Ongoing Research - Last updated 23 April 2014
6th February 1950 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Denton submitted the following report of the General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Staff
(a)
Appointments
Since the last
meeting of your Committee the appointments as set out in Appendix “C” have been
made.
Appendix “C”
Manual Staff – Appointments
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Bottomley, J.T.
(30)
Designation: Garden Labr.
(a)
Where employed: King’s Heath Park
Date of Entering
Service: 28.12.49
Wages: £5. 0.
0.
(b)
Resignations
Since the last
meeting of your Committee the resignations as set out in Appendix “E” have been
received.
Appendix “E”
Manual Staff – Resignations
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Upton, F. (50)
Designation: Garden Labr.
(a)
Where employed: King’s Heath Park
Date Ceased: 23.12.49.
Name & Age: Hughes, J.A.
(30)
Designation: Parks Police
Where employed: King’s Heath Park
Date Ceased: 28.12.49.
Annual Review
of Salaries
Particulars of
salaries of the Non-Manual Staff of your Department, indicating appropriate
increments within the Grade to take effect from the 1st April, 1950
are set out in Appendix “K”.
I have no
adverse report to make upon any of the officers concerned, and accordingly
recommend the appropriate increments indicated where applicable.
The increments recommended
pay no regard to any subsequent proposals for regradings which may arise out of
the request received from the Establishment Committee for a complete revision
of your Committee’s existing Establishment.
It will be remembered
that by Minute No. 9630, a special Sub-Committee was appointed to consider in
detail this revised Establishment, and the recommended increments in the report
now submitted are naturally subject to any alterations which the final decision
of the Establishment Committee may superimpose upon them.
Appendix “K”
List of Salaries of Non-Manual Staff as at the 31st
March, 1950, and recommendations for Increases.
Name: Whiteley,
AA.
Age as at 1st
Apr. 1950: 52
9/12
Length of service as
at 1st Apr. 1950: 18
7/12
Present Grade: APT.
IV. (Max)
Present salary
(incl. emoluments if any): £525
Value of emoluments
(if any): £65
Min. & Max.
Salaries within Grade: £480 -
£525
Increment
Appropriate to Grade: -
Salary recommended: £525
Remarks Maximum
of Grade reached
Non-Manual Staff – Salary
Increments
9755
Resolved:- That for the reasons stated
in Appendix “K” of the foregoing report, authority be given for the payment of
the appropriate salary scale increases to the members of the non-manual staff
of the Parks Department as from the 1st April 1950.
Manual Staff - Appointments
9760 Resolved:-
That the various appointments to fill existing vacancies, as detailed in
Appendix “D” to the foregoing report, be approved and confirmed.
Alderman Denton submitted the following report of the Sites
and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
King’s Heath Park – Bandstand
The General Manager has reported
that the bandstand at King’s Heath Park, which is rather small and never used,
is now in very poor condition. Your
Sub-Committee therefore recommend that this bandstand is removed, with a view
to the space being opened up in due course.
King’s Heath Park – Bandstand
9795 Resolved:- That the bandstand at King’s Heath Park be
removed, with a view to the space occupied thereby being opened up in due
course.
Councillor Gurden presented the
following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Cricket in the
Parks – Practice Pitches
I feel that the
Sub-Committee will be interested to learn that I have received a letter from
Mr. A.L. Bird, the Hon. Secretary of the Birmingham Public Parks Cricket
Association, informing me that his Association proposes to sponsor a coaching
scheme during the coming season, using the practice pitches which were laid
down last year in the parks, together with any additions which are made to
their number.
The Association
proposes to book the pitches in each park for one night per week and Mr. Bird
stated that it was hoped Warwickshire County Staff Members would act as coaches
on the opening evening, thereafter assistance would be sought from
Professionals attached to the Birmingham League Clubs and the Association’s own
leading players. It is considered that
activities of this kind deserve to be encouraged and that the same facilities
should be extended to other organisations if required, always providing the
pitches are not monopolised by the Leagues, and individual clubs are given a
fair share. Mr. Bird has suggested that
if additional practice pitches are laid down, one should be at Handsworh Park -
but here there is difficulty in finding a suitable site, and one at Selly Oak
Park where no difficulty as to siting exists.
With regard to
practice pitches generally, I would suggest that four additional double bay
pitches be laid down this year, one of which should be at Selly Oak Park and
three at other parks or recreation grounds, providing suitable sites can be
found.
I would further
suggest that an experiment be made with marl instead of concrete in the
construction of these pitches. They
would be less costly and it would be possible to change the site from year to
year. The cost, including double bay
nets, mats and stop net, would be approximately £60 in each case.
The Committee’s
instructions are desired.
Cricket in the Parks – Practice
Pitches
9818
Resolved:- That the use of
practice pitches in various parks in connection with the coaching scheme to be
sponsored by the Birmingham Public Parks Association, as referred to in the
foregoing report, be granted; and that
the same facilities be granted to other organisations, if required, provided
always that the pitches are not monopolised by the Leagues, and individual
Clubs are given affair share.
Additional Double Bay Practice
Pitches
9819
Resolved:- That four additional
double bay practice pitches be laid down in 1950, one at Selly Oak Park and
three at other parks or Recreation Grounds, subject to suitable sites being
found; further that, as an experiment, marl instead of concrete be used for the
construction of these pitches at an estimated cost, including double bay nets,
etc, of £60 each.
6th
February 1950 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1)
Minute No. 9795, approval given to removal of Bandstand.
6th
March1950 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Resolution of the Allotments Committee – Allotments in
Parks and Recreation Grounds
The following resolution of the Allotments Committee was
received:-
Allotments in Parks and
Recreation Grounds
6876 Resolved:-
That this Committee agree to give possession to the Parks Committee of
the sites set out below at present used as allotments from the dates indicated
in each case, namely: -
(From a list:-)
King’s Heath Park - 31st December 1950
9855 Resolved:- That the foregoing resolution of the
Allotments Committee be approved.
Resolution of the Allotments Committee – General Release of Allotment Sites in Various Parks and Recreation Grounds
Resolution of the Allotments Committee – General Release of Allotment Sites in Various Parks and Recreation Grounds
The following resolution of the Allotments Committee was received:-
Minute No. 6689 Allotments in Parks and Recreation
Grounds
Your Chairman and Mr. J. Archer
met representatives of the Parks Committee to discuss the sites taken over by
your Committee for allotment purposes under the Cultivation of Lands Allotments
Order 1939. The General Manager of the
Parks Department pointed out that the lands under consideration come under
three headings in order of priority in the Parks Committee’s programme.
1. Parks which are at present too small where the
land is required as breathing spaces and to meet the Parks Committee’s
commitments for organised games.
2. Land at present cultivated as allotments which
prevents the proper layout of the park.
3. Land required as an amenity value to carry out
the broad policy of the parks Committee to beautify parks.
The following sites which come
under the first heading are urgently required by the parks Committee.
(From a list:-)
King’s Heath Park – 90 plots
After a full discussion as to the
priority of this matter, your representatives agreed, subject to the
Committee’s approval, that possession should be given as hereunder.
(From a list:-)
King’s Heath Park – 31st
December 1950
................
9857 Resolved:- That the foregoing resolution of the
Allotments Committee be approved.
Alderman Alldridge submitted the following report of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
King’ Heath Park - Repairs to
Conservatory
I have to report that the
following tenders have been received for general repairs, and interior and
exterior decorations to the conservatory adjoining King’s Heath House:-
James Broomfield & Son,
Belgrave
Road. B’ham. 12. £90-0-0
G. Stubbings, Ltd.,
Streetly
Rd, Erdington, 23. £96-0-0
W. Thornhill,
Albert
Rd. Handsworth, 21. £101-0-0
Ernest G. Briggs,
Nansen
Rd. B’ham. 11. £109-7-0
G.E. Davis,
Moseley
Rd. B’ham. 12. £122-0-0
An amount of £400 was allowed in
your current year’s Estimates to cover greenhouse work generally at this park,
and the carrying out of repairs above referred to will not result in the
approximate actual expenditure as submitted to the Finance Committee being
exceeded.
Special Orders
Special Orders
Since the last meeting of the
Sub-Committee, the following orders for £50 and over have been placed:-
(From a list:-)
King’s Heath Park
Re-thatching and
wiring aviary. H.
Mellor & Sons,
Order D.1691 Burton-on-Trent £100. 0. 0.
The Committee’s authority for the
above-mentioned expenditure is desired.
King’ Heath Park - Repairs to Conservatory
9913 Resolved:- That the tender of James Broomfield and Son
for general repairs to the conservatory
at King’s Heath Park, as referred to in the foregoing report, in the sum of £90
be accepted.
Special Order
9917 Resolved:- That the action of the General Manager with
regard to the Special Orders detailed in the foregoing report, be approved and
confirmed.
6th March
1950 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 EF/4)
Kings Heath Park - Buildings
Repairs to Conservatory:
Contractor: Broomfield &
Son. Cost: £90.
Parks Committee Minute 9913 dated 6.3.50
Re-thatching and wiring aviary: Contractor: H. Mellor & Sons. Cost: £100.
Parks Committee Minute 9917 dated 6.3.50.
3rd April
1950 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Denton submitted the
following report of the General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Staff
(a) Resignations
Since the last
meeting of your Committee the resignations as set out in Appendix “E” have been
received.
Appendix “E”
Manual Staff – Resignations
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Bottomley, J.T.
(31)
Designation: Garden Labr.
(a)
Where employed: King’s Heath Park
Date Ceased: 11.2.50.
Purchase of
Equipment
Provision has been
made in next year’s Estimates for the acquisition of the undermentioned
equipment. The type and make of
equipment has been found most suitable in the past and as delivery in certain
cases may be somewhat lengthy, authority is requested for the purchase to be
proceeded with in order that delivery may be affected as soon as possible after
1st April next:
(From a list:-)
Kings Heath
Park 1 Ransomes “Ripper” Mower £20
1
“Eziwheel” Truck £20
1
Ransomes “Astral” Mower, 14” £20
...........
The Committee’s
instructions are requested.
Purchase of Equipment
9978 Resolved:-
That authority be given for the purchase of the various items of
equipment as more particularly set out in the foregoing report to be proceeded
with ...........
Councillor Gurden submitted the
following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Erection and Hire of Stages,
Proscenium Arches, Dressing Room Frames and Flooring
Tenders were invited both through
the Press and by direct invitation, and the following have been received from
four firms, as shown in the attached schedule.
Tenders were also invited for the
provision of flooring in the auditorium of the Entertainments marquees at
various parks, but only Scaffolding (Great Britain) Ltd. are able to undertake
this work.
...................
The Committee’s instructions are
requested, and the Town Clerk authorised to prepare the necessary contract.
Entertainments
in the Parks, 1950
Inclusive
Tender for Erection and Hire of Stages, Proscenium Arches, Dressing Room and
Foyer Frames and Flooring for Dressing Rooms and Back Stage
(From a list:-)
Park: King’s Heath
Period of Hire: 26th
June – 26th August
Total Hire Period Weeks: 9
Names of Firms and Inclusive
Tenders:
Mills Scaffold Co. Ltd. £44. 0. 0.
Scaffolding (G.B.) Ltd. -
Security Scaffolding Ltd. £88. 17. 6.
Norstel Scaffolding & Hire Ltd -
Erection and Hire of Stages,
Proscenium Arches, Dressing Room Frames and Flooring – Entertainments in the
Parks, 1950
10010 Resolved:-
That the tender of Mills Scaffold Co. Ltd. for the erection and hire of
stages, proscenium arches, dressing room frames and flooring as more
particularly referred toin the foregoing report in the sum of £314. 5. 0d. be
accepted; .................. and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare
and seal any necessary contracts with the two foregoing firms.
1st May
1950 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Denton submitted the
following report of the General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Various Parks – Collection of
Monies
With reference to your Minute No.
1328, I find upon investigation that money is collected at 63 places for
departmental services, of which 24 are provided with safes and 39 are without
safes, as shown in the lists below:-
King’s Heath Park is in the list headed
“Without Safes”
At the parks and recreation
grounds where safes are not provided, the Officer-in-Charge is responsible for
making his own arrangements for the safe custody of departmental monies until
banked. In consequence, at weekends,
where he is non-resident, there is no alternative but for him to take the money
home. This arrangement does not appear
to be a desirable one, as it tends to place unnecessary temptation in the way
of low salaried employees and to open up an avenue for defalcations. In consequence, the Sub-Committee may wish to
consider the desirability of providing at such places an “appointed place” where
departmental money must be kept until banked, or until collected by the staff
of the City Treasurer’s Department.
The cheapest, and probably the
best, method is to provide small wall safes, size 8¾“ x 6¼“ x 4 1/8“ fixed in
the wall of a brick building, and in floor concrete where there are timber
buildings only. The cost for 39 safes of
the size suggested would be £216. 18. 9., to which would have to be added the
cost of building in. There is no special sum allocated in the Estimates for
1950/51 for this expenditure, but the work, if carried out by direct labour,
could be charged against the sum included in annual recurring expenditure to
cover the cost of the Artisans’ wages and the materials used by them.
If these suggested arrangements are
put into operation, the City Treasurer’s Department are satisfied both as
regards the existing method of collection of monies and the insurance against
theft.
The Committee’s instructions are
requested.
Staff
(a) Resignations
Since the last
meeting of your Committee the resignations as set out in Appendix “D” have been
received.
Appendix “D”
Manual Staff – Resignations
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Mahon, P. (47)
Designation: Games Att.
Where employed: King’s Heath Park
Date Ceased: 30.3.50.
Use of Parks
Since your last
meeting, the use of parks has been granted to various organizations, details of
which are contained in Appendix “H”.
Appendix “H”
Use of Parks
Organisation: King’s Heath Scout Troop
Date: 10.6.50.
Name of Park: King’s Heath Park
Purpose: Annual Wolf Cub
Sports
Police Report –
Accidents and Minor Offences
During the month
of March there were 28 serious accidents dealt with in the parks and the
patients sent to hospital. 208 minor injuries
were attended to and the patients sent home.
Details of the serious accidents are given in Appendix “J”.
Appendix “J”
Police Report – Serious Accidents
Date: 7.3.50
Park: King’s Heath Park
Name and Age: Hilda Nanson (35)
Nature of Injury: Seizure
Cause of Injury: Natural causes
Various Parks – Collection of Monies
10083
Resolved:- That approval be
given to the installation of small safes, either in the walls or embedded in
concrete in the floors in the case of timber buildings, at the various parks
and recreation grounds at present without safes, more particularly referred to
in the foregoing report, at an estimated total cost of £216. 18s. 9d.
Use of Parks
10096 Resolved:-
That the granting of permission for the use of Parks by various
organizations, as detailed in Appendix “H” to the foregoing report, be approved
and confirmed.
Councillor Gurden submitted the following report of the Recreation and
Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Plays and Entertainments – Amplifying
Equipment
An advertisement was recently inserted in the
Press inviting tenders for the hire of Amplifying Equipment required for the
Summer season of entertainment.
Quotations have been received from six firms,
and four of these have quoted for all the apparatus required:-
Walker Bros. (Electrical Engineers) Ltd.,
Quality House, Temple Row, B’ham 2. £576-0-10
F.C. Brown,
258 Baldwins Lane, Hall Green, 28. £585-0- 0
The Magneta Time Co. Ltd.,
30 Sherlock Street, B’ham. 5. £718-15- 0
Lee, Beesley & Co. Ltd.,
41 Snow Hill, B’ham. 4. £1,259-
0- 0
Mr. M. Hindmarsh of 262, Lickey Road, Rednal,
has quoted the sum of £224-10-0. for the equipment required at Rookery, King’s Heath
and Aston Parks, totalling 20 weeks’ hire out of the 45 required.
“Telecoms” of 11, Deepdale Avenue, Sheldon, B’ham.
26. have quoted the sum of £648. for the equipment required at Rookery, Small
Heath and King’s Heath Parks, making a period of 24 weeks’ hire out of the 45
required.
Walker Bros. (Electrical Engineers) Ltd. have
supplied the equipment during the last two years, and have carried out their
contracts in a highly satisfactory manner.
The “Tannoy” equipment used by this firm is of a very high quality.
The Committee’s instructions are required.
Hire of Amplifiers and Equipment
10129 Resolved:- That the tender of Walker Bros., (Electrical
Engineers) Ltd., for hire of amplifiers and equipment for the summer season of entertainment
in the parks, as referred to in the foregoing report, in the sum of £576. 0. 10d.,
be accepted, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and seal the
necessary contract.
The following report of the General Manager was submitted:-
Tenancy of One Room – Miss Thomas
– King’s Heath Park
As your Committee
are no doubt aware, one room at King’s Heath House is let to a Miss Thomas, for
5/- per week. Miss Thomas who is about
94 years of age and who was suffering from loss of memory, has been removed to
a Christadelphian Hospital.
I would inform
you that the rent of this room is now in arrears to an amount of £5-15-0. –
approximately 28 weeks in arrears. Since
Miss Thomas is not likely to leave the hospital again, this money will not be
obtainable, and it is suggested that this tenancy might be terminated.
As the tenancy
is controlled under the Rent Restrictions Act, it will be necessary to obtain a
Court order to put this into effect.
Your Committee’s
consent to this proposal is requested.
Tenancy of One Room – Miss Thomas – King’s Heath Park
10144 Resolved:- That having regard to the circumstances set
out in the foregoing report, the General Manager be instructed to endeavour to
obtain the signature of Miss Thomas, terminating her tenancy of the room at
King’s Heath House; and that in the event of his failure to do so the Town
Clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps under the Rent Restrictions Act
to obtain a court order for the termination of Miss Thomas’ tenancy.
3rd July
1950 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Denton presented the following report of the General
Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Staff
(a)
Appointments
Since the last
meeting of your Committee, the appointments as set out in Appendix “D” have
been made.
Appendix “D”
Staff –
Appointments
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Martin, L. (56)
Designation: Games Att.
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date of Entering
Service: 1.4.50
Wages: £5. 0.
0.
Name & Age: Roberts, W. (49)
Designation: Games Att.
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date of Entering
Service: 30.5.50
Wages: £5. 0.
0.
Name & Age: Haycock, H.
(23)
Designation: Games Att.
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date of Entering
Service: 10.5.50
Wages: £5. 0.
0.
(b)
Resignations
Since the last
meeting of your Committee, the appointments as set out in Appendix “E” have
been received.
Appendix “E”
Staff – Resignations
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Martin, L. (56)
Designation: Games Att.
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date Ceased: 13.5.50
(c)
Improved Service Pay
I beg to submit
in Appendix “F” a list of applications received and recommended for the
Committee’s approval, the payments to take effect from the dates stated.
Appendix “F”
Staff – Improved Service
Pay
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Evason, H.W. (47)
Designation: Foreman Gdr.
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date Commenced: 29.11.34
Grant Recommended: 1/-
To date from: 12.6.50
Staff Appointments
10223 Resolved:-
That the various appointments
made to fill existing vacancies on the manual staff, as detailed in Appendix
“D” to the foregoing report, be approved and confirmed.
Improved Service Pay
10224 Resolved:-
That authority be given for the payment of Improved Service Pay to the
employees named in Appendix “F” to the foregoing report, at the rates and from the
dates stated therein.
Accidents in Parks
Hereon the General Manager reported that
he had been in communication with the Commissioner for the County of Birmingham
area of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, and it had now been agreed at an
interview, as follows:-
Memorandum of Interview
Monday – 26th June 1950 4.30
p.m.
Thursday - 29th June, 1950 3.30 p.m.
Brigadier Haine (Deputy
General Manager
County
Commissioner (Chief
Clerk
St. John’s
Ambulance Brigade (Inspector
Smith
First Aid Treatment in the Parks
Monday
26.6.50.
Mr. Allen
briefly summarised the main requirements of the Committee by way of help from
the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. He
mentioned that previous attempts to obtain the service of the St. John’s
Ambulance men at Cricket and Football matches had not been very successful.
After general
discussion, it was agreed that the Committee’s requirements would be classed in
three degrees of priority and Brigadier Haine promised to put the requests to a
conference of the District Commanders, and to communicate with the Department
again after the conference had been held.
The three classes were as follows:-
Priority I.
August Bank Holiday,
Sunday 6th and Monday 7th August between the hours of 11
a.m. and 6 p.m. at the following parks:-
Cannon Hill, Handsworth, Perry, Perry Hall P.F’s, Pype Hayes and Ward
End.
Priority II.
During the
school holiday period from the 22nd
July until the 10th September.
Saturdays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays 11
a.m. to 6 p.m.
At the parks
listed above, and in addition – Aston, Selly Oak and Sennelleys parks.
Priority III.
As Priority II. with
the addition of the following where games are played. Billesley Common, Highbury Pk, King’s Heath
Pk, King George V, Lyndon P.F’s, Summerfield Pk. and Witton Lakes.
Deputy General Manager,
Chief Clerk, Inspector Smith.
Mr. Allen stated
that the Committee would be prepared to make an appropriate refreshment allowance
to any men on duty.
Thursday,
29.6.50.
Brig. Haine
visited the office and stated that consequent upon his conference the St. John’s
Ambulance Brigade would guarantee to carry out the duties of the Priority I
parks and hoped to carry out duties of the Priority II sites, efforts would be
made to provide assistance at the Priority III parks, but this was rather
doubtful.
The Brigade
preferred a system of refreshment vouchers rather than refreshment allowances
payable to the men and it was agreed that the appropriate number of vouchers
would be forwarded by this Department to Brigade H.Q. for transmission to the
men together with their duty cards.
The general
arrangements agreed upon were that the Ambulance men would operate in pairs one
pair to each park, they would report on arrival and on departure to the
Officer-in-Charge or his deputy.
The volunteers will
make use of the Parks Police First Aid rooms, and they will render a report to
the Officer-in-Charge of all accidents dealt with by them.
10227 Resolved:-
That the action taken as set out in the foregoing report of the General
Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee, and by the General Manager as set out above
on the question of assistance of members of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade in
certain of the parks during general holiday and school holiday periods be
approved and confirmed.
Alderman Alldridge submitted the
following report of the Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
Provision of
Fencing – Various Sites
I have to report
that requests have been received in respect of fencing requirements,
particulars and estimated costs of which are given below, and for which no
provision is made in your current financial Estimates:-
(a) King’s
Heath Park – Avenue Road Frontage
A communication
has been received through the City Engineer and Surveyor from a local resident,
pointing out the danger to which children are exposed by the lack of adequate
fencing in the proximity of the railway to which access can be gained from the
highway. The length of fencing required
to overcome this danger is approximately 90 yards and it is suggested that this
be carried out in 5’ 6” sawn Oak paling.
Estimated cost £90.
(b) .................
In view of the
foregoing requests and to the fact that certain larger parks such as
Summerfield, King’s Heath and Small Heath are in urgent need of replacement
fencing or repairs to existing your Committee may agree that the amounts
allocated in the revenue Estimates under this heading should be revised if
necessary at the expense of other items, e.g. the savings referred to in the
preceding report.
The Committee’s
instructions are desired.
Special
orders
Since the last
meeting of the Sub-Committee the following orders for £50 and over have been
placed:-
(From a list:-)
King’s Heath Park
Taking down existing Rudders
& Paynes, £88- 0- 0.
fencing and supplying Ltd. B’ham.
100 yds. fence.
Order D.1983.
The Committee’s
authority for the above mentioned expenditure is desired.
Provision of Fencing – Various
Sites
10248 Resolved:-
That authority be given for the provision of fencing at the various
sites as follows:-
(a) King’s
Heath Park, Avenue Road Frontage.
Estimated cost £90. 0. 0d.
(b) .......................
Special Orders
10249 Resolved:-
That the action of the General Manager with regard to Special Orders
detailed in the foregoing report be approved and confirmed.
Councillor Gurden submitted the
following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
King’s Heath Park – Old Age
Pensioners Party
An application has been received from
the King’s Heath Branch of the National Federation of Old Age Pensions
Associations to arrange for 200 of their members to attend the concert party
performance at King’s Heath Park on Tuesday 4th July. The Branch has asked for some concession in
the price of admission, and has suggested that they might have 80 of the 2/-
seats at 1/6d. each, and 120 of the 1/- seats at 9d. each. It would be possible to arrange for the back rows
of the 2/- seats and the front rows of the 1/- seats to be allocated to the
Branch on this date.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
King’s Heath Park – Old Age Pensioners Party
10260
Resolved:- That authority be
given for the issue of 200 tickets, at a total cost of £10. 0. 0d.,
irrespective of the value of individual tickets, in respect of the attendance of
the members of the King’s Heath Branch of the National Federation of Old Age
Pensioners Association at a Concert Party performance in King’s heath Park on
the 4th July, 1950.
The General Manager submitted the following report:-
King’s Heath Park House – Tenancy of Miss G. Summers
On Minute No. 8530 the General Manager reported that as a
result of action taken by the Town Clerk, Miss Summers would be giving up her
tenancy of King’s Heath Park House on the 4th July.
10309
Resolved:- That the question of
the provision of refreshments at King’s Heath Park be left in the hands of the
General Manager with a view to his making arrangements with the Civic
Restaurants Department for the provision of such refreshments on a week-to-week basis for the remainder of the
present summer season: that a decision as to a long term policy for the
provision of refreshments at this park be left in abeyance for the time being:
and that Minute No. 8530 be discharged.
3rd July
1950 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1)
As a result of action by the Town Clerk, Miss Summers gave
up the tenancy of Kings Heath Park House on 4th July 1950. By Minute No. 10309 of 3rd July
1950 resolved that the Civic Restaurants Dept. be asked to provide refreshments
on a week-to-week basis for the remainder of the 1950 summer season.
3rd July
1950 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 EF/5)
Kings Heath Park - Layout
Fencing: Cost: App.
£90. Parks Committee Minute 10248 dated
3.7.50.
Taking down existing fencing and supplying 100 yds.
fence: Contractor: Rudders & Paynes
Ltd. Cost: £88. Parks Committee Minute 10249 dated 3.7.50.
31st July
1950 - BCC Parks Committee Minute
Catering – King’s Heath Park
The following resolution of the Catering Committee was
submitted:-
Catering – King’s Heath Park
With reference to Minute 418(d)
submitted resolution of the Parks Committee:-
Resolved:- That (1) the resolution of the Parks
Committee be received and entered on the Minutes.
(2) That the Parks Committee be informed that
this Committee consider the decision of the Parks Committee to leave the
question of refreshments in the hands of the General Manager of the Parks
Committee with a view to his making arrangements with the Restaurants
Department for the provision of refreshments on a week to week basis for the
remainder of the present summer season, is not a reasonable and equitable proposal,
it being the Catering Committee’s opinion that no Commercial Catering
Establishment could be expected to operate on sound business lines on a week to
week basis, and that the Parks Committee be requested to agree to the Officers
of the two Committees conferring with a view to arrangements being made for
catering by the Restaurants Department in King’s Heath Park for the remainder
of the present summer season on the same basis as that at present existing in
other parks.
(3) That the Chairman be authorised to approve
the terms of the reply to be sent to the General Manager of the Parks Department
herein.
On the point raised in the foregoing resolution that it was
not reasonable and equitable that the Restaurants Department should be required
to arrange for the provision of refreshments at King’s Heath Park on a week to week
basis, the Committee were reminded that at the time the original decision was
taken the conditions at King’s Heath House were uncertain, both with regard to
certain persons occupying the premises and also in respect of work which it was
necessary to carry out there.
10323
Resolved:- That having regard to
the present circumstances the General Manager be instructed to arrange with the
General Manager of the Restaurants Department for the provision of refreshments
at King’s Heath Park throughout the period to the end of the current summer
season, and that the position be further reviewed after that time.
Alderman Denton presented the following report of the General
Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Staff
(d)
Resignations
Since the last
meeting of your Committee, the appointments as set out in Appendix “E” have
been received.
Appendix “E”
Staff – Resignations
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Roberts, W (49)
Designation: Games Att.
Where employed: King’s
Heath Park
Date Ceased: 30.5.50
Use of Parks
I beg to submit in
Appendix “H” particulars of applications made for the use of parks.
Appendix “H”
Use of Parks
Organisation: Elim
Gospel Alliance
Date: 12.7.50
Name of Park: King’s
Heath Park
Purpose: Religious Meeting
Police Reports –
Accidents
During the month of
June there were thirty-seven serious accidents dealt with in the parks and the
patients sent to hospital.
Two hundred and ten
minor injuries were attended to and the patients sent home for further
treatment. Details of the serious accidents
are given in Appendix “J”.
Appendix “J”
Police Report – Serious Accidents
Date: 18.6.50
Park: King’s Heath Park
Name and Age: Colin
Powers (14)
Nature of Injury: Injury
to right hand
Cause of Injury: Playing
cricket
Use of Parks
10339
Resolved:- That the granting of
permission for the use of Parks as detailed in Appendix “H” to the foregoing
report, be approved and confirmed.
2nd
October 1950 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
The following report of the General Manager was submitted:-
Plays and Entertainments in the
Parks, 1950
(The following are relevant abstracts from a very long report which
contains number of consolidated statistics:-)
(a) Plays
ii. Amateur
Response from amateur dramatic
societies was again poor this year, and leading societies were reapproached
through the Birmingham and District Theatre Guild. Six applications were received and the Guild
recommended only The New Dramatic Company’s production of “Clutterbuck” by Benn
W. Levy and suggested that the Birmingham School of Speech Training and
Dramatic Art be approached again in view of their success in the 1949
season. Eventually the school agreed to
produce “The Lady from Edinburgh” by Aimee Stuart.
These popular plays were presented
on Saturday evenings and both productions were of a high standard. Bad weather affected a number of Saturdays
this year but fair sized audiences supported these plays as can be seen from
the attached Schedule “B”.
Schedule
“B”
Audiences
and Receipts at Plays given by Local Amateur Societies
Play: “Clutterbuck”
Society: The New Dramatic Company
Park: King’s heath
Attendance: 204
Receipts: £13. 8. 6.
Play: “The Lady from Edinburgh”
Society: The Birmingham School of Speech Training and
Dramatic Art
Park: King’s heath
Attendance: 169
Receipts: £11. 11. 6.
Voluntary Chief Marshals –
Entertainments
Voluntary Chief Marshals rendered
valuable assistance at certain parks where entertainments were given during the
past season. The following schedule of
suggested payments for subsistence and travelling, etc., is submitted for the
Committee’s consideration. Payment is
estimated at the rate of £1. 1. 0d. per week for attendance at evening
performances. .................
Park: King’s Heath
Name: Mr. F.H. Mapp
Period of Service: 9 weeks (evenings)
Suggested Payment: £9. 9. 0.
Payment last year: £10. 10. 0. for 10 weeks
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Voluntary Chief Marshals – Entertainments in the Parks
1950
10514
Resolved:- That approval be
given to the payment to the voluntary Chief Marshal at the entertainments in the
parks during the 1950 season, of the following amounts:
(From a list:-)
F.H. Mapp £9 9s 0d.
6th
November 1950 - BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Denton presented the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Use of Parks
Since your last
meeting, the use of parks has been granted to the organisations, details of
which are contained in Appendix “D”.
Appendix D”
Use of Parks
Organisation: King’s Heath Evangelical
Church
Date: 27.8.50
Name of Park: King’s Heath Park
Purpose: Religious Meeting
Staff
(f) Appointments
Since the last
meeting of your Committee, the appointments as set out in Appendix “E” have
been made.
Appendix “E”
Staff –
Appointments
No. 2 District
Name & Age: Clemons, H.
(61)
Designation: Gdn. Lab.
Where employed: King’s Heath Park
Date of Entering
Service: 9.8.50
Wages: £5. 0.
0.
(g) Resignations
Since the last
meeting of your Committee, the appointments as set out in Appendix “F” have
been received.
Appendix “F”
Staff –
Resignations
District No. 2
Name & Age: Green, J.A.
(18)
Designation: Female Worker
Where employed: King’s Heath Park
Date Ceased: 8.7.50
Police Reports –
Accidents
During the months of
July, August and September there were 92 serious accidents treated in the parks
and the patients sent to hospital.
1,158 minor injuries were dealt with and the patients sent home for
further treatment. Details of the
serious accidents are given in Appendix “J”.
Appendix “J”
Police Report – Serious Accidents
Date: 2.9.50
Park: King’s Heath
Park
Name and Age: Freda Dyson (22)
Nature of Injury: Punctured wound left ankle
Cause of Injury: Punctured foot with Putting
Green Flag
Date: 14.9.50
Park: King’s Heath
Park
Name and Age: A. Whiteley O/C
Nature of Injury: Severe cut thumb
Cause of Injury: Pruning Dahlias
Use of Parks
10555 Resolved:- That the granting of permission for the use of Parks as detailed in Appendix “D” to the foregoing report, be approved and confirmed.
Staff Appointments
10561 Resolved:-
That the various appointments made to fill existing vacancies on the
manual staff, as detailed in Appendix “E” to the foregoing report, be approved
and confirmed.
Alderman Alldridge submitted the following report of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
King’s Heath Park – New Span
Green House
I have to report that the
following alternative quotations have been received from Foster & Pearson,
Ltd., Beeston, Nottingham, for the delivery and erection of a new span
greenhouse, size 70ft. x 12ft., including a continuous propagating frame along
one side, iron staging and heating installation. The glazing allowed for in the estimate is 24
oz. horticultural glass cut elliptically.6
Estimate No. 1
Construction throughout in Red
Deal £939-17-
9
Estimate No. 2
Greenhouse superstructure in
Siamese Yang,
side frame in precast concrete
sections,
with 17 loose top lights in Deal £1.071-11-
3
An amount of £950 is allowed in
your Estimates for providing an additional house, which is very necessary at
this park, and I recommend consideration being given to estimate No. 2 since
this Oriental hardwood is more durable, does not require painting, and is not
subject to licence.
With regard to the continuous side
frame which is also to be heated, I feel your Committee will agree that the
precast concrete construction is a much more satisfactory one where heat and
damp are concentrated. Your Committee
may recall their recent decision with regard to new constructions at Handsworth
Park where Siamese Yang was in that case authorised.
The labour and materials involved
in brick foundation walls, etc, which would be performed by the Artisan Staff,
is estimated to cost approximately £120.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Childrens’ Playgrounds
Upon Minutes Nos. 754 and 791 of
your Committee relating to children’s playgrounds, I am setting out herein for
the information of the Committee a list of sites under their control which, in
my opinion, exist solely for the purpose of the recreation of children of
school age, and as such may be considered potentially to attract grant for
their restoration and maintenance within the provisions of the Education Act,
1944. The schedule contains recreation
grounds which are used entirely for the purposes referred to, and also other
sites where only a portion is for children’s recreation, the remainder being
utilised for normal public open space purposes.
In the latter case, naturally only the children’s portion has been taken
into consideration.
It will be remembered that in
connection with those of your Committee’s sites in central areas, the Minister
of Education has already approved the principle of grant aid both for
restoration and maintenance; the work has been carried out, and your Committee
are now in the relationship of agents for the Education Committee on this
matter.
The schedule indicates the
approximate cost of restoration of equipment to reasonable standards and
proportionate maintenance based on a complete survey carried out by your
Department. Theoretically, there is no
difference in the principle involved in dealing with these sites to that
already approved by the Minister of Education, and the possibility of the
attraction of grant should, no doubt, resolve itself into one of degree.
In accordance with the
instructions contained in your Minute, I am submitting the schedule to the
Chief Education Officer, and this is in the nature of an interim report, in
order that you can be fully acquainted with the financial aspect involved.
It will be noted that included in
the schedule is a reference to the proposed children’s recreation ground at
King’s Heath Park referred to under your Continued Minute No. 791. In this connection I have to report that the
Allotments Committee are surrendering the site for the purpose approved by your
Committee upon the 1st January next year.
A further report will be submitted
in due course.
Playgrounds forming part of
Site
Kings’ Heath Park:
Area: 1200
Estimated: £1,100
Maintenance: £90
King’s Heath Park – New Span Green House
10580
Resolved:- That the quotation of
Foster and Pearson Limited, for the delivery and erection of a new Span green
house at King’s Heath Park as more particularly detailed in the foregoing
report, to be constructed in Siamese Yang Wood in the sum of £1,071. 1. 3d., be accepted, it being understood that
the foundation work is to be performed by departmental labour at an approximate
cost of £120. 0. 0d; that the matter be reported to the City Council as an
exception to Standing Orders; and the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare and
seal the necessary contract.
6th
November 1950 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 EF/5)
Kings Heath Park - Buildings
New Span Greenhouse (Siamese Young Wood): Contractor: Foster & Pearson Ltd. Cost: £1071. 11. 3d. Parks Committee Minute 10580 dated 6.11.50.
4th
December 1950 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Alderman Alldridge submitted the following report of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
King’s Heath Park – Proposed
Children’s Playground
With reference to Continued Minute
No. 791, I am advised by the Allotments Department that the allotments tenancy
of this site will be surrendered at the end of this year, and that the site
selected by the Committee for the purpose will, therefore, be available from
the 1st January. No doubt it
would be your wish to include the amount for the provision and equipment of a
playground in next year’s Estimates, but I would point out that the matter is
one which is affected by current discussions with the Education Committee
regarding Grant Aid under the 1944 Act, and the financial policy will,
therefore, to a certain extent be affected by certain test cases which are to
be submitted to the Minister as a result of a recent conference.
King’s Heath Park – Proposed Children’s Playgroundq
10705
Proposed:- That an amount be
included in the Committee’s estimates for 1951/52 in connection with the
provision of playground equipment at King’s Heath Park.
In the absence of Councillor Gurden, the Chairman submitted
the following report of the Recreation and Entertainments Sub-Committee:-
Entertainments in the Parks,
1951 – Suggested Programme
Average attendances at parks where
summer theatres were erected last year were as follows:-
(From a list:-)
King’s Heath Park No.
of weeks 9 Average Attendance 235
In the light of these attendances
and experience gained in previous seasons with regard to attendances,
deployment of equipment and available resources, the following suggested
programme has been drawn up
(From a list:-)
Park: King’s
Heath
Dates: 25th
June – 11th August
No. of Weeks: 7
No. of Weeks 1950: 9
...................
Average attendances were
approximately the same at Ward End and King’s Heath Parks and a seven week
season is suggested at each of these parks.
This is an increase of one week at Ward End Park, and a reduction of two
weeks at King’s Heath Park. Evening
performances are much better supported at King’s Heath Park than the children’s
matinees, and in view of this the season at this park is planned to cover only
the most popular two weeks of the school holidays.
...............
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Festival of Britain 1951 –
Sites for Fun Fairs and Circuses
With reference to Resolution No.
540 of your Committee, the question of sites for fun fairs and circuses in
connection with the Festival of Britain, 1951, has now been investigated.
The following sites are
available:-
(a) Circuses
and full scale Fun Fairs
Hay Barn Recreation Ground –
site used for circuses on previous occasions.
(b) Full-scale
Fun Fairs
Calthorpe Park – black patch area.
(c) Side
Shows and Light Fun Fairs (e.g. hand operated apparatus)
(From a list:-)
Selly Oak Park
- Area near the right of way used
at Selly Oak Carnival for side shows only.
It will be remembered that in
July, 1946, a report was submitted to the Parks Committee giving particulars of
damage caused by a fun fair at King’s Heath Park, and in December, 1946, in
view of the damage caused by fun fairs at various parks the Committee made a recommendation
to the City Council that fun fairs in the parks be generally discontinued,
except that the right was reserved by your Committee in respect of any special cases. The recommendation was approved. Since that date permission for holding
modified fun fairs has been granted only at Cotteridge Park for the King’s
Norton Carnival, Selly Oak Park for the Selly Oak Carnival, and Handsworth Park
for the Boy Scouts’ Rally and City of Birmingham Show.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Entertainments in the Parks, 1951 – Suggested Programme
10726
Resolved:- That the proposed
arrangements for the entertainments Programme in the Parks, 1951, as generally
set out in the foregoing report, be approved, except that no entertainments be
held in Lightswood Park and that a four weeks season be provided in Summerfield
Park.
Festival of Britain 1951 – Sites for Fun Fairs and
Circuses
10727
Resolved:- That on the
understanding that any concessions are made, only having regard to the Festival
of Britain, 1951, the proposals contained in the foregoing report on sites
where fun fairs and circuses might be provided, as set out in the foregoing
report, be approved; further, that any decisions on questions of detail with
regard to side shows and fun fairs be left in the hands of the General Manager,
subject to report to this Committee from time to time
The following report of the General Manager was submitted:-
King’s Heath Park – Refreshment
Rooms
As a result of action by the Town Clerk,
Miss G. Summers gave up her tenancy of King’s Heath House on the 4th
July last. By Minute No. 10,309, I was
instructed to make arrangements with the Restaurants Department for the
provision of refreshments on a week to week basis for the remainder of the summer
season. The decision as to long term
policy for the provision of refreshments at the park was left in abeyance for
the time being.
I communicated with the
Restaurants Department and asked them to provide refreshments initially upon a
temporary basis until such time that a major scheme of adaptation of the rooms at
King’s Heath House can be put in hand.
The Restaurant Department accordingly provided a normal service at the
park, but having in mind the need to carry out necessary internal decorations
of the refreshment premises before the Spring, the Secretary of the Restaurants
Department has asked what are to be the future catering arrangements at King’s
Heath Park.
A conversion plan prepared by the
City Engineer and Surveyor of the rooms at King’s Heath House into four flats
and refreshment rooms will be available at the meeting. Specifications for this work are in hand,
with a view to the commencement of the work of alterations early next year.
Your Committee may wish to consider
the allocation of the catering rights at this park. Should it be decided to request the Restaurants
Department to provide the refreshments, they will wish to put in hand without delay
the work of internal decoration of the premises.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
King’s Heath Park – Refreshment Rooms
10750
Resolved:- That the plan for the
conversion of rooms at King’s Heath House into four flats and refreshment
rooms, as referred to in the foregoing report, be approved, and that the
question of the allocation of catering rights at King’s Heath Park be referred
to the General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee for consideration and report.
10751 Resolved:- That a Special Meeting of this Committee be
held in the near future, to consider the whole question of catering on sites
under the control of this Committee, and that the General Manager be instructed
to prepare such information as he may consider necessary for submission to this
meeting.
Christmas Trees in various Parks
The Chairman referred to the proposal for the erection of
Christmas trees in various Parks, which had been mentioned in the Press. He said that he had been unable to submit
this proposal to the Committee, which was a matter of urgency, owing to the
proximity of Christmas.
Briefly it was proposed that illuminated Christmas trees
should be provided this year at various sites under the control of the
Committee adjacent to main omnibus routes.
The proposal was that trees should be placed at –
Five Ways Gardens Highgate Park
Kings Norton Green Ward End Park
Harborne (War Lane) Small Heath Park
Aston Park Summerfield Park
After discussion, the suggestion was made that if possible,
Christmas trees should be erected at King’s Heath Park and in St. George’s
Churchyard.
10755
Resolved:- That the foregoing
proposals for the erection of illuminated Christmas trees at –
Five Ways Gardens Highgate Park
Kings Norton Green Ward End Park
Harborne (War Lane) Small Heath Park
Aston Park Summerfield
Park
at a cost of approximately £25. 0. 0d. per tree for erection
and maintenance be approved and confirmed, and that if possible an additional
tree be erected at King’s Heath Park and in St. George’s Churchyard,
respectively.
4th
December 1950 – Parks Department
(Operations Card 55 D1)
By Minute 10750 of the 4th December 1950,
approval given to the plan for the conversion of King’s Heath House into four
flats and a refreshment room. (Not proceeded with, but refer tenancy cards for
details of 2 flats etc.)
31st
December 1950 – Parks Department (Operations Card 55 D1)
Allotments Committee relinquished possession of site used
for allotments on 31st December 1950. (Parks Committee Minute No. 9855, 6th
March 1950)
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