Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 15/10/2001

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th October, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th September, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I IMPLEMENTATION OF DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No. 665-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development providing members with a briefing on progress achieved in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)To note the progress achieved and further action to be taken on implementing the recommendations contained in the Anti-Poverty Strategy.

(b)To acknowledge the support and collaboration of partner agencies from the statutory sector and the positive contribution from the Dundee Anti-Poverty Forum on behalf of the voluntary sector in addressing poverty and social inclusion in Dundee.

(c)To instruct the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development to bring forward a further report on progress in 12 months time.

II SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIPS - ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES 2001/2002

There was submitted Report No. 675-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development bringing forward proposals for the further allocation of Social Inclusion Partnerships 1 and 2 revenue funding and awards from the Small Grants Fund.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)To note the recommendations of the Dundee Partnership Community Regeneration Group in the further allocation of SIP 1 and SIP 2 revenue funding for 2001/02 as detailed in Section 6.2 and Appendix C of the report.

(b)To agree the award of Social Inclusion Partnership of 1 Small Grants as detailed in Appendix B of the report.

III FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP 2

On 27th September 2001, the City Council received advice from Margaret Curran, Deputy Minister for Social Justice, confirming that, following a national evaluation of the former Regeneration Programmes, the Executive had decided to put in place arrangements for extension funding on a tapered basis, for a further two years. In 2002/2003 an amount equivalent to 75% of the current year's allocation, or 313,000 is to be made available, and in 2003/2004, an amount equivalent to 50% of the current year's allocation, or 209,000 is to be allocated.

Release of this funding was contingent on the production of an initial strategy document by 31st January 2002. This document should take into account lessons learned from the evaluation of Social Inclusion Partnership 2 in Dundee, and the lessons contained within the national evaluation. It should take into account the community regeneration statement to be published later this year and it should recognise the central importance of the community planning process as a strategic framework for delivery social justice.

The Committee noted the position and instructed the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development to work with the Dundee Partnership Community Regeneration Group to comply with these requirements.

IV REVISIONS TO THE AUDIO LENDING SERVICE

There was submitted Report No. 676-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking approval to introduce revisions to the audio lending service.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) To revise audio subscription rates.

(b) To introduce a pay per loan scheme for audio items.

(c) To remove charges levied on music cassettes.

V INTRODUCTION OF A DVD (DIGITAL VIDEO DISK) LENDING FACILITY

There was submitted Report No. 677-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking approval to introduce a DVD (Digital Video Disk) lending facility in the Central Library.

The Committee approved the purchase of DVDs to lend from the Central Library as from January 2002.

VI TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No. 641-2001 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof as follows:-

(a)MENZIESHILL NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE - INSTALLATION OF ANTI-VANDAL ROOF SPIKES

The Committee agreed to accept the tender submitted by H S Jackson & Son (Fencing) Limited, Ashford to carry out the above works for the sum of 4,772.07 to which required to be added allowances of 800, making a total expenditure of 5,572.07.

(b)MENZIESHILL NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE - UPGRADING OF COLD WATER STORAGE TANKS

The Committee agreed to accept the tender submitted by Dundee Contract Services amounting to 6,625.50 to which required to be added allowances of 1,100, making a total expenditure of 7,725.50.

(c)WELLGATE CENTRAL LIBRARY - NEW AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR OFFICE AREAS

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Scan Building Services Limited, Dundee amounting to 239,884.86 to which required to be added allowances of 70,795, making a total expenditure of 310,679.86.

VII NON-RECURRING REVENUE GRANTS FUND V 2001/2002

At its meeting on 10th February 1997, the Committee approved the criteria and procedures for the Department's grant aid portfolio (Report No. 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No. 678-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing a specific grant award which could be met from the relevant revenue budget 2001/2002.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 750 to the Girls Brigade (Dundee Division).

VIII VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TRAINING GRANTS FUND 2001/2002

At its meeting on 10th February 1997, the Committee approved the criteria and procedures for the department's grant aid portfolio (Report No. 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No. 679-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing specific grant awards which could be met from the relevant revenue budget 2001/2002.

The Committee approved the payment of the following recommended grants:-

IX SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT IV 2001/2002

At its meeting on 10th February, 1997 the Committee approved the criteria and procedures for the department's grant aid portfolio (Report No. 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No. 680-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing a specific grant award which could be met from the relevant revenue budget 2001/2002.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 10,000 to Volunteer Information Point.

HELEN WRIGHT, Convener.