Ongoing research; last updated 8 December 2013
1st March
1943 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Refreshment Room Tenancies
Attached is a list of Refreshment Room tenancies which expire on 25th
instant. The list includes the tenancies
usually granted for the period of three years, and those usually granted for
one year only.
It was usual prior to the war, to advertise in the Press for tenders in
the case of three year tenancies of refreshment rooms in public parks, but since
then the Committee have agreed that this would be a useless expense. The various tenants have, therefore, been
approached with a view to ascertaining whether they are prepared to continue
their present tenancies for one year only on the existing terms as was done
last year.
It is also usual in the case of the three years tenancies for the
tenants to enter into a formal Agreement, but owing to the abnormal times, the
Town Clerk suggested last year that as the offers and their acceptance were in
writing, this would be sufficient to set up the new tenancies and he did not think
it necessary to go to the expense of preparing fresh Agreements.
It is recommended if your Committee agree to renew the present tenancies
on the existing terms, that the same procedure be followed this year.
List of Refreshment Tenancies
expiring on the 25th March 1943
Tenancies in respect of which
Agreeemnts are usually entered into
Park King’s
Heath
Present Tenant Miss Grace
Summers,
Kings Heath House,
King’s Heath Park, 14.
Usual period of Tenancy 3 years
Usual Rental per annum £65
Present rental per annum £60
Staff Wages – Appointments
The following appointments have
been made in order to fill vacancies:
Name Martin, L.
Park King’s Heath
Nature of employment Pk. Labr.
Commencing date 22.2.43
Wages £3-11-6.
Refreshment
Room Tenancies
5059 Resolved:-
That the General Manager be authorized to arrange for the renewal of refreshmnet
room tenancies, as set out in the list attached to his report, for a further period of
12 months, expiring on the 25th March, 1944, on the same terms as at
present …………..
Staff Wages
5062
Resolved:- That the various
appointments to fill vacancies on the staff, as set out in the foregoing
report, be approved.
6th March 1943 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
Requisition to erect two large and one small Shelters.
5th April 1943 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
Staff – Resignations of Employees
Name Martin, L.
Park King’s Heath
Nature of employment Pk.Labr.
Left own accord, 26.2.43
17th April 1943 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Kings Heath
Services Parade – Large crowds lined the streets of King’s Heath on Sunday morning when a combined Services parade marched to Cambridge Road Methodist Church, led by a Royal Air Force band.
Under the command of Major D. Craig-Browne, the parade formed at King’s Heath Park, and after the service the salute was taken by Lieut.-Col. A.H. Sayer, M.C. at the Kingsway Cinema.
There were 500 people taking part, detachments being present from the “D” Company, 51st Warwick Home Guard, under Lieut. C.S. Ellis, M.M., No. 493 Squadron Air Training Corps, under Flying Officer D.P. Adams, “E” Division National Fire Service under Coy. Officer Allcock, “K” Sub-Division Wardens Service under Dep.-Div. Warden J.A. Gillies, and 118 Unit Women’s Junior Air Corps. under A.-Unit Commander G.G. Brown. Captain S.E. Wort was parade adjutant and C.S.M. Burnell was parade sergt.-major. A representative from each of the services accompanied Lieut.-Col. Sayer when he took the salute. The church was filled to capacity. The minister, Rev. John Talbot, conducted the service, and Mr. L.G. White was organist.
7th June 1943 – BCC Parks Committee
Minute
COMMUNICATIONS
Women’s
Land Army – Wages and Conditions of Service
5110 The following resolution of the Salaries,
Wages and Labour Committee was received:-
6894 Resolved:- That the Parks Committee be informed that
this Committee considers that members of the Women’s Land Army employed by the
Corporation should be engaged upon standard conditions of employment and wage
rates laid down by the Women’s Land Army.
(See General Managers’ Report – Document No. (Sic)
3, Item 7)
The following
reports of the General Manager were received:-
Women’s Land Army – Wages and Conditions of
Service
Your Department employs a number of members of the Women’s Land Army, as
well as a number of other women who are engaged on food production and work in
the Parks and Cemeteries.
In accordance with instructions issued by the Salaries, Wages and Labour
Committee, all these female workers were paid for the first 26 weeks of service
90% of the basic wage of male employees of the same occupation, plus 90% of the
male employees war bonus, and after six months satisfactory service the full basic
wage applicable to male employees of the same occupation, plus the full war
bonus of such employees.
When members of the Women’s Land Army were first engaged by the
Department, it was arranged that as the Corporation rates of pay were in excess
of the standard W.L.A. rates, such employees should conform to the
Corporation’s Conditions of Service, including the Sickness and Accident
Allowance Scheme.
Recently however, the Women’s Land Army Authorities introduced new
Standard Conditions of Employment for W.L.A. Members, including minimum rates
of pay for the County of Warwick (which includes the Birmingham area) and
provisions as to payment of wages during absence from work owing to
sickness. After these new conditions
came in operation, one member of the W.L.A. employed by your Department made a
claim for wages during her temporary absence from work on account of sickness,
and upon referring the matter to the Women’s Land Army Authorities, I was
informed that no exception could be made to their rule, and that all members of
the W.L.A. in employment in the County must be dealt with under their Standard
Conditions of Employment, or such labour would have to be withdrawn. After further discussion with the W.L.A. Authorities,
it was arranged that the wages of new comers should be at W.L.A. rates, and
that the wages of existing members of the W.L.A in your Department should be
adjusted accordingly. Before this could
be done however, it was necessary for a ruling to be obtained from the
Salaries, Wages and Labour Committee as to whether it would be in order for
this Committee to comply with the Standard Conditions of Employment of the
W.L.A., including wage rates, particularly as other female workers would be
employed on similar work under the Corporation rates of pay and Conditions of
Service. At that time the Corporation
inclusive rate was £3-4-4d. for the first 26 weeks’ service, and £3-11-6d.
after six months’ satisfactory service.
The minimum rate under the W.L.A. conditions was and is now 43/9d.
The Salaries, Wages and Labour Committee has given the decision that
members of the W.L.A. employed by the Corporation should be engaged upon the
Standard Conditions of Employment and wage rates laid down by the W.L.A. Upon receipt of this decision and by arrangement
with the W.L.A. Authorities, notice was given to all members of the W.L.A. in your
employ who were receiving the Corporation Rate of wages, terminating their
employment on the 22nd ultimo, and offering re-engagement at W.L.A.
Rates of Pay and on the Standard Conditions of Employment of their
Organisation.
The employees concerned have accepted re-engagement on these terms, but
the decision has apparently created considerable disaffection, particularly
among those with the greatest length of service with your Department.
I have had interviews with several of these and with the District
Representative of the W.L.A. for the Birmingham area. They point out that the wage rates specified
in the W.L.A. Standard Conditions are minimum rates only, and that there is
nothing to prevent the Committee from awarding increases in such rates where
increases are considered justifiable. In
some of the cases, hardship undoubtedly ensues as a result of the reduction
that has been made, and it seems unfair that other female employees, not
members of the W.L.A., but doing similar or even less important work should be
paid at a much higher rate. In these
circumstances it is submitted that the Committee would be justified in granting
certain increases, and I have provisionally arranged with the Local W.L.A.
Representative, subject to the Committee’s approval, that the general principle
should be an increase of 5/- a week after 6 months’ satisfactory service, 10/-
after 12 months’ service, 15/- after 1½ years’ service and 20/- after 2 years’
service, consideration at the same time being given to cases of special
merit. On this basis, it has been
recommended that increases to date as from the 1st instant as set
out in the accompanying schedule should be granted at once. The schedule contains particulars of all the
members of the W.L.A. at present in the employment of the Department.
The Committee’s instructions are desired.
Schedule of Members of the Women’s
Land Army in the Employ of the Department as at 1st June, 1943
Name Date of Place of Length of Wage
Increases
Birth Employment Service Recommended
Duckett,
E.L. Miss 20.12.21 King’s Heath Pk 8
mths. 10/- wk
Jarvis, J. Miss 15.6.19 King’s Heath Pk. 7 mths. 15/- wk
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted
as follows since your May meeting:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
2.6.43 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
Women’s
Land Army – Wages and Conditions of Service
5120 Resolved:-
That the recommendations set out in the foregoing report with regard to
the members of the Women’s Land Army employed by the Parks Department,
including the increases shown in the schedule to the report, to take effect as
from 1st June, 1943, be confirmed.
5th July
1943 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted
as follows since your June meeting:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
21.5.43 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
28.6.43 King’s Heath Major
D. Craig-Browne, Permission to use a
Parade
Marshal, portion of the park
King’s
Heath & as a dispersal
point
Moseley
District for the
parade in
connection
with “Wings
for
Victory” Week.
Home Guard
Since your last meeting,
facilities have been granted to various units of the Home Guard, as follows:-
King’s
Heath Park - “D” Company, 51st
Warwickshire Birmingham Battalion.
Permission to hold a Demonstration on Thursday, the 1st July.
26th July
1943 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Use of Parks
The use of parks has been granted
as follows since your last meeting:-
Date Park Organisation Purpose
25.8.43 King’s Heath R.G.
Parsons Evangelistic
meetings
21st August 1943 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Kings Heath
Bowlers’ Aid for Red Cross – The Maypole Bowling Club, Alcester Road, raised nearly £900 for national savings over the week-end. The effort will run all next week and will include dancing, concerts and darts competitions. It is hoped to reach £2,000.
A match in aid of the Red Cross will take place at King’s Heath Park to-morrow (Sunday) commencing at 3.00 p.m., when it is hoped to raise at least £100.
The opposing teams will be one comprising professional footballers, including many internationals (captained by Joe Bradford, late Birmingham F.C.), and a team of star British bowlers, captained by the well-known county player, George Adams.
It is hoped that Sir Ernest and Lady Canning will attend. Lady Canning is a vice-president of the British Red Cross.
30th September 1943 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
£10.0.0. received for occupation of dressing rooms by No. 4 sector H.G.
13th November 1943 – Birmingham News
Services Parade – Cambridge Road Methodist Church, King’s Heath, was filled to capacity on Sunday morning, when members of various organizations in the district attended for a service of intercession and remembrance. The detachments, which paraded from King’s Heath Park, consisted of representatives form “D” Company, 51st Warwick. Home Guard (under Lt. C.S. Ellis), 2nd Birmingham (King’s Heath) Cadets (C./Capt. J.S. Kennedy), No. 493 Squadron A.T.C. (Flt. Lt. H.S. Goodby), “E” Division National Fire Service (Coy. Officer Allcock), and “K” Sub-Division Wardens’ Service (Dep./Div. Warden J.A. Gillies). They were headed by “B” Company, 27th Battn. Home Guard Band, under Lt./Q.M. Cutler (by permission of Major J.J. Nolan).
The service was conducted by the minister, Rev. John Talbot, who preached on the subject, “Morale”. By special request the cantata “As the Leaves Fall” was repeated, and at the end of the service a bugler sounded the “Last Post” and a one-minute silence was observed, followed by “Reveille”. The British Legion were responsible for the act of remembrance.
A salute after the service was taken in front of the Kingsway Cinema by Lieut.-Col. A.H. Sayer.
24th December 1943 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
4th October 1943 – Parks Committee
The General
Manager submitted the following report:-
Glasshouse Heating – Restrictions on use of
Fuel
Referring to my reports submitted to you on the
3rd May and 7th June last, it now appears that under the
various Fuel Control and Glasshouse Heating Orders your Department will only be
able to obtain permits for fuel for glasshouses not used for food production
purposes to the extent of ten per cent of the total cubic contents of the
glasshouses under their control.
Applications for permits are, therefore, being made accordingly.
In this connection, it has been necessary for a
schedule to be prepared of the sizes and cubic capacities of the glasshouses
and heated frames in the various parks and cemeteries, and a copy of this
schedule is laid upon the table for the Committee’s information and for
recording upon the Minutes.
In accordance with a suggestion made by the
Town Clerk, an application was made to the Non-Edible Plants (Fuel) Committee
of the Royal Horticultural Society for a certificate that certain plants in the
glasshouses at Cannon Hill Park were of national importance, and that a special
allowance of fuel might, therefore, be obtained in respect thereof. The Royal Horticultural Society sent two
members of this Committee to Birmingham to inspect the plants in question, but
a notification from the Society has now been received stating that such plants
cannot be considered as being of national importance. The expenses of the representatives’ visit to
Birmingham amounting to £3-8-5. were paid by your Department.
Schedule
Sizes and Cubic Capacities of
Glasshouses and Heated Frames in Various Parks and Cemeteries
Glasshouses Heated Frames
Situation Ground
Cubic Ground Cubic
Contents
Dimensions Contents (feet) Dimensions (feet)
Dimensions Contents (feet) Dimensions (feet)
King’s Heath Pk, 75’ x 15’ 9580 54’
x 5’ 382
Vicarage Road, 50’
x 12½’ 4700
Kings’ Heath 25’
x 14½’ 3415
- Conservatory 28’
x 18’ 5560
Total Cubic Contents 23,637
The Week’s News from the Districts
King’s Heath
Services Parade – Cambridge Road Methodist Church, King’s Heath, was filled to capacity on Sunday morning, when members of various organizations in the district attended for a service of intercession and remembrance. The detachments, which paraded from King’s Heath Park, consisted of representatives form “D” Company, 51st Warwick. Home Guard (under Lt. C.S. Ellis), 2nd Birmingham (King’s Heath) Cadets (C./Capt. J.S. Kennedy), No. 493 Squadron A.T.C. (Flt. Lt. H.S. Goodby), “E” Division National Fire Service (Coy. Officer Allcock), and “K” Sub-Division Wardens’ Service (Dep./Div. Warden J.A. Gillies). They were headed by “B” Company, 27th Battn. Home Guard Band, under Lt./Q.M. Cutler (by permission of Major J.J. Nolan).
The service was conducted by the minister, Rev. John Talbot, who preached on the subject, “Morale”. By special request the cantata “As the Leaves Fall” was repeated, and at the end of the service a bugler sounded the “Last Post” and a one-minute silence was observed, followed by “Reveille”. The British Legion were responsible for the act of remembrance.
A salute after the service was taken in front of the Kingsway Cinema by Lieut.-Col. A.H. Sayer.
24th December 1943 - Parks Department (Operations Card 55 M1)
£10.0.0. received from cashier Western Command for rent of dressing rooms. December quarter.
