General Purposes Sub-Committee: December 14th 1925

825 On Minute No 794 (Property - Stratford Road, Sparkhill) the General Manager stated that a letter had been received from Mr G W Halford the tenant of No 797 Stratford Road, Sparkhill, (part of the Bank property) suggesting negotiations for the surrender of his lease which expires in 1927.

The General Manager had placed the matter in the hands of Mr Wilde, and a report on the subject would be presented at a later date.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: January 11th 1926

On Minutes Nos 794 and 825 (Property - 797 & 799, Stratford Road, Sparkhill) the General Manager reported that on the authority of the Chairman of the General Committee he had determined the negotiations for the surrender of the leases of No 797 and 799, Stratford Road. The question of leasing vacant land on the opposite side of Stratford Road on which a temporary building might be erected so as to relieve the congestion at the Sparkhill Branch was being considered.

846    RESOLVED:- That the action taken in the matter be approved, and the General Manager authorised to make the best arrangements he can for easing the situation at Sparkhill Branch.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: April 12th 1926

On Minute No 846 (Sparkhill Branch) the Sub-Committee were informed that enquiries were proceeding in regard to a suitable site upon which to erect a wooden building to relieve the position at the Sparkhill Branch, and a report on the matter will be presented at a later meeting.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: May 10th 1926

On Minutes Nos 846 and 912 (Improved accommodation for Sparkhill Branch), the following communication from the Public Works and Town Planning Committee was submitted:

Temporary Bank site, Stratford Road, Sparkhill.

The Municipal Bank Committee have asked to be allowed to erect a temporary wooden building on land belonging to your Committee in Stratford Road, near the junction with Solihull Road, for a period not exceeding two years.

They have purchased three shops on the opposite side of Stratford Road for permanent premises and have possession of one, which is not, however, adequate for their requirements.

It is understood that possession of the remaining shops will be obtained in about 18 months' time.

The site selected is in front of the road improvement line, and would not interfere with any sale of the available building land to the Sparkhill Church authorities, which has been in contemplation for some, as the hut would be removed before a church could be completed.

Your Sub-Committee recommend that subject to the payment of suitable rent, the application be granted.

Resolution of the Public Works and Town Planning Committee:

RESOLVED:- That subject to the payment of a suitable rent the Bank Committee be permitted the temporary use for a period of two years of the site at the junction of Stratford Road with Solihull Road for the purpose of erecting thereon a temporary Branch Bank.

The General Manager reported that the Public Works Committee had granted a licence for the erection of a temporary wooden building on the site covering a period of two years. Such temporary building had now been erected, and would be fitted up for the purposes of a Branch Bank as soon as possible.

935     RESOLVED:- That the arrangements indicated by the General Manager be approved; the action taken in the matter confirmed, and Minutes Nos 846 and 912 be discharged.

Bank Committee: May 15th 1926

2359 The following report of the General Purposes Sub-Committee was presented:

Sparkhill Branch - Erection of portable wooden building.

Your Sub-Committee have arranged with the Public Works etc Committee for the temporary use of a site in Stratford Road almost opposite to the present branch, and a temporary wooden building has been placed thereon, the Public Works Committee having granted a licence for such erection covering a period of two years. As soon as circumstances permit, in view of the industrial trouble, the building will be fitted up for the purposes of a branch.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 11th 1926

999 The General Manager reported that notice had been given by the Springfield Social Club to terminate the tenancy of the club rooms over the Sparkhill premises on the 31st March next.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: April 11th 1927

The General Manager called attention to the confusion which might be likely to arise in connection with the nomenclature of Nos 482-4, Stratford Road (the newly acquired premises at Sparkhill), and No 801, Stratford Road (which up to the present has been know as the Sparkhill Branch).

1105   RESOLVED:- That in future Nos 482-4, Stratford Road be known as the Sparkhill Branch, and the premises No 801, Stratford Road, be known as the Springfield Branch.

Finance Sub-Committee: July 11th 1927

The General Manager reported that the Solicitor to Mr Halford, the Lessee of No 797, Stratford Road, whose lease expires in September next, had applied for permission for his Client to remain in possession until the expiration of the lease of the adjoining premises, No 799, Stratford Road, in June, 1928, and at the same time had enquired what compensation would be paid for possession being given forthwith.

113     RESOLVED:- That the General Committee be recommended to agree to the extension of Mr Halford's lease until June, 1928, in view of the necessity of obtaining possession of the adjoining premises before the Branch Extension Scheme can be carried out, and to instruct that no payment be made to Mr Halford as compensation for possession; also to instruct the Town Clerk, subject to arrangements being made for Mr Halford's lease to be extended, to enter into any necessary Agreement in the matter.

Finance Sub-Committee: October 10th 1927

The General Manager reported that Mr Halford (the Lessee of No 797 Stratford Road) whose Lease it had recently been agreed should be extended to June 1928 has now expressed his wish to have the Lease terminated at the 31st March next instead of June. The Chairman of the General Committee had given the Town Clerk authority to arrange accordingly.

133     RESOLVED:- That the General Committee be recommended to confirm the action taken in the matter and to amend their previous instructions.

Finance Sub-Committee: June 11th 1928

The Sub-Committee were informed that the Lessee of No 799 Stratford Road had written expressing his dissatisfaction that no offer had been made by the Bank for the surrender of the premises occupied by him.

220     No action was taken in the matter.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: June 11th 1928

1281   The General Manager stated that a letter had 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.

1282   RESOLVED:- That Mr Harold Scott be invited to prepare a scheme for altering and adapting bank premises at Springfield.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: July 9th 1928

On Minute No 1282 (Springfield Branch) the Sub-Committee considered a rough plan prepared by Mr Harold Scott (Architect) showing a scheme for the carrying out of the alterations at an estimated cost of £2,000.

1291   RESOLVED:- That the scheme as submitted be approved, and that the General Manager be directed to instruct Mr Harold Scott to prepare a full plan and elevation, and on such plan being approved by the Chairman and the General Manager to obtain tenders for the carrying out of the work.

General Purposes Sub-Committee: October 8th 1928

On Minutes Nos 1282 and 1291 (Springfield Branch), the Sub-Committee were informed that the Chairman of the General Committee with Councillors Gelling and Cooper, had opened the tenders received for the required alterations, and it was proposed that the lowest tender, namely, that of Messrs Lewis Price Ltd, at the sum of £2,120, should be accepted.

1306  RESOLVED:- That the General Committee be recommended to accept the tender of Messrs Lewis Price Ltd, at the sum of £2,120 accordingly.

The General Manager reported that the Sparkhill Liberal Association had enquired whether the temporary building used by the Bank on land fronting Stratford Road would be for disposal when the alterations were completed at the Springfield Branch, and what price would be asked for the building.

1318   RESOLVED:- That the General Manager inform the Association that the alterations will not be completed for six months, and if the building referred to is not then required it will be disposed of on the site.

Bank Committee: October 15th 1928

Alterations at Springfield Branch.

Tenders have been received and considered for the carrying out of alterations at the Springfield Branch in accordance with the approved plan, and your Sub-Committee recommend that the lowest tender received, namely, that of Messrs Lewis Price Ltd at the sum of £2,120 be accepted, the work to be completed within four months; also, that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and affix the Corporate Seal to the necessary Contract.

With reference to the acceptance of the tender of Messrs Lewis Price Ltd for alterations at the Springfield Branch, the following Report of the General Manager was submitted:

REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER.

Tenders for Alterations to Bank Premises at Stratford Road, Springfield.

Since the meeting of the General Purposes Sub-Committee, at which it was decided to recommend the acceptance of the tender of Messrs Lewis Price Limited for the above work, the General Manager has received a letter from the Firm stating that a serious mistake has been made in their tender, by an omission of £425. The explanation given is that in carrying the figures to the Summary, the item in respect of stonework, amounting to £425, was not inserted, and the Firm have no alternative but to ask to be allowed to amend their tender.

After conferring with the Chairman, the General Manager is directed to inform the Members of the Committee that the next lowest tender received is that of Mr Ernest A Turner of Maypole Lane, Yardley Wood, amounting to £2,190, and that at the meeting on Monday next the Chairman will move that Mr Turner's tender be accepted instead of that of Messrs Lewis Price Limited.

(October 12th 1928)

3201  RESOLVED:- That the foregoing Report of the General Manager be approved; that the tender of Mr Ernest A Turner, at the sum of £2,190, for the carrying out of alterations at the Springfield Branch, be accepted, the work to be completed within four months; and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and affix the Corporate Seal to the necessary Contract.

Bank Committee: December 10th 1928

On Minute No 1320, the General Manager presented the following report with regard to the available use of land and buildings purchased for branch bank purposes: