Bank at No 674 Washwood Heath Road, and if completion is effected he would be prepared to grant a surrender of the existing lease which has twelve years to run.
Having regard to the fact that the present premises would not admit of structural alterations to provide for the development of this Branch, the General Manager is of opinion that the Committee should purchase the premises now offered to the Bank, and as he does not consider this Branch would be suitable for opening out as a Daily Branch for some time he sees no objection to the purchase taking place with a view to possession at Christmas 1924.
1581 RESOLVED:- That the foregoing report of the General Manager be approved, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to complete the purchase of the leasehold property therein referred to (No 684, Washwood Heath Road, Ward End) at the sum of £1100, subject to the approval of the City Council, and to prepare and affix the Corporate Seal to any necessary documents in the matter.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 14th 1924
The following report of the Town Clerk was presented with reference to property No 684 Washwood Heath Road.
January 12th 1924
Jones to the Corporation.
684,
Washwood Heath Road.
I have to report that in accordance with your instructions I approached Mr Jones's Solicitors some time ago with a request for the usual papers in this matter.
It appears that one of the terms of the Lease under which the property is held is that the premises shall be used for a private dwellinghouse and for no other purpose. I am sure that a number of the properties in the immediate neighbourhood are now used as retail shops, and it may well be that the difficulty is not a substantial one.
However, during the discussion on this point of detail, the Vendor's Solicitors have intimated that for the time being the negotiations with the Corporation must remain in abeyance. I am under the impression that the Vendor is negotiating for the purchase of the ground rent on this and his adjoining property, and that as soon as this has been arranged, the matter will probably be re-opened. Unless, therefore, your Committee have other premises in view, it may perhaps be well to let this matter rest for a short while.
462 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be instructed to make enquiries regarding other property in the vicinity with a view to an equally suitable location for premises being secured, in the event of the present proposal falling through, or being no longer considered desirable.
Bank Committee: January 21st 1924
On Minute No 1581 the following report of the Town Clerk was received with reference to the position as regards the proposed purchase of property No 684, Washwood Heath Road:
January 19th 1924
Jones
to the Corporation.
684, Washwood Heath Road.
Further to my report of the 12th instant, I have now received from the Vendor's Solicitors a definite statement of their client's position.
Mr Jones is prepared to grant to the Corporation an Underlease of the above premises for the sum of £1,000 at an annual ground rent of £4. 19. 6. the Corporation to give an indemnity against any costs, damages or expenses arising from any breach of the covenants in the Head Lease. As your Committee are aware, the Head Lease contains a covenant not to build or suffer to be built any buildings other than private dwellinghouses with outbuildings thereto, and not to use or permit the same to be used except as private dwellinghouses.
The Lease was granted in 1898, and it may be that in view of the altered character of the neighbourhood this covenant has been regarded as obsolete. The provision is, however, still on foot and it is for your Committee to consider whether in these circumstances they are prepared to give the indemnity required by the Vendor. It may be regarded as unlikely that he will be prepared to sell on any other condition.
I shall be glad to receive your Committee's instructions.
1622 RESOLVED:- That the matter be referred to the General Purposes Sub-Committee with instructions to consider the desirability or otherwise of proceeding with the purchase referred to.
Bank Committee: January 29th 1924
With reference to Minute No 1581 (Proposed purchase of 684, Washwood Heath Road) the Committee were informed that in regard to the covenant in the lease to the effect that the premises should be used for private dwellinghouse, certain information had been furnished by Mr Frank Wilde which showed that a large number of properties on the same Estate, and which were subject to a similar condition, were utilised for shopping purposes. The Committee were informed that there appeared very little risk in acquiring the property for Bank purposes on the terms of the lease, and it was accordingly:
1657 RESOLVED:- That the Town Clerk be instructed to proceed in accordance with Minute No 1581.
Bank report to the City Council: March 4th 1924
PURCHASE OF PREMISES AT WARD END.
The Ward End Evening Branch is at present located at premises No 674, Washwood Heath Road, which are leased to the Bank for a period expiring in 1934. The premises consist of a small dwelling house with front room converted into a banking office, and even if the property could be purchased these premises alone are not large enough to justify the expense of alterations; but in any event it appears that neither they nor the adjoining premises can be purchased.
An opportunity has, however, presented itself of acquiring premises situate at No 684, Washwood Heath Road, which will meet the needs of the Bank in this district. The Plan "B" attached to this report indicates by pink colouring the position of the property in question, which comprises a double-fronted house with two rooms. Adjoining the main building is an enclosed and covered-in gateway forming a motor house. The premises are at present occupied by The Deep Rock Mineral Water Co, on a half-yearly tenancy determinable at Lady Day or Christmas in any year, the annual rental being £52, tenants paying rates and being responsible for repairs.
The property, which is leasehold for a term having 75 years unexpired, and is subject to a ground rent of £5 per annum, is owned by the Lessor of the present Bank premises, who, in the event of purchase by the Bank, would be prepared to grant a surrender of the present lease of No 674, Washwood Heath Road.
Your Committee are desirous of taking advantage of this opportunity of acquiring the property, possession of which could be secured by Christmas, 1924, and, having regard to the building developments in this area and the encouraging progress which the evening Branch has already made, they consider that the acquisition would be amply justified by results.
After having consulted a Valuer, and considered his opinion, your Committee have confidence in recommending that this property should be acquired at the price of £1,000, and, in accordance with Bank Rule No 10, they ask that the consent of the Council be given to the purchase, the cost of which will be defrayed out of the funds of the Bank.
Bank Committee: March 17th 1924
1685 The following Minute of the City Council passed on presentation of the Committee's report on March 4th last were received:
It was moved by Mr Councillor Appleby, seconded, and Resolved:
Bank Committee: April 28th 1924
On Minute Nos 1581 and 1657, the following report of the Town Clerk with reference to the purchase of 684, Washwood Heath Road, was presented:
March 26th 1924
Jones to the Corporation.
684, Washwood Heath Road.
I have to report that the purchase of the above property has now been completed in accordance with your instructions.
The property is let to Mr H W Capenhurst at a yearly rent of £50 on an annual tenancy determinable by six calendar months' notice expiring at Christmas or March.
I have made the following payments:
Purchase
Money £1000. 0. 0. Less deposit £100. 0. 0. £900. 0. 0. Stamp Duty £10. 6. 0.
1721 RESOLVED:- That the report be approved and that the Town Clerk be instructed to give notice to terminate the tenancy of the premises at Christmas next.
General Purposes Sub-Committee June 2nd 1924
The following communication from the General Committee was presented as to notice to quit being given to the tenant of No 684, Washwood Heath Road.
1750. RESOLVED:- That Minute No 1721 be discharged, and that the General Purposes Sub-Committee be instructed to arrange for a plan to be prepared and tenders obtained for the required alterations at these premises.
555 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be directed to instruct Mr McMichael to submit a plan showing his proposals for converting the premises to branch bank requirements.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 14th 1924
On Minute No 555 (684, Washwood Heath Road) the General Manager reported that there was no prospect of possession being obtained of these premises until Christmas next.
567 RESOLVED:- That Minute No 555 be placed in the Deferred Minute Book.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 8th 1924
With reference to premises 674, Washwood Heath Road, at present used as an evening Branch, and leased to the Bank for 14 years at the rate of £42 per annum, the General Manager stated the owner had put forward the suggestion that the Bank should surrender the lease as from December next, in consideration of which he would find Bank accommodation until such time as new buildings are ready, The Owner further stated he had bought the freehold interest of 684, Washwood Heath Road, which he was prepared to sell at the price of £450 to £500.
625 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be directed to instruct Mr Frank Wilde to ascertain if the freehold of the property referred to can be acquired at a reasonable figure, and whether terms can be arranged as regards the present Bank.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 12th 1925
On Minute No 625 (freehold 684, Washwood Heath Road) the Sub-Committee were informed that nothing had transpired with regard to the purchase of the freehold. The Sub-Committee were also informed that the tenants of the premises had not yet vacated the same, although the period of the notice to quit had expired.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: February 9th 1925
670 On Minute 642 (684, Washwood Heath Road) - the General Manager stated that he had interviewed the Solicitors to the tenants of 684, Washwood Heath Road, and possession thereof had been promised for an early date.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: March 9th 1925
On Minutes Nos 642 and 670 (684, Washwood Heath Road), the General Manager stated that vacant possession of these premises had now been obtained.
688 RESOLVED:- That a plan of the proposed alterations be prepared and on being approved by
the Chairman, the General Manager be instructed to obtain tenders for the carrying out of the work.
Bank Committee: March 16th 1925
A plan was submitted of proposed alterations and additions to the property recently purchased by the Bank at No 684, Washwood Heath Road, Ward End.
Mr McMichael, the Architect, estimated the approximate cost of the scheme would be £1,700, and that the work could be completed in six months time.
2022 RESOLVED:- That the plan be approved, and the General Manager instructed to obtain tenders and submit the same to the General Purposes Sub-Committee for consideration.
General Purposes Sub-Committee: April 6th 1925
715 On Minute No 688 (No 684 Washwood Heath Road) the General Manager stated that he was taking steps to obtain
tenders. He was authorised to arrange for the conditions to provide that the work should be completed within a reasonable period,
with a view to obviating such delays as had occurred with other Bank Contracts.
Special Bank Committee: May 4th 1925
Mr McMichael, Architect, attended the Committee, and the following tenders were opened and considered for the proposed alterations at 684, Washwood Heath Road, Ward End:
William P Ward £1,799 Maddocks & Walford Ltd £1,999 E M Squire £2,265 F J Briley £2,360 Isaac
Langley £2,495 W Sapcote & Sons £2,645
2056 RESOLVED:- That the tender of Mr William P Ward at the sum of £1,799 be accepted for the carrying out of the required alterations at No 684, Washwood Heath Road, Ward End, subject to the credentials of this Contractor being found satisfactory, failing which the tender of Messrs Maddocks and Walford Ltd at the sum of £1,999 be accepted, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare the necessary contract and to affix the Corporate Seal thereto.