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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: January 13th 1941
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WAR DAMAGE TO BANK BUILDINGS - FIFTH REPORT
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Since the previous report, damage has been caused to the undermentioned Bank buildings:
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Cotteridge Branch |
Prior to 3rd November
1940 |
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Selly Park Branch |
Prior to 7th November 1940 |
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Sherlock Street Branch |
19/20th November & 3/4th December 1940 |
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Moseley Branch |
3/4th
December 1940 |
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Aston Cross Branch |
3/4th December 1940 |
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Sparkbrook Branch |
3/4th December 1940 |
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Springfield Branch |
3/4th December 1940 |
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Nechells
Branch |
4th December 1940 |
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Witton Branch |
4th December 1940 |
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Balsall Heath Branch |
11/12th December 1940 |
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Bearwood Branch |
11/12th December 1940 |
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Spring
Hill Branch |
11/12th December 1940 |
Tiles damaged due to shrapnel and shell cap going through reef. Mr
Wilde instructed to have the necessary repairs done.
Selly Park Branch -
Slight damage has been caused to the roof by shrapnel.
Sherlock
Street Branch -
Windows at rear cracked and one window in front damaged; paintwork badly blistered, and an outside wall damaged.
Delayed
action bomb was discovered at the rear of No 151 Sherlock Street on the 15th instant, which had apparently been there since the raid
on 11/12th December. Police refused permission to enter Branch premises; bomb reported by Disposal Squad to be in a dangerous condition
as the fuse was loose. Branch could not be opened at 10am on the 16th December. Fortunately, bomb was rendered harmless, and the Branch
opened at 10:30am.
Moseley Branch -
On the night of 3/4th December, further extensive damage was done to the Branch premises
and both flats. One flat was in a dangerous condition and it became necessary to clear away dangerous walls and material. The other
flat was not seriously affected, and after repairs to roof and damaged wall, can be made habitable. Damage extended to ceiling of
Bank. Part of Bank space has been screened off. Mr Wilde and Mr Surman are dealing with the matter.
Aston Cross Branch -
Damage
caused to roof guttering of flat by incendiary bomb and one slate damaged. The resulting action of the bomb caused a small front window
to be broken. Mr Wilde gave instructions for necessary repairs.
Sparkbrook Branch -
Further damaged: twelve small panes
of glass cracked in flat No 163A Stratford Road; a hole in back roof and ceiling, and seven panes of glass cracked in flat No 161A
Stratford Road. Mr Wilde instructed to have repairs done.
Springfield Branch - Damage slight; one broken window in the flat,
a broken fanlight in the Bank and five squares of embossed glass cracked. Instructions given for repairs to be effected.
Witton
Branch -
Extensive damage done to windows of Bank and flat. In the Bank five plate glass windows and three sheet glass windows
were broken. Bank entrance door damaged and thirty small windows at rear broken. Three windows broken in messroom and two in scullery.
6ft of plaster above window frame will have to be repaired and also door jamb to entrance to flat. In the flat nineteen small windows
were broken and two ceilings badly damaged. Two door jambs also damaged. Extensive damage to roof, interior walls and partitions Mr
Wilde instructed Messrs W & J Webb to repair roof and effect first aid repairs to window frames to render weatherproof. Flat is
now empty and Mr Wilde advises that re-plastering should be left for the time being as it will be difficult to let the flat.
Nechells
Branch -
Slight damage to roof by shrapnel resulting in three slates being broken. Mr Wilde instructed to have repairs done.
Balsall
Heath Branch -
High explosive bomb fell in the garden attached to these premises, leaving the property in a dangerous condition.
Banking Hall has cracks in wall and ceiling, and there are also cracks in messroom wall and ceiling. The window of the messroom has
been blown out, and in the scullery there are cracks in walls and floors and the window was blown out. Cracks are also in wall and
floor of lavatory, and the window blown out. In the boiler house cracks are in the walls. Roof and chimneys badly damaged; one overhanging
chimney head and loose pots were taken down at once. Out-houses and kitchens of the flat are wrecked and windows blown in. Severe
fractures to outside walls of flat premises; garden walls and fences demolished. Mr Wilde had necessary first-aid repairs done. Mr
Wilde reported both flats should be repaired and put in proper condition with the exception of the re-glazing of the windows. Roofs
will have to be thoroughly overhauled, otherwise rain water will find its way into the Bank. Mr Surman has been called in to report
on re-construction.
Bearwood Branch -
Blast from H E bomb dislodged a tile from the roof.
Spring Hill Branch -
Blast from H E bomb caused considerable damage at the rear of this Bank, particularly to the Billiards Hall let to the Warwickshire Billiards Ltd. Mr Wilde reports damage to a large leaded light and a number of panes of glass in the roof, and the ventilator. Mr Campbell of the Warwickshire Billiards Ltd suggested that broken glass be taken out and thin iron sheets put in place thereof and Mr Wilde agreed and gave necessary instructions.
Alum Rock Branch -
First-aid repairs having been carried out, this Branch was re-opened on 18th
December.
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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: January 13th 1941
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ABSENCE FROM HOME
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The General Manager submitted the following report as to applications of two Branch Managers to be allowed to be away overnight from
their usual place of residence:
Arising out of the Bank Committee's decision in this matter, two applications from Branch Managers
for variations are submitted.
Mr Jennings asks to be allowed to reside with his wife's parents at Creynolds Lane, Monkspath,
instead of at his own house, No 4 Witherford Croft, Solihull. He is the Manager of Solihull Branch. He states that his house is within
a mile of a group of factories, and that bombs have been dropped in close proximity to his house; that his wife is an expectant mother
(about February 9th), and more nervous than normally so; that her parents' house is only two miles further away, and has excellent
shelter accommodation, and is in a safer area; that he has not a shelter on his own premises; that he is on duty at the Report Centre
at Solihull Council House on two evenings of the week from 6pm to 10pm. He puts the advantages to the Bank of his present arrangement
as (1) His wife's parents are on the telephone, and (2) if required to attend the Branch, a car is available.
Mr Abbiss asks
to continue the practice he has followed for twelve months, of staying at the house of his wife's parents, 128 Willow Avenue, Edgbaston,
on one night in the week to avoid travelling back to his home at 9 Hudson Road, Handsworth, during air raids. He points out that he
is away from his house two nights per week from 10pm to 6am on ARP duty at the Control Centre, Holyhead Road, and takes his turn in
night watching at Head Office. He also asks that the position of Managers who are away from home in similar circumstances on ARP or
Fire Watching duties should be made more clear, as the present instruction prohibits them being away from home overnight.
January
13th 1941.
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FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: June 8th 1942
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REMUNERATION PAID TO WOMEN MANAGERS |
Your Sub-Committee have given consideration to this matter. They are informed that the women selected for this work are discharging
the duties satisfactorily. They are in charge of the largest Branches of the Bank, and should receive reasonable remuneration for
the responsibility. The present pay is made up of basic salary, war bonus and a special allowance of £1 or 10/- per week. The total
sum received varies from £257. 17. 0d. per annum to £347. 17. 0d. Women ex-officers in charge are being paid £234 to £260 inclusive.
With the exception of two cases where the pay is considered sufficient, your Committee have directed the following increases to be
made:
Permanent Staff:
Allowance of £1. 0. 0. per week to be increased to £1. 10. 0. in the case of:
Misses Wilkins,
Roberts, Hastings, Pogson, Lomas, Bond, C Johnson, Neale, A C Brown, Wright, Jones, Searle, Hilton, and Mrs Winfield.
Allowances
of 10/-d. per week to Miss Gregory to be increased to £1. 0. 0.
Temporary Staff:
The following inclusive rates to apply
to the under-mentioned:
Mesdames Baker and Robottom, £6. 0. 0. per week.
Mesdames Brindley, Giddings and Dawson £5. 15. 0. per week.