Ongoing research; last updated 9 February 2011
11th February 1929 – Finance Sub-Committee
The following report of the City Treasurer was presented:-
Summary of receipts and payments for the quarter ended 31st December 1929,
in respect of properties managed by the Estates Committee.
The Lodge, Selly Oak Park
Arrears b/fwd from Sept. nil
Rent due at Dec. 1928 £5: 19: 2
Cash received £5: 19: 2
Amount written off nil
Arrears c/ forward at Sept. 1928 nil
Rates, taxes, etc. nil
Repairs nil
Commission and Supervision 6s 0d.
Total expenses 6s 0d
Balance due to Parks Department £5: 13: 2
Balance due from Parks Department nil
26th February 1929 - Administration Sub-Committee, reported and adopted on
4th March 1929 – Parks Committee
The Secretary presented the following report:-
Superannuation Scheme – Valuation of Emoluments
When the new Superannuation Scheme was adopted, it became necessary for superannuation contributions to be paid upon the value of emoluments enjoyed by members of staff, and for this purpose an approximate valuation was made based in the main upon the duties performed by the individual rather than upon the actual rental value of the premises occupied.
The City Treasurer approached me on this matter some time ago, and stated that it appeared to be doubtful whether it is permissible under the terms of the Act of 1922 to require contributions on a figure not compatible with the actual value of the emolument enjoyed, and it was arranged that the Superintendent Valuer of the Rates Department should make a re-evaluation (so far as rent and rates were concerned) of the premises occupied by the various members of the staff by virtue of their employment, and enjoyed as emoluments.
As a result it appears that in many cases there is a considerable margin on either one side or the other between the valuation figures and the amounts upon which superannuation contributions are at present being paid. It is therefore suggested that revised figures should be adopted based on these valuations. There is, however, a considerable disparity between the value of premises occupied by employees holding corresponding positions and while it may not be permissible to adopt a “standard” value as hitherto, it is considered a fair and reasonable adjustment may be made in the actual values, so as to obviate any such great disparity as would exist in certain cases e.g. the position of the Registrars of Witton and Handsworth cemeteries respectively, if actual rental values were adopted.
I submit herewith a schedule containing particulars of the emoluments enjoyed by members of the staff, and chargeable for superannuation purposes, which schedule shows the present valuation of such emoluments, the rental and rateable value of premises occupied, as assessed by the Superintendent Valuer, the value of other emoluments such as fuel, lights etc. and the suggested revised figures for superannuation purposes. The Later are, as mentioned above, based on the Superintendent Valuer’s valuation with such adjustments as will obviate a greater disparity than £25 in respect of each particular class of employee concerned.
The suggested revisions have been agreed with the Treasurer’s Superannuation Department, and are now submitted for the Committee’s approval.
Schedule of servants who are in receipt of emoluments
Name & Present value Total rental Value of Suggested Remarks
of premises for super- value plus other emol- revised val-
annuation as rates as uments, i.e. uation for the
approved by assessed by fuel, light, etc. purposes of the
Committee Supt. Valuer Superannuation
Scheme
A.R.Tarr £52 £31 £15 £50 Fuel & light
Lodge,
Selly Oak Park
4988 Resolved:- That the suggested revisions in valuation of emoluments of the employees of the Parks Committee concerned be approved, and recommended to the General Committee for adoption.
16th March 1929 – Birmingham News
The Week’s News from the Districts
Selly Oak
Veteran Park-keeper Honoured – Residents of Selly Oak have recognized the services of Mr. T. Horton, who was for 31 years park-keeper at Selly Oak, by presenting him with a walking stick and wallet containing Treasury notes, and Mrs. Horton with an umbrella.
The presentation was made at a concert at the Oak Inn on Tuesday by Dr. W.J. Garbutt, who referred to Mr. Horton’s valued work for charity during the many years he had been in the district.
Mr. F. Nevitt, chairman of the presentation committee, endorsed the doctor’s remarks, and Mr. Horton suitably responded. Mr. E. Wyatt presided.
The secretary of the committee, who was largely responsible for the success of the effort, was Mr. Fred Thompson.
25th March 1929 - Administration Sub-Committee, reported and approved on
8th April 1929 – Parks Committee
Staff - Increase in Wages
The Chairman recommended the following increases in the wages of the manual staff:-
Recommendations as to increases in wages of Manual Staff to be submitted to the Administration Sub-Committee by the Chairman of the General Committee on the 25th March 1929, and to take effect as from 1st April, 1929.
Park Name of Designated post Length of Present Increase Remarks
employee Service Wages Recommended
Selly Oak A.E.Gilbert Park labourer 5¾ years £2.11.10 2/- As from Park completion of six
years’ service on 7th June next.
5012 Resolved:- That the General Committee be recommended to adopt the increases in the wages of the manual staff as set out in the foregoing list as from the 1st April, 1929.
22nd April 1929 – Finance Sub-Committee
The following report of the City Treasurer was presented:-
Summary of receipts and payments for the quarter ended 31st March 1929,
in respect of properties managed by the Estates Committee.
The Lodge, Selly Oak Park
Arrears b/fwd from December 1928 nil
Rent due at March 1929 £5: 19: 2
Cash received £5: 19: 2
Amount written off nil
Arrears c/ forward at March 1929 nil
Rates, taxes, etc. 8s. 3d.
Commission and Supervision 5s 11d.
Total expenses 14s 2d
Balance due to Parks Department £5: 5: 0
Balance due from Parks Department nil
29th April 1929 - Administration Sub-Committee, and reported and approved on
6th May 1929 – Parks Committee
Use of Parks
On the authority of the Chairman of the General Committee, the use of the parks and recreation grounds has been granted to the following organisations on the dates and for the reasons stated:-
Date Park or Rec. Grnd. Organisation Purpose
July 13 Selly Oak Park Selly Oak & Bournbrook Annual children’s party
Children’s Christmas and Park to be closed from
Summer Party Fund 2 – 5 pm.
The confirmation of the Sub-Committee is desired.
6th May 1929 – Parks Committee
Staff – Long Service – Presentation of Illuminated Resolutions
On behalf of the Parks Committee, the Lord Mayor presented illuminated copies of resolutions in respect of long service to the following ex-employees of the Parks Department:-
H. Lamb - 37 years’ service
J.T. Horton - 30 years’ service
E. Hodgetts - 45 “ “
J. Eccleston - 35 “ “
15th July 1929 – Finance Sub-Committee
The following report of the City Treasurer was presented:-
Income and Expenditure 1928/29
Selly Oak Park
Estimated 1928/29 Actual for year
Income £105 £91. 15. 11.
Expenditure £900 £921. 10. 11.
20th July 1929 – Birmingham News
Children’s Revels
3,250 Entertained
Maypole and Folk Dancing
It is well over 30 years since a number of residents of Selly Oak and Bournbrook formed themselves into a committee in order to organize parties for the children of the district, one at Christmas, and another during the summer.
During the war the activities of the committee were suspended, but, judging by the success of the festival held at Selly Oak Park on Saturday, it would seem that the organization is again in excellent working order. Brilliant sunshine added to the splendor of the spectacle, and many of the 3,250 children present were in fancy dress.
The Committee
The officers of the committee responsible for the success of the function were: Messrs. C.H. Harbun (president), A. West (chairman), W.C. Clarke (vice-chairman), H. Roberts (hon. treasurer), W.C. Baldwin (hon. secretary), A. Butler (hon. assistant secretary), S. West (secretary, Entertainment Committee), and Mrs. A.W. Pugh (secretary, Catering Committee).
The proceedings commenced with a grand procession marshaled by Mr. A. West, and headed by Elliott’s Band; the children marched to the accompaniment of music by Woodgate Band, and the Bournville Ambulance Brigade brought up the rear. Senior and junior scholars from five Church Schools assembled at Coronation Road, and marched along Dawlish Road, houses on either side of the road being gaily festooned with flags. The schools represented were Tiverton Road, St. Wulstan’s Raddlebarn Road, St. Mary’s, and St. Edwards, and there was also a number of out scholars.
The procession proceeded along Bristol Road to Selly Oak Park.
Fancy Dress Parade
On arrival at the park, the first item on the programme was the fancy dress parade, when 120 entrants in this event paraded to the music of Elliott’s Band. Many of the costumes were most original, and all effective, and prizes were awarded as follows:-
Boys: 1 L. Rose (Painted Doll), 2 T. Metcalf (Miner), 3 S. Cheshire (Wounded Tommy), 4 W. Townsley (Dutch Boy), 5 W. Southall (Sonny Boy), 6 V. Sanders (Departed Spirit). In addition to these, there were 18 other prizes.
Girls: 1 D. Drew (Wedding Cake), 2 K. Fenner (Safety First), 3 B. Bedford (Untidy Ascot), 4 L. Drew (Support Home Industries), 5 L. Blunt (Prince Charming), 6 E. Holman (Eve). There were 19 other prizes, and a special prize for the best fancy dress costing not more than 2s. 6d.; this was won by B. Clarke (Hawaian Girl).
The prizes were presented by the judges, Mr. J.A. Cooper (“Uncle Jack” of the B.B.C.) and Mrs. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. W.N.D. Higgs, and Mr. and Mrs. Brazener.
A feature of the afternoon programme was the Maypole dancing, when 100 children performed before a large audience. Each school was represented among the dancers, who were trained by the Misses Garrett, Barnsley and Mills. The music for the dancing was supplied by the Woodgate Band. Country and folk dancing by the St. Wulstan’s and Raddlebarn Lane Girls’ Schools, was also an interesting item of the programme.
Attractive Net Ball
Another feature was a net ball competition, which attracted considerable attention. After two eliminating tests, Raddlebarn Lane opposed St. Mary’s, and were defeated. The standard of play attained by the girls was most encouraging, the finer points of the game being clearly defined.
Without the inclusion of the side shows and competitions, no children’s festival is ever complete, and on Saturday the cocoanuts, houp-la (sic), darts, skittles, “mug-in-the-tub” and hidden treasure competition, were a source of great delight to young and old alike. Mrs. Truebody was successful in finding the hidden treasure.
The day concluded with dancing in the Maypole ring until dusk.
30th September 1929 – Finance Sub-Committee
The following report of the City Treasurer was presented:-
Summary of receipts and payments for the quarter ended 30th June 1929,
in respect of properties managed by the Estates Committee.
The Lodge, Selly Oak Park
Arrears b/fwd from March 1929 nil
Rent due at June 1929 £5: 19: 2
Cash received £5: 10: 0
Amount written off nil
Arrears c/ forward at March 1929 9s 2d
Rates, taxes, etc. nil.
Repairs £64: 14: 10
Commission and Supervision 5s 6d
Total expenses £65: 0: 4
30th September 1929 – General Purposes Sub-Committee
The Secretary submitted the following report:-
Football in the Parks 1929/30
I beg to report that in view of the approach of the football season, the allocation of clubs to parks football pitches was dealt with at the end of July last. …………….
Up to the present 239 clubs have been allocated pitches, and there is still accommodation for clubs as follows:-
Selly Oak Park – 1
