Ongoing research; last updated 11 January 2015
3rd
January 1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Councillor Horton submitted the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Selly Oak Park – Footpath
between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
I have to report that, in
accordance with the instructions of the General Committee passed at their
meeting on Monday last, the 6th instant, I have taken the following
steps regarding the fencing and lighting of the right-of-way across Selly Oak
Park:-
(1) I
have communicated with the City Treasurer on the lines set out hereunder:-
(Copy) Civic
Centre,
Birmingham,
1.
GER/MEL 8th
December, 1954.
Dear Mr. Eames,
Selly
Oak Park - Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
Further to my conversation with
you this afternoon, I have to refer to page 593 of the printed Minutes of the
City Council Meeting held on the 9th October, 1954, which contains
the report of the Parks Committee referring to the policy of closing parks at
night, with particular reference to the footpath referred to above.
Council Minute No. 43,465 approves
generally the report of the Parks Committee except “that part relating to the
closing of Selly Oak Park which matter again be referred back to the Committee
for further consideration”.
At the full meeting of my
Committee held on Monday last, this resolution of the Council was further
discussed, and whilst the Committee still adhered to their previous policy in
regard to the opening of parks generally, in view of the Council’s obvious
direction, they were prepared to recognise the needs of local residents for a
permanent right of way along the line of the footpath under discussion. Accordingly, subject to the Town Clerk
agreeing to the legal aspect of the matter and to the Finance Committee
providing the necessary money, they instructed me to proceed without delay
towards fencing the pathway on each side with access gates to those portions of
the park which would become divided, and to certain essential lighting
requirements in due course.
The view was further held, if it
should be agreed upon the fencing being provided, for the Public Works
Committee at a later stage to make themselves responsible for the permanent
upkeep and lighting of the site as a permanent highway.
The reports which I have received
from my technical officers indicate that the cost of such fencing will be in
the region of £1,325, with a further £930 for the provision of lighting. The fencing figure may possibly be less if a
fencing of lesser height than that quoted for is considered suitable.
I have, therefore, to ask if, as a
matter of urgency, you would consider if the Finance Committee would be
prepared to provide the necessary money over and above my Committee’s current
Estimates.
I have received informal
notification from the Town Clerk that there is no legal objection to the policy
suggested.
I will obtain formal authority for
this communication at the meeting of the General Purposes and Finance
Sub-Committee of my Committee to be held on Monday next.
Yours
sincerely,
(sd.) G.E.E. Ross
General
Manager
J.P. Eames Esq.,
Treasurer of the City
(2) I
have obtained an intimation from the Town Clerk that there is not likely to be
any serious legal objection to the policy suggested on the point of view of any
restrictive covenants.
(3) I
recommend that the height of the fencing should be 4’6” and not 5ft. as was
provided for in the original suggestion, and I have invited firm quotations
from four contractors for the length of fencing of this height, together with
access gates. Each contractor has been
asked to give approximate starting date, based on the receipt of immediate
authority, together with approximate time of completion of the work.
(4) I
am in communication with the City Engineer & Surveyor regarding the
ultimate policy of having the footpath adopted as a public highway.
(5) I
am assuming that the lighting aspect of the footpath can be deferred for
further report pending the implementation of a more urgent fencing policy.
The Sub-Committee’s confirmation
is desired.
There is then a Supplementary
Report of the General Manager:
Selly Oak Park – Footpath
between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
As promised in my report which has
been circulated to your Sub-Committee in regard to the above matter, I have now
obtained quotations and estimates of time of completion for the necessary
fencing work involved.
These are set out hereunder and
subject to the Finance Committee agreeing to provide the necessary money, I
recommend that the quotation of J.E. Turner, Esq, in the sum of £1,034.15.0. be
accepted.
Contractor Amount of Tender Commencing Date
J.E. Turner, Esq.,
309 Cooks Lane,
Tile Cross, 33. £1,034 -15-0. 2 weeks
Rudders & Paynes Ltd.,
Chester St., 6. £1.090-10-0. 2 weeks
John Wright &
Son (Redditch)
Ltd.,
Hewell Road,
Redditch. £1.099-10-0 6 weeks
Durafencing Ltd.,
355, Coventry Rd.,
Small Heath, 10. £1,101-12-0 Not stated.
All firms have undertaken work
satisfactorily for your Department and the quotations include for the provision
of two pairs of 12’ wide gates for the use of gang mowers and six hand gates
for public use, these to be situated at strategic points along the line of the
path.
It will be noticed that the quotations
are lower than the original estimate owing to the fact that as stated in my
previous report, the height of the fencing recommended has been reduced from
5’6” to 4’6”.
Concerning the question of
adoption by the Public Works Committee, the City Engineer and Surveyor states
that his Committee would, in all probability, require the footpath to be
properly made up, fenced and lighted before acceptance of responsibility, and
that in any case he feels that maintenance of the fencing after adoption should
be the responsibility of the Parks Department.
On the Town Clerk’s advice I have
also written to the representative of the Donors in the matter and to keep your
Sub-Committee fully informed I set out hereunder a copy of my letter.
(Copy) 10th
December, 1954
GER/MEL.
Dear Sir,
Selly
Oak Park – Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
You have been kind enough to speak
to my Departmental Chartered Surveyor (Mr. Powell) regarding the problem which
is now occupying the minds of my Committee in the matter of providing a
permanent access through Selly Oak Park along the line of the pathway between
Corisande Road and Gibbins Road.
You have also no doubt, read
several references in the Press indicating that there would appear to be a
strong local demand for such a facility, in view of the fact that the residents
in the Corisande Road area have to make a considerable detour to reach the main
Selly Oak shopping areas.
At the last meeting of the City
Council when this issue was raised, the City Council by vote on the
presentation of my Committee’s report gave unmistakeable indication that they
supported the need for such a facility.
My Committee, on the other hand, were extremely anxious not to embark
upon a policy of opening parks and recreation grounds at night, and were,
therefore, opposed in principle to creating a precedent in respect of Selly Oak
Park, as they felt that similar demands may be created upon other sites in the
City.
Whilst appreciating the position
of the estate dwellers, therefore, at the last meeting of my Committee, it was
decided, if possible, to effect a compromise by fencing off the pathway with
4’6” sawn oak railings, giving a series of adequate access gates to the two
portions of the park so divided, thereby providing in effect, a public right of
way open at all times and adequately lighted.
Should it be possible to put such
a project into effect, the natural sequence from my Committee’s point of view
will, of course, be to endeavour for the pathway to be adopted as a public right
of way, placing the responsibility for its maintenance and lighting upon the
Highway Authority and responsibility for its safe keeping upon the City Police.
Whilst there would appear to be no
serious legal objection, the Town Clerk naturally has advised me to approach
you, in view of the terms of the two Deeds of Gift made by members of your
family, dated 31st December 1919 and the 15th February
1913 which both affect the strip of land in question.
It will be seen that the proposal
does not in any way intend to restrict the public enjoyment of the pathway; it
does, in fact, intend to provide for its full enjoyment over a longer period
than that laid down in the Local Parks Bye-Laws.
In view of the fact that the
public right of way aspect of the matter cannot be entirely ignored and that
the donors intended the land to be used for public open space, I have to ask
you if you would be good enough to enquire if there is likely to be any
objection from members of your family under the covenants.
Yours
faithfully,
(signed) G.E.E. Ross,
General
Manager.
A.W. Gibbins, Esq.,
Secretary,
Birmingham Battery & Metal Co.
Ltd.,
Selly Oak, 29.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Annual Review of Salaries and
Re-gradings
(From a very long and reasoned report the following details emerge:-)
List
Showing Present Grades and Salaries, Grades and Salaries with effect from the 1st
January, 1955 and Recommended Grades and Salaries with effect from 1st
April 1955.
Name & Post: Hughes,
J. O/c Selly Oak
Present Grade: Gr.
III (£9-1-4. - £10-1-4.)
Present Salary: £9-18-10.
+ 4/- I.S.P.
Proposed Grade: Misc. V.
Min. & Max. of Grade: £505 - £565
Proposed Salary: £550
Selly Oak Park – Footpath between Corisande Road and
Gibbins Road
In this connection the Committee also considered the
relative portions of the report of the Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
Report
of the Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee
Your Sub-Committee met on the 20th
December, 1954, and considered the attached report of the General Manager, upon
which they made the recommendations set out in this report.
Selly Oak Park – Footpath
Your Sub-Committee have been
advised of the receipt of the undermentioned communications by the General
Manager concerning the above matter:-
CITY TREASURER’S
DEPARTMENT,
THE COUNCIL
HOUSE,
P.O. BOX 50,
Birmingham, 1.
17th
December, 1954.
DT/L
Your Ref: GER/MEL
Dear Mr. Ross,
Selly
Oak Park – Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
I submitted the subject matter of
your letter of the 8th instant to the Finance Committee at their
meeting this afternoon, when they agreed to provide from revenue during the
current financial year the sum of £2,255 to cover the cost of fencing and
lighting the footpath in Selly Oak Park between Corisande Road and Gibbins
Road.
Yours
sincerely,
(Sgd). J.P. Eames,
Treasurer.
G.E.E. Ross, Esq.,
General Manager,
Parks Dept;
Civic Centre, 1.”
“THE
BIRMINGHAM BATTERY & METAL CO. LTD.
Selly Oak,
Birmingham, 29.
14th
December, 1954.
O/AWG/NGS
GER/MEL
General Manager
City of Birmingham Parks Dept;
P.O. Box No. 91,
Civic Centre, B’ham. 1.
Dear Sir,
Selly
Oak Park – Footpath between Corisande Road, and Gibbins Road.
We thank you for your letter dated
10th December regarding your proposal to provide permanent access through
Selly Oak Park by fencing the existing path which runs diagonally across the
park from Gibbins Road in a north-westerly direction.
“As we understand that no
restriction is contemplated in the recreational facilities provided for users
of the park we have no objection to your proposal, but we hope that due
attention will be paid to the general appearance of the fencing and lamp
standards which you propose to erect since this path crosses the sky line.
Yours
faithfully,
for the
BIRMINGHAM BATTERY & METAL Co. LTD.
(Sgd) A.W. Gibbins,
Secretary.”
Your Sub-Committee have
accordingly instructed the General Manager to arrange for the erection of the
necessary fencing forthwith, and to advise the Town Clerk of the receipt of the
above communications with a view to the completion of the necessary contract
documents. They have also requested the
General Manager to submit a scheme for the provision of lighting facilities at
the earliest opportunity.
16001
Resolved:- That, in connection
with the footpath at Selly Oak Park between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road, as
referred to in the foregoing report:-
(a)
The action of the General Manager in approaching
the Town Clerk and City Treasurer on the lines indicated, be approved;
(b)
The proposal to provide fencing of a height of
4’6” instead of 5’ as originally proposed, be approved;
(c)
The action taken in approaching the City
Engineer and Surveyor regarding the ultimate object of having the footpath
adopted as a public highway, be approved;
(d)
The decision of the Committee contained in
Minute No. 15964 (c) i.e. that the fencing and lighting of the footpath are to
be completed prior to the footpath being opened to the public after the normal
hours of closing parks, be re-affirmed.
16002
Resolved:- That the quotation of
Mr. J.E. Turner for the provision of fencing at the Selly Oak Footpath, between
Corisande Road and Gibbins Road, as referred to in the foregoing reports, in
the sum of £1.034. 15. 0d., be accepted; and that the Town Clerk be instructed
to prepare and seal the necessary contract documents.
16003
Resolved:- That the action of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee, referred to in their report, in instructing
the General Manager to arrange for the erection of the fencing of the footpath
at Selly Oak Park forthwith, and to submit a scheme for the provision of
lighting facilities thereat at the earliest opportunity, be approved and
confirmed.
Annual Review of Salaries and Re-gradings
16113
Resolved:- That subject to the
approval of the Establishment Committee and to the receipt of any further
instructions from that Committee, concerning the salaries of Senior Officers
and as to the final determination of the Miscellaneous Grades, the proposals as
set out below for the revision of salaries of the various posts concerned be
approved, for adoption with effect from 1st April, 1955:-
From a long list:-
Post and Name of Officer: O-C
Selly Oak Park, J.E. Hughes
Present Grade and Salary: £10.1.4.
p.w. plus 10/-d. I.S.P. (sic)
Proposed Grade and commencing
salary
with
effect from 1st April, 1955: Miscellaneous
V. - £550
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted the following report of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
Selly Oak Park – Footpath
16139 This portion
of the report was dealt with earlier in the Meeting on the report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee.
3rd
January 1955 - Parks Department (Operations Card 26 D2)
Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
On 3rd January 1955 the Parks Committee were
informed that the Finance Committee had agreed to provide from revenue during
the current financial year (1954/55) the sum of £2,255 to cover the cost of
fencing and lighting of the footpath.
The Committee were also informed that the donor of Selly Oak Park
(Birmingham Battery & Metal Co. Ltd.) were agreeable to the footpath being
fenced. (P.C. Min. 16001 of 3/1/1955
refers) (For details of cost of fencing
etc refer “B” Card.) - P.C. Min. No.
16,211 of 7/2/1955 also refers.
3rd
January 1955 - Parks Department (Operations Card 26 EF5)
Layout
Fencing of footpath across park (4’ 6” sawn oak). Contractor:
J.E. Turner. Cost: £1.034 15.
0d. Parks Comm. Min., date 3/1/55, No.
16002
7th February
1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Resolution of Finance Committee re fencing and Lighting
of Footpath, Selly Oak Park
The following resolution of the Finance Committee was
submitted:-
Parks Committee – Selly Oak Park
– Proposed Footpath
17,245 Resolved:-
That the Report be received and entered on the Minutes and that no objection
be raised to the fencing and lighting of the footpath running through Selly Oak
Park between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road, at an estimated cost of £2,255;
further, that the expenditure be met out of revenue and charged accordingly during
the current financial year
16211 Resolved:-
That the foregoing resolution be received and entered on the Minutes.
Councillor Horton submitted the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Various Parks – Car Parking
By your Sub-Committee’s Minute No.
2,608, I was instructed to report as to the requirements in various parks for
the reservation of areas for the parking of vehicles.
I set out below particulars of
those sites where it is considered that persons visiting the parks could be
permitted to park their vehicles during the period of their visit:
No. 1 District
Park: Selly Oak Pk.
Area to be used: 50
yds. run on main drive off Gibbins Rd. entrance.
................
It is emphasised that no parking
fees would be charged and that no supervision of any kind would be exercised by
the Department’s employees.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Various Parks – Car Parking
16249
Resolved:- That approval be
given to the designation as parking areas of the various sites, as more
particularly set out in the foregoing report; ................
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted the following report of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
Selly Oak Park – Footpath Surfacing
With reference to the decision recently
made for the park footpath between Gibbins Road and Corisande Road to be
available for public use at all times, and to the subsequent allocation by the
Finance Committee of funds for the necessary fencing and lighting, I have been
in communication with the City Engineer & Surveyor on the question of
adoption of this footpath as a public highway upon completion of the fencing
and lighting.
I am, however, informed that
before permanent acceptance of responsibility can be considered, the City
Engineer & Surveyor would require the path to be resurfaced with tarred
limestone as prescribed for the laying of footpaths in connection with normal street
works, i.e. 2” consolidated limestone paving.
The surface is at present 1” in thickness, and whilst this is in
comparatively good condition, a certain amount of making up at the verges is
necessary where the paved surface has fretted away. The cost of placing a further 1” layer on the
existing surface, making good to haunches and general placing of the path surface
in a satisfactory condition, is estimated at approximately £600, and in this
connection I have to inform you that, subject to the submission of the
contractor’s final account, a balance of approximately £790 will be available
in the current year’s Estimates under the “Maintenance of Drives” head of
account, the details of which are:-
Total amount allowed for Parks and
Rec. Grounds £7,705
Estimated total of contractor’s
final account £6,915
Estimated balance
£790
In the circumstances, your
Committee may care to authorize expenditure from this balance for carrying out
the required work at Selly Oak Park which, if placed in the hands of Norman W.
Dunn & Co. Ltd. would be charged at the same rates as those applying to the
present year’s maintenance contract.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Various Sites – Provision of
Public Lavatories
I beg to refer to Minute No.
15,664 of the 4th October last, by which I was requested to submit a
report to your Sub-Committee regarding all the sites at which it is necessary
to provide lavatories and/or ablutions, and to confer with the City Surveyor
with a view to co-ordination of a policy for the provision of public
conveniences.
The following summary
................................... has been prepared after consultation with
your District Superintendents:-
..................
With regard to the question of
ablutions, the following areas have been selected from those containing three
or more football pitches at which the provision of these facilities is
desirable.
Ablutions
(From a list of 15 sites,
involving 90 pitches)
Selly Oak Park 4
pitches
Owing to the type and disposition
of dressing room units at a certain number of the sites listed above, it is
considered impracticable to provide showers, since it is advisable that
communication between these and the dressing rooms should be by means of
corridors or other covered passages.
In these cases, the alternative
would be the erection of a separate building in close proximity to the changing
rooms in which suitable receptacles could be provided for ordinary washing
purposes, with the introduction of both hot and cold water.
The cost of a building of this
type, constructed in brickwork and including electric supply cable, heater unit
and all fittings is estimated at approximately £2,000.
It is possible that your Committee
may care to adopt the policy of including public lavatories and ablutions
respectively at say two or three sites within the annual revenue estimates each
year, and on this basis the following items have been included in the Draft
Estimates for the 1955-56 financial year:-
(Selly Oak Park does not appear in
the list.)
Selly Oak Park – Illumination of
Public Footpath
By Minute No 16,003 of the last
meeting of the General Committee, I was instructed to submit a scheme for the
provision of lighting facilities at the above-mentioned footpath, prior to its
adoption as a public thoroughfare.
The proposal is to provide and lay
an underground electric cable for supplying nine lighting points along the line
of the path in the positions indicated on the plan which will be submitted at
your meeting, the lamp standards to be at a height of 15’ above ground, and of
cast-iron construction.
A firm quotation in the sum of
£600 has now been received from the Public Lighting Department for carrying out
this work in conjunction with the Midlands Electricity Board, their previously
estimated cost being £900, and to which expenditure the Finance Committee
recently gave their approval.
I shall be pleased to receive the
Committee’s instructions regarding the placing of an official order with the
Public Lighting Department for the above-mentioned work.
Selly Oak Park – Footpath Surfacing
16276
Resolved:- That authority be
given for the making-up of the footpath at Selly Oak Park in accordance with the
requirements now specified in the foregoing report, by Norman W. Dunn & Co.
Ltd., at an estimated cost of £600 under the terms of the existing contract
with the firm for the maintenance of drives and paths, and that the Town Clerk
be informed accordingly.
Various Sites – Provision of Public Lavatories
16288 Resolved:- That the report of the General Manager
concerning the provision of lavatory accommodation, etc., on sites under the
control of this Committee be approved, and that approval be given to the
adoption of the policy whereby provision is made in the annual revenue estimates
each year for the improvement of facilities at two or three sites.
Selly Oak Park – Illumination of Public Footpath
16289
Resolved:- That the quotation of
the Public Lighting Department for the provision of facilities for the illumination
of the footpath at Selly Oak Park in the sum of £600, as referred to in the
foregoing report, be accepted.
Included in this
Minute is a report concerning:
Rate Estimates 1955/56
(From a very long, and detailed report:-)
The report acknowledges that the expenditure of £2,255 on the pathway
across the park contributed to the anticipated (Departmental) overspend (of
£34,400) in 1954-55.
The report shows that the following allocations were included for Selly
Oak Park:-
Maintenance of Drives and
Pathways:-
·
Tarspraying and repairs - £80 – “Normal maintenance”
·
Tarmacadam surface of path from canal bridge to “Daughters
of Rest” Pavilion - £250 – “To replace existing rough ash path”
·
Surfacing of playground and extension to ditto -
£300 - “To replace temporary ash and defective surfaces”
Fencing:-
·
140 yds. 5ft. Sawn Oak fence western boundary -
£160 - “Replacement of dilapidated fence to prevent trespass”
·
Reprs. to existing fence S.Western boundary - £50
- “Replacement of dilapidated fence to prevent trespass”
New Developments:-
Additional Glasshouses for
general Propagation
·
40’ x 12’ Greenhouse with heated frames - £500
·
6 x Pit lights and frames 6’ x 4’ - £45
This is then followed by a report:-
Deletions
to Reduce Expenditure by £90,141
(From a very long, and detailed report:-)
The report shows that the following deletions were included for Selly
Oak Park:-
Fencing:-
·
Reprs. to existing fence S.Western boundary - £50
- “Replacement of dilapidated fence to prevent trespass”
New Developments:-
Additional Glasshouses for
general Propagation
·
40’ x 12’ Greenhouse with heated frames - £500
·
6 x Pit lights and frames 6’ x 4’ - £45
7th
February 1955 - Parks Department (Operations Card 26 EF6)
Layout
Surfacing of footpath across park. Contractor:
Norman W. Dunn & Co. Ltd.
Cost: approx £600. Parks Comm.
Min., date 7/2/55, No. 16276.
Remarks: Expenditure included in
“Maintenance of Drives” head of account 1954/55
Layout
Illumination of public footpath (9 lamp standards and
underground cable). Contractor: Public Lighting Dept. Cost: £600.
Parks Comm. Min., date 7/2/55, No. 16289
7th March 1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Councillor Horton submitted the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Temporary Manual Employees –
Appointment to Permanent Staff
It is recommended that the
temporary manual employees given in Appendix “K” be appointed to the Permanent
Staff of the Department with effect from the 7th March 1955. The approval of the Committee for such action
is desired.
Appendix
“K”
Temporary
Manual Employees – Appointment to Permanent Staff
District No. 1.
Name & Age: Richards, C.W. (50)
Designation: Parks Police
Where employed: Selly Oak Park
Date Commenced: 3.5.53
Temporary Manual Employees – Appointment to permanent
Staff
16388
Resolved:- That the appointment
of the temporary manual employees as more particularly set out in Appendix “K”
to the foregoing report, to the permanent staff of the Parks Department, with
effect from the 7th March, 1955, be approved.
The following report of the General Manager was submitted:-
Selly Oak Park – Footpath
I have to report that the fencing
and lighting to the above mentioned footpath between Gibbins Road and Corisande
Road, authorised under Minute Nos. 16,002 and 16,289, have now been completed,
the only work remaining being that of resurfacing, approved by Minute No.
16,276.
Owing to weather conditions, it has
not yet been possible to make a start on the surfacing, but I understand that
the Contractors, Norman W. Dunn & Co. Ltd., are prepared to commence within
the next week or so. In the
circumstances, I am of the opinion that this need not prevent opening the
footpath for permanent public use, provided adequate precautions are taken by
the Contractor during the progress of the work, and that suitable notices are
displayed at either end of the path.
In accordance with instructions
contained in Minute No. 16,001, the City Engineer and Surveyor has been
requested to place the question of adoption as a public highway before the
Public Works Committee.
Subject to your approval,
therefore, it is proposed that the footpath be opened for general use after
normal park closing hours as from this day, Monday, 7th March.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Selly Oak Park – Footpath
16476
Resolved:- That, in the
circumstances set out in the foregoing report, the General Manager be
authorised to arrange for the footpath at Selly Oak Park to be opened for
general use after the normal hours of closing parks with effect from the date
of this meeting, i.e. 7th March, 1955.
Draft Report to Council – 5th April, 1955
The following draft report for submission to the City
Council was submitted:-
Draft
Report to Council – 5th April, 1955
MEMORIALS
(a) Selly
Oak Park – Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
In November last, your
Sub-Committee submitted a report on a Memorial presented to the Council in May
1954 protesting against the closing during the normal hours of closing of Selly
Oak Park of the pathway in that park leading from Corisande Road to Gibbins
Road.
After relating the circumstances
which led to this pathway being allowed to remain open at night time during
World War II and after, and their reasons for deciding that the gates of the
park were to be closed at the normal for closing the park, with effect from 1st
June last year, your Committee stated that they saw no reason to depart from
this decision. However, the Council by
Minute No. 43465 referred the matter back to your Committee for further
consideration.
Bearing in mind that they must at
all times have regard to their responsibility for the safety of members of the
public resorting to sites under their control, and that they are not in favour
of parks remaining open at night, your Committee have now considered the matter
further.
Whilst they remain of opinion that
their decision to close the pathway at Selly Oak Park during the normal hours
of closing parks was the correct one, they nevertheless recognise the needs of
residents in the area of Corisande Road, etc., for a permanent right of way
along the line of this footpath. They
point out, however, that it is not within the terms of their delegations to
provide a right of way, and they have therefore approached the Public Works
Committee with a view to their considering the adoption of the pathway in
question as a public footpath.
As a matter of urgency pending the
decision of the Public Works Committee on the matter, your Committee have
authorised that all necessary work be put in hand for the fencing and lighting
of the pathway at a cost of £1,035. 15. 0d. and £600 respectively, on the
distinct understanding that it is not to be opened beyond the normal hours of
opening until this work has been completed.
In addition to the fencing and lighting, your Committee have agreed to
the re-surfacing of the pathway being carried out at a cost of £600 in accordance
with the specification required by the Public Works Committee before they can
consider the acceptance of permanent responsibility for the pathway.
Your Committee hope that all the
necessary works will be completed by the end of April.
(b) ....................................
................
16478
Resolved:- That, subject to
............................., the draft report for submission to the City
Council on 5th April, 1955, as now submitted, be approved; but that
the Chairman be authorised to make such amendments and additions thereto as may
subsequently be found necessary.
7th March
1955 - Parks Department (Operations Card 26 D2)
Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road –
re-opening during the hours of darkness
Fencing and lighting of the above footpath having been
completed (refer “B” Cards) it remained open for use during the hours of
darkness commencing Monday night, 7th March 1955.
It was decided that resurfacing of the Footpath should be
carried out after it had been opened to the public (P.C. Min. No. 16476 of
7/3/1955 refers).
17th March
1955 - Parks Department (Operations Card 26 D2)
Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road –
Adoption as Public Highway
At their meeting on 17th March 1955 the Public
Works Committee agreed that this footpath should be declared a highway
repairable by the inhabitants at large.
(Letter from City Surveyor dated 2nd April 1955 refers.) - P.C.
Min. No. 16490 of 4/4/1955 also refers.
4th April
1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Resolution of Public Works Committee re Selly Oak Park –
Footpath between Gibbins Road and Corisande Road
The following resolution of the Public Works Committee was submitted:-
Selly Oak Park – Footpath
between Gibbins Road and Corisande Road
A Report of the City Surveyor was
submitted.
Public Works Committee 17th March, 1955
Selly Oak Park – Footpath between Gibbins Road and Corisande Road
I beg to report the receipt of a
letter from the General Manager of the Parks Department, in which he requests
your Committee’s consideration to the proposal to adopt the footpath which runs
across Selly Oak Park in the position indicated in yellow on Plan No. 26 (Parks
Department) submitted herewith.
At a meeting of the Parks
Committee held on the 3rd January, 1955, by Minute 16001 it was
resolved, “that the action taken in approaching the City Engineer and Surveyor
regarding the ultimate object of having the footpath adopted as a public
highway be approved.”
Your Committee will be aware that
the public have expressed a desire for this footpath to be kept open day and
night and the only way in which the Parks Committee could agree to this would
be for your Committee to adopt it.
I have received an assurance from
the General Manager that the path will be put into proper state of repair and
that it will be fenced and having regard to this undertaking, I recommend your
Committee accede to the request of the Parks Committee.
58107 Resolved:-
That the footpath between Gibbins Road and Corisande Road, which runs
across Selly Oak Park, as referred to in the foregoing report, and containing a
total length of 580 yards be, and the same is hereby, declared to be a highway
repairable by the inhabitants at large and that the Corporate Seal be affixed
hereto; further, that the Parks Committee be informed accordingly.
16490
Resolved:- That the foregoing
resolution be received and entered on the Minutes.
Councillor Horton submitted the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Annual Review of Salaries – Senior Grades and Miscellaneous Division
(From a very long report-)
The following details are listed in Schedule “C”:-
Description of Present Post
and
Name of Officer: O-C.
Selly Oak Park (J.E. Hughes)
Present Wages: £10-1-4
+ ISP 10/-
Present Annual Remuneration: £549-9-4
Grade Recommended: Misc V.
Amended Scale: £530-590
Salary Recommended: £560
Annual Review of Salaries
(b) Miscellaneous Division
16508
Resolved:- That subject to the
approval of the Establishment Committee, the revised proposals of the General Manager
in respect of the posts referred to in Schedule “C” to the foregoing report, be
approved and that Minute No. 16113 be varied accordingly.
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted the following report of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
Special Orders
Since the last meeting of the
Sub-Committee, the following orders over £50 have been placed:-
Selly Oak Park
323 Collared Pipes and W.T. Burden, Ltd. £53-14-7.
Junctions
for drainage Birmingham
Order D.7262
Special Orders
16545
Resolved:- That the action of
the General Manager in relation to
Special Orders, as set out in the foregoing report, be approved and confirmed.
4th April
1955 - Parks Department (Operations Card 26 EF6)
Layout
Pipes and Junctions for drainage. Contractor:
W.T. Burden Ltd. Cost: £53 4.
7. Parks Comm. Min., date 4/4/55, No.
16545.
Layout
130 yds fencing (5ft.) to western boundary. Contractor:
J.E. Turner. Cost: £151 16.
0. Parks Comm. Min., date 4/7/55, No.
16849.
5th April
1955 - Parks Department (Operations Card 26 D2)
Footpath between Corisande Road and Gibbins Road
On 5th April 1955 the City Council were notified
that the footpath had been re-opened to the public.
2nd May
1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Councillor Horton submitted the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Mobile Canteens – Tenders
In accordance with your
Committee’s authorisation, an advertisement was recently placed in the local
press inviting tenders for the privilege of operating with a mobile canteen in
the following parks and recreation grounds at which there are at present no
refreshment facilities and where it is considered desirable that refreshments
should be provided:-
(From a list of 12 sites:-)
Selly Oak Park
In response to this advertisement,
tenders have been received from the undermentioned persons:-
From a list of 11 tenderers:-
Park: Selly Oak
Pk.
Name &
Address of Caterer: Vincent’s
Ices Ltd., 9, Heathfield Rd; B’ham 14
Amount Offered: 10/- wk.
Whether previously operated in
parks: Yes
Caterer recommended: Vincent Ices
Operating from: 1.5.55
In all the above cases the
caterers have previously operated at your Committee’s sites, and the Public Health
Department have carried our periodic inspections of the vehicles involved
without submitting any unfavourable reports.
It is, therefore, recommended that the various tenders be accepted.
The Committee’s instructions are
desired.
Mobile Canteens - Tenders
16629
Resolved:- That the tenders in
respect of the provision of mobile canteens at various parks and recreation
grounds, as more particularly set out in the foregoing report, be accepted, it
being understood that no unfavourable reports have been received from the
Medical Officer of Health on the condition of the various canteens concerned.
4th July
1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Selly Oak Park – Resurfacing of Footpath
On Minute No. 16276 the following report of the Town Clerk
was submitted:-
Selly Oak Park – Resurfacing of
Footpath
By the above Minute, your
Committee accepted an estimate of Norman W. Dunn & Co. Ltd. for the
making-up of the footpath at Selly Oak Park.
The work has been carried out as an extension to the existing Contact
with this Company, and no separate Formal Document has proved necessary.
I shall be glad if your Committee
would therefore discharge the Minute.
16812
Resolved:- That the foregoing
report be received, entered on the Minutes and approved, and that Minute No.
16276 be discharged.
Councillor Price submitted the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Police Report – Serious
Accidents
Since the last meeting of your
Sub-Committee, there have been 48 serious accidents dealt with in the parks and
the patients sent to hospital. There
were also 979 minor injuries treated and the patients sent home. Details of serious accidents are given in
Appendix “L”.
Appendix
“L”
Police
Report – Serious Accidents
Date: 30.5.55
Park: Selly Oak Pk.
Name & Age: Kathleen Hines (4)
Nature of Injury: Cut right ear, abrasions to
right leg
Cause of Injury: Struck by swing in motion
Alderman Mrs. Hyde presented the following report of the
Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee:-
Various Parks – Provision of
Fencing and Gates
In connection with various items
of fencing included in the revenue Estimates for the current year, I set out
hereunder brief details in connection with the supply and erection of oak
fencing at the sites concerned, together with a summary of quotations received
from various contractors and the individual amounts allocated in Estimates:-
Selly Oak P
130 lin. yds. 5ft. sawn Oak open
pale fencing to western boundary between Corisande Rd. entrance and canal
...............
J.E. Turner, J. Wright Durafencing, Rudders Durolas Ltd. Amount in
309 Cooks La; & Son, Ltd;
Coventry & Paynes. Gas St; Estimates
B’ham. 33. Studley. Rd.
B’ham. 10. Chester St; B’ham. 1.
B’ham.
6.
Selly Oak Pk.
£151-16- 0.# 155-5-0. 171-13- 5. 175-19-
0. - £160
..................
The lowest tenders are in each
case indicated by an asterisk, and I shall be pleased to receive your
Committee’s recommendations for acceptance in the various cases abovementioned.
Maintenance Contract, 1954 –
Various Sites
By Minute No. 15,208 your
Committee authorised the acceptance of the tender of Norman W. Dunn & Co.
Ltd. in the sum of £13,012-1-8 for the annual tar paving Maintenance Contract,
the total amount under this head of account in the 1954-55 Estimates being
£14,105 which left a surplus balance of £1,092-18-4.
During the execution of this
contract however, it was found necessary to carry out the following essential
works as additions to the contract, the first of which has already been approved
in principle by your Committee under Minute No. 16,276.
Selly Oak Park –
Reconstruction of footpath from
Gibbons (sic) Rd.
to Corisande Rd.
prior to its adoption as a
public
footpath. £316-
0-10.
...............
The contractor’s final account,
which includes an item of £97-18-7 for increases in the cost of materials and
labour, amounts to £13,103-7-3 which, together with the additional items
above-mentioned, has produced the total amount of £13,581-11-7 which, although
representing an overspending of £569-9-11 on the original contract order, is
well below the amount allowed in the Estimates.
The Committee’s authority for the
additional expenditure of £569-9-11 is desired.
Various Parks – Provision of Fencing and Gates
16849
Resolved:- That the proposals
for the provision of fencing and gates, as set out in the foregoing report, be
approved and that in this respect the under mentioned quotations be accepted:-
Selly Oak Park – J.E. Turner -
£151. 16. 0d.
Various Sites - Maintenance Contract, 1954
16862
Resolved:- That the final
account of Norman W. Dunn & Co. Ltd., amounting to £13,581.11.7d. for the
tar spraying of paths and paved areas in parks, recreation grounds, golf
courses and cemeteries as authorised by Minute No. 15208, be approved, and that
the additional expenditure of £569.9.11d. incurred thereby be authorised for payment.
The following report of the General Manager was submitted:-
Municipal Tenants’ Gardens
Competition, 1955
As your Committee will recall by
Minute No. 16,217 of 7th February last, permission was granted to
certain members of the staff of the Department to perform extra duties in
connection with the judging of gardens in the Municipal Tenants’ Gardens
Competition for 1955, and I was instructed to report in due course concerning
the employees affected and the payments made in connection therewith.
I now have to report that the
following eighteen employees were concerned in the judging of the Competition
this year and that each has received from the Housing Management Committee an
honorarium of £3 for their assistance in the Competition:-
(From a list:-)
Mr. J. E. Hughes Park Supt. Selly Oak Pk.
Entertainments in the Parks,
1955 Season
(Relevant items from a very long report:-)
(a) Birmingham
Festival of Entertainments
...............
Other entertainments arranged in
connection with the Festival and for which no charge was made for admission
were as follows:-
(i)
............
(ii) Police and Fire Displays at Selly Oak Park,
Swanshurst Park, Rookery Park and K.
George V. Playing Fields.
Municipal Tenants Gardens Competition, 1955
17069 Resolved:- That
in accordance with the authority contained in Minute No. 16217 in respect of
members of staff of the Parks Department performing extra duties in connection with
the judging of gardens in the Municipal Tenants Gardens Competition, 1955, the
18 employees named in this paragraph of the foregoing report be and they are
hereby authorised to retain an honorarium of £3 to be granted by the Housing Management
Committee for their assistance in the competition.
7th
November 1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Councillor Price presented the following report of the General Purposes
and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Police Report – Serious Accidents
Since the last meeting of your Sub-Committee,
there have been 105 serious accidents dealt with in the parks and the patients
sent to hospital. There were also 1950
minor injuries treated and the patients sent home. Details of the serious accidents are given in
Appendix “E”.
Appendix “E”
Police Report –
Serious Accidents
Date: 21.8.55
Park: Selly
Oak Pk.
Name & Age: Peter Wadden (3)
Nature of Injury: Cut over rt. eye
Cause of Injury: Struck by swing in motion
Staff
Regradings
I have to recommend the following regradings of
employees in the Department.
District 1.
Name & Age: Glover, S. (30)
Where employed: Selly Oak Pk.
Grading & Wages
Present: Gdn. Lab. £7-12-0.
Recommended: Gdnr.
2nd Cl. £7-19-4.
Date Commenced: 11.7.55
To date from: 10.10.55
Handsworth Park – Appointment of
Officer-in-Charge
The Sub-Committee will remember that, as a
result of the re-employment of Mr. Gradwell in another post at his own request,
the position of Officer-in-Charge at Handsworth Park has become and now remains
vacant. The following members of the
Department only applied and presented themselves for interview:-
(From
a list of 4)
Name Age Present Appointment
Hughes, J.E. 49 Park-keeper, Selly Oak Park
................
Your Interviewing Panel were disappointed and
seriously concerned with the poor response to the advertisement and with the
general experience, seniority and stature of the candidates, and they felt
unanimously that they could not make any recommendation to your Sub-Committee
as a result of the interview.
..............
(Compilers Note – Handsworth Park was one of
the premier parks in the City and the venue for the City of Birmingham Show,
and further in the report there is the statement – “In addition, however, the
post with the ever increasing importance of the City of Birmingham Show
undoubtedly carries additional and special responsibilities, probably not
obtaining in the case of the other senior parks, with the exception of Canon
Hill Park, .......” Notwithstanding the
importance of the park, the accommodation for the Officer-n-Charge was deemed
less than appropriate for the perceived status of the position.)
Staff Regradings
17136 Resolved:- That the staff regradings as set out in the
foregoing report, be approved and confirmed with effect from the dates shown in
each case.
Alderman Mrs. Hyde submitted the following report of the Sites and
Buildings Sub-Committee:-
Special Orders
Since the last meeting of the Sub-Committee,
the following orders over £50 have been placed:-
Selly Oak Park
27 C.I. Gully Grids Birmingham City Transport £63-18-9.
and Frames for new Department
drainage
Order D.7260
“Sons of Rest” and “Daughters of Rest”- Grant
of Exclusive Use
At the meeting of the Parks Committee held on
the 2nd May, 1955, it was:-
“16,674
Resolved:- That, having regard
to the circumstances set out in the foregoing report and the letter from the
Town Clerk as now submitted, pursuant to the powers contained in Section 37 of
the Birmingham Corporation Act 1954, this Committee grant the exclusive use to
the City of Birmingham “Sons of Rest” Federation of the shelters at Handsworth,
Digby and Sparkhill Parks, subject in the case of Digby Park to no objection
being raised thereto by the Estate of Charles Wriothesley Digby, and in the
case of Sparkhill Park, to the consent of the Governors of the Yardley
Educational Foundation: and that the General Manager be instructed to submit to
the Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee in due course a complete list of sites
which will be ultimately involved.”
The consents mentioned in the above Resolution
have been obtained, and I now set out in Appendix “A” a complete schedule of
the “Sons of Rest” and “Daughters of Rest” shelters erected on land under your Committee’s
control.
In accordance with the Town Clerk’s advice,
plans have been prepared showing the location and area of the shelters in
respect of the various parks or pleasure grounds and a complete set of these
plans will be available for inspection at your meeting.
I would add that extensions to shelters at
present in hand have been included in the area shown on the schedule and plans
now submitted. In a number of cases, it
has been necessary to seek the consent of the Trustees or personal
representatives of the donors of the land, and particulars of these consents
are given in the schedule against the appropriate sites.
.........................
The areas set apart for the exclusive use
must be described on a notice board fixed or set up in a conspicuous position
in the park or pleasure ground, and the Town Clerk recommends that the wording
of the notice should be in the following form:-
(Name of the Park or Pleasure Ground)
“NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in accordance
with the provisions of Section 37 of the Birmingham Corporation Act, 1954, the
Corporation of the City of Birmingham have set aside for the exclusive use of
..................... (here describe the section of the public concerned)
the part of the above-mentioned park or
pleasure ground on which is erected the building known as the “Sons of Rest”
(“Daughters of Rest”) shelter.
Quotations are being obtained for suitably
inscribed notices, and I propose to erect one in a conspicuous position either
on or in the vicinity of each shelter.
Your Committee will, no doubt, wish to pass a
formal Resolution granting the City of Birmingham Federation of the “Sons of
Rest” and the Selly Oak “Daughters of Rest” Society (as appropriate) the
exclusive use of the shelters at the parks and pleasure grounds described in
the schedule now submitted pursuant to the powers contained in Section 37 of
the Birmingham Corporation Act, 1954, subject in the case of Balsall Heath,
Cannon Hill and Small Heath Parks to consent being obtained from Mr.
Smith-Ryland, life tenant of the Smith-Ryland Settled Estates.
Schedule of Sons of
Rest and Daughters of Rest Shelters
Parts of Selly Oak Park to be set apart for
the exclusive use of the Selly Oak Daughters of Rest Society pursuant to the
powers contained in Section 37 of the Birmingham Corporation Act, 1954.
Plan No.: 34
Park or Pleasure Ground: Selly
Oak Park
Area to be set apart (floor area of
building): 995 sq. ft.
Location in Park or
Pleasure Ground: Adjacent
to canal, near Gibbins Road – Harborne Lane entrance.
Particulars of
Consent: Members
of the Gibbins Family per A.W. Gibbins, Esq.
Letter refers dated 5.9.55.
Special Orders
17160 Resolved:- That the action of the General Manager in
relation to special orders as set out in the foregoing report, be approved and
confirmed.
“Sons of Rest” and “Daughters of Rest”- Grant of Exclusive Use
17167 Resolved:- That having regard to the circumstances set
out in the foregoing report and pursuant to the powers contained in Section 37
of the Birmingham Corporation Act 1954 this Committee do grant the exclusive
use of the following shelters to the City of Birmingham “Sons of Rest”
Federation namely:-
(There then follows a list of 33 sites, which
did not include Selly Oak Park)
subject to.................., and they, further, grant the exclusive use
to the Selly Oak “Daughters of Rest” Society of the Shelter at Selly Oak Park,
in accordance with the details specified in the foregoing report; further, that
the General Manager be authorised to arrange for the erection of suitable
inscribed notices in conspicuous positions and as indicated in the report.
5th
December 1955 – BCC Parks Committee Minute
Councillor Price presented the following report of the
General Purposes and Finance Sub-Committee:-
Departmental Training Scheme –
Examination Successes
I set out below for your Committee’s
information a list of examination successes which have been achieved this year
by Departmental employees who have attended or are in the process of attending
courses under your Committee’s Training Scheme:-
Junior Certificate of the Royal
Horticultural Society
(From a list of 7)
Brown, D.J Apprentice Gardener Selly Oak Pk.
Your Committee will recall that
under the existing wage agreements with the National Joint Industrial Council,
employees who pass the Royal Horticultural Society’s Senior Certificate
Examination are awarded an additional payment of 7/- per week.
It will also be recalled that on
the 7th March, 1953, the Establishment Committee approved a payment
of an additional 5/- per week to Garden Boys and Apprentices who obtain the
Junior R.H.S. Certificate provided that the increment is absorbed at the age of
21 years, if the employee has not then obtained the Senior Certificate.
