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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: October 14th 1935
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MR T J LADBROOKE
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Mr Ladbrooke has applied to be exempted from further studies in connection with the examinations of the Institute of Bankers, and
in support of his application he states that he feels the studies would impair his health, and that having a young family the matter
is one of great consideration to him.
Mr Ladbrooke entered the service of the Bank on the 1st September 1919, being transferred
from the Rates Office. At that time he was only 22 years of age, and is now 39 years of age. He has occupied the post of an Officer-in-Charge
of a Branch from the commencement, and discharges his duties in a satisfactory manner.
During the War Mr Ladbrooke was in some
gas attack, and for some years after his return to England he suffered periodically as a result thereof. In 1924, in connection with
the investigations relating to the defalcations at Duddeston Branch, he was active in making journeys to houses of depositors in very
rainy weather, and as a result he caught a severe chill developed into rheumatic fever, and he was away from the Bank for a
considerable time. In the early part of this year he developed traces of neurasthenia, and was away from duty for some time on the
advice of his doctor. He is not in as good a state of health as one would like him to be, and there is always the fear of a recurrence
of the mental trouble referred to.
In 1926 I obtained for him an exemption from the Qualifying Examination of the Institute of
Bankers, so that he might proceed with studies under Part I. I believe he has made some effort each year since that date, but he has
not passed a single subject, and it leaves one in doubt as to whether he has seriously tried to pass the examinations. In 1929, along
with other officers, he was interviewed by the Chairman and myself, when it was pointed out to him that the Committee did expect him
to obtain the qualifications that other members of staff were doing.
Mr Ladbrooke is now receiving a salary of £475, which is
fixed as the maximum amount he may receive unless he does obtain the required qualifications for the post, in which case his salary
would be reconsidered.
While Mr Ladbrooke is entitled to sympathetic consideration on his present application, it should not
be overlooked that he came into the service of the Bank at a very young age, and at an age when he might easily have made some progress
in regard to studies, particularly in respect of Part I subjects, which are not difficult ones. He has allowed the most favourable
years of his life to go by without showing any signs of ability to pass examinations, and I can quite conceive that at his present
age, and in his present state of health, the outlook for passing examinations does not appear to him to be very promising.
J
P Hilton.
195 RESOLVED:- That having regard to all the circumstances, Mr Ladbrooke be granted exemption from examinations
for a period of twelve months but that he be informed that, subject thereto, the requirements as to examinations cannot be waived.
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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: December 16th 1940
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SALARY OF MR CLAMP
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On the 20th May 1940 your Committee gave authority to the Chairman (Alderman Barrow), Alderman Morland and Councillor Martineau to
engage a suitable publicity expert for propaganda purposes. They interviewed two likely candidates, and eventually offered a temporary
appointment to Mr R B Clamp, at a salary of £500 per annum, subject to three months' notice on either side, which term were agreed
to by the Salaries, Wages and Labour Committee.
At the time of the appointment was made, the Members of the Committee referred
to experienced some difficulty in fixing the remuneration, and intimated to Mr Clamp that the position would be reviewed after they
had had more experience of his work. At the meeting of your Committee held on the 14th November, Alderman Barrow made reference to
the excellent services rendered by Mr Clamp in his work as Publicity Office to the Bank, and his services to the National Savings
Committee in connection with War Weapons Week, and it was agreed that his salary should be reviewed at an early meeting.
Your
Sub-Committee have given the matter their consideration and now recommend that as and from the 1st January next Mr Clamp's salary
should be at the rate of £600 per annum, subject to the approval of the Salaries, Wages and Labour Committee.
In making this
recommendation, it is fitting to refer to the tactful manner in which Mr Clamp has carried out, and continue to carry out, the Coupon
system of deposit, which has resulted in a careful selection of 138 accredited agents up to the present time. He has addressed numerous
meetings of workers and various organisations, and reports received from time to time show that his services have been appreciated
by them. In many other directions of the Bank's work Mr Clamp's organising abilities have proved of great value, and he has taken
over those duties which formerly fell to Mr H G Wright, who retired on superannuation at Bank end of July.
With reference to
the services rendered by Mr Clamp in connection with War Weapons Week, the Local Savings Committee, recognising his abilities in this
direction, appealed for his assistance, and he undertook the major portion of the publicity efforts and the necessary organisation.
Testimony has been paid by the Chairman of the Local Savings Committee to Mr Clamp's valuable service in this connection.
He
has further been of great assistance to the Bank in establishing a closer co-operation between the Bank and the National Savings Movement.
This has not been achieved without much labour and many discussions, but the tactful manner in which Mr Clamp has dealt with the Organisers
of the National Savings Movement, and with the Local Savings Committee, has resulted in amicable arrangements being made for the desired
closer co-operation.
Upon the recommendation contained in the report as to increase in the salary of Mr R B Clamp being put to the meeting, there was an
equal division of votes (four members voted for the motion and four against, Alderman Gelling not voting). The Chairman in accordance
with Standing Order XXIV exercised his casting vote in favour of the motion and it was:
6923 RESOLVED:- That, subject
to the approval of the Salaries, Wages and Labour Committee, the salary of Mr R B Clamp be increased as from the 1st January, 1941
from £500 to £600 per annum.
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BANK COMMITTEE: December 16th 1940
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W C BAKER
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As a result of a further report on unsatisfactory work by the above Officer, who is in charge of Newtown Row and Wheeler Street
Branches, the Chairman, with Alderman Barrow, considered it desirable to interview the Officer on Friday last.
Baker has had
several opportunities of proving whether he can satisfactorily undertake the duties of a Branch Manager, but does not appear to be
able to rise to the occasion. His integrity is not in question, but there continues to be a general slackness, and a failure to realise
his responsibilities, with the result that Senior Officers of the Bank (whose views were ascertained by Aldermen Morland and Barrow)
are continually in a state of fear that something serious may occur owing to Baker's shortcomings. On two occasions the Chairman dealing
with his case has felt it necessary to temporarily relieve him from charge of a Branch, and place him as a Cashier at Head Office,
where he would be under supervision. In such capacity no complaints were made as to his work, and he has been twice reinstated.
The
Chairman and Alderman Barrow are convinced that it is not in the interests of the Bank to retain Baker as a Branch Manager, and that
he should revert to his position as a Cashier at Head Office. He is now receiving a salary of £385 per annum, and in considering a
readjustment of salary regard has been paid to his age (54 years) and length of service (since May 1926). They are of opinion that
the case would be met by making Baker's salary £350, which should be the maximum figure.
It is accordingly recommended that Baker
be given one month's notice terminating his present appointment as a Branch Manager, and that he be offered employment as a Cashier
at Head Office at a salary of £350 per annum as and from the 1st February 1941.
J P Hilton
6935 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be instructed to give Mr W C Baker one month's notice terminating his present
appointment as Branch Manager and offering him employment as cashier at Head Office at a salary of £350 per annum as from the 1st
February 1941.
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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: February 4th 1946
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MISS EDNA EVELINE BROWN
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This ex-officer of the Bank has recently expressed the hope that some compensation would be made to her for loss of service and salary,
and refers to other cases granted compensation.
Miss Brown's case was considered by the Committee on the 16th July 1945, when
a full report was given of absences due to illness, etc. [*a] It was decided to have her examined by a medical referee, and this was
arranged by the City Treasurer. As a result of the report received, the Committee decided that Miss Brown should be retired on superannuation
as and from the 30th September 1945.
Briefly, the position in regard to her absences is as follows:
Ignoring sick leave
which totalled 7 days or less, the records show she was away for 587 days from 1928 to 1945 with Laryngitis; Operation on throat;
appendicitis; facial paralysis; bronchial catarrh, etc, etc.
During the period she was away from duty she received full salary,
except from the 26th February to the 14th May 1945 and from the 15th August to the 30th September 1945, when she was paid half salary
in accordance with the Council's sickness benefit scheme.
At the time of her retirement she was receiving a basic salary of £245,
plus bonus £50. 17. 0d., making a total of £295. 17. 0d. Her superannuation allowance is £95. 7. 0d. per annum.
The only two
cases where a compassion grant has been made, are those of the late Mr T J Ladrooke and Mr G F Lewis, former Branch Managers. The
first named was a victim of gas attacks in the 1914-18 war, and at times his condition was very bad. Later, he suffered from other
illnesses, bordering on a mental state. He was a married man with several young children and his financial position was strained.
The Committee took all the facts of his length and quality of service into consideration, and after agreement with the Salaries, Wages
and Labour Committee, a compassionate allowance of £500 was made to him. In the case of Mr Lewis, he became crippled with rheumatism
and reached a stage when he could scarcely move about. He also was a married man with young children. His case was also fully considered
by both the Bank and Salaries and Wages and Labour Committees, and the compassionate allowance of £250 made to him.
The case
of Miss Brown is not comparable with either of the two cases referred to.
1509 RESOLVED:- That the General Manager be directed to inform Miss E E Brown that her request for a compassionate grant
cannot be acceded to.
*a This officer has been away on continuous sick leave since the 5th January 1945. Her case is one of recurring
illness, and governed by circular 247 S/D dated 10th February 1943, issued by the Town Clerk. Her first sick benefit year ended on
the 15th May 1944, during which period she received full salary for the days she was absent. Her second sick benefit year ended on
the 15th May 1945, during which period she received full salary for three months and half salary for three months. A third sick benefit
year came into effect on the 16th May 1945, and it would appear she is entitled to again receive three months full salary, and three
months half salary if her illness covers such periods.
Miss Brown's health has not been good since she entered the service, and
her numerous absences have created difficulties in the Accounts Department where she is employed. Owing to throat trouble in 1928-29
she was removed from Branch work on medical advice - it was not thought desirable she should be brought into close contact with the
public. When able to work, she is an efficient officer, but the unsatisfactory state of her health makes it necessary to find someone
to replace her, upon whom the Accountant can rely.
Ignoring sick leave during the year, which has totalled seven days or less,
her record is as follows:
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days |
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1928 |
49 |
Laryngitis and operation on throat |
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1929 |
81 |
Operation on throat; throat trouble; and
operation for appendicitis |
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1931 |
12 |
Abscess in leg |
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1933 |
24 |
Facial paralysis |
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1934 |
45 |
" " |
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1937 |
20 |
Influenza |
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1940 |
15 |
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1942 |
69 |
Bronchial catarrh; mumps; bronchial catarrh and laryngitis; nervous disability
causing eye strain |
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1944 |
46 |
Bronchial catarrh; bronchitis and influenza |
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1945 |
154 |
Bronchitis; sciatica; and fibrositis Note: up to July 7th,
and still away from duty. This would appear to be a case in which the opinion of a medical referee should be obtained. She has been with
the Bank since 1st December 1924, and is 42 years of age. |
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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: July 12th 1937
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APPOINTMENT OF BRANCH MANAGERS
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In connection with the above matter, I desire to ask the Committee to reconsider the position of certain officers undermentioned:
In October 1935 it was decided that these officers, who were in charge
of Branches, should cease to occupy such positions, and be appointed as Cashiers, with a reduction in salary in each case of £15 per
annum. This action was taken because each had failed to qualify as an Associate of the Institute of Bankers, and not because of faulty
work. These men accepted the position with good grace, and have given satisfactory service as Cashiers and also as Relief Branch Managers.
Brown is 35 years of age; Harling 38; and Wright 34; and each is a married man. Brown has passed 5 out of 10 subjects; Harling 7,
and Wright 6. These men are more competent to take charge of a Branch than younger men on the staff who have passed the Institute
examinations. The decision in 1935 was in accordance with warnings previously given as to what would happen if they failed to pass
the examinations, but in view of the quality of their work, and the large number of vacancies to fill, I think we need not continue
the penalty. I therefore recommend that these three officers be re-instated as Officers-in-Charge at their present salary, viz, £385,
which is the maximum proposed for the lowest grade in the new Grading Scheme.
R T Piper and W LHannah
These
officers joined the staff in 1927, the former from Reading Savings Bank and the latter from Falkirk Savings Bank. It was a condition
of their appointment that they should qualify as Associates of the Institute of Bankers. Piper has passed 6 out of 10 subjects, and
Hannah 5. They have tried hard, and are still trying to complete the but in Piper's case his time limit expires this July. Piper is
36 years of age, and Hannah 44, and both are married men. Dealing with Piper's case, I would say the quality of his work is equal
to that of several others of the staff occupying a similar post, and I suggest he should be retained in his post, but dealt with in
the same way as suggested for Brown, Harling, and Wright above, which means that his salary would be reduced from £400 to £385.
Dealing
with Hannah's case, the position is different. Hannah is an experienced Savings Bank official, thoroughly dependable and enthusiastic.
I have had occasion to bring his service to the notice of the Committee, and in particular, he proved most helpful in pushing the
House Purchase business some two years ago, for which purpose he was temporarily removed from the charge of a Branch. He is receiving
£440 per annum, and worthy of that figure. I do not recommend any change in his pay or status, but desire to clear the position with
regard to the professional qualification. He should still be required to persevere with his studies, but I do not wish him to be penalised
merely because he may fail to complete the course.
J P Hilton.
July 8th 1937.
NOTE: the Committee agreed with the recommendations
of the General Manager.