Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 20/10/2003

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th October 2003.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th September 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I COMMUNITY LEARNING PARTNERSHIP - LITERACIES INITIATIVE PROGRESS

There was submitted Report No 653-2003 by the Head of Communities informing members of progress in implementation of the Community Learning Partnership - Literacies Initiative and the development of a Spotter and Referrer Network.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)to note the progress being made by the Literacies Initiative in reaching its targets - a summary was included in the packs available to elected members.

(b)to endorse the Spotter/Referrer Network and actively promote participation by Council staff in the Network.

(c)to consider taking up the invitation of Spotter and Referrer training (details in the pack).

II ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 666-2003 by the Head of Communities presenting the findings of the Anti-Poverty Strategy Review and making recommendations on the way in which Dundee City Council should take forward a revised strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)to note the findings of the Anti-Poverty Strategy Review and the progress made to date.

(b)to acknowledge the support and collaboration of partner agencies from the statutory sector and the positive contribution made by the Dundee Anti-Poverty Forum in addressing poverty and social exclusion in Dundee.

(c)to instruct the Head of Communities to bring forward a mechanism for policy proofing relevant areas of Departmental Service Plans for anti-poverty considerations using the framework contained in Appendix I of the report.

(d)to agree to extend the partnership based approach to tackling poverty and social exclusion in Dundee within the framework of the Community Plan.

(e)to agree to establish a cross-cutting partnership group aligned to the Dundee Community Plan Theme Groups and to oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the revised strategy.

(f)to agree that the revised strategy be developed in response to the Anti-Poverty Strategy Review and an analysis of poverty and social inclusion in Dundee which will include Dundee Anti-Poverty Forum's research on peoples experiences of poverty.

III FINES AMNESTY - TO CELEBRATE 150 YEARS OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN SCOTLAND

There was submitted Report No 588-2003 by the Head of Communities seeking Council approval to implement a fines amnesty on books throughout the City Libraries during the month of November 2003.

The Committee approved the contents of the report and the implementation of a moratorium on fines relating to overdue books during the month of November 2003, including the opportunity for members of the public to donate quality books which may be suitable for loan.

IV EQUALITY SCHEMES - CONSULTATION OUTCOMES

There was submitted Report No 624-2003 by the Head of Communities seeking approval of recommendations arising out of the community and related organisations consultation on the Council's Equality Schemes 2002-2005.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)to note the consultation feedback on the Equality Schemes and agree the production of an abridged version for public use.

(b)to refer the concerns outlined in paragraph 7.1 of the report to the Equality Task Groups for prioritisation and further development over future policy development on Equalities.

(c)to approve the proposals outlined in paragraph 7.3 with regard to equalities consultation particularly in relation to the protocol on consultation being compiled under Community Planning.

(d)to approve the Council supporting the establishment of a Dundee Equalities Partnership to advance equalities issues under community planning collaborative mechanisms.

V PLANNED MAINTENANCE 2003/2004 - PHASE IV

There was submitted Report No 667-2003 by the Head of Communities seeking approval for the City Architectural Services Officer to obtain offers, tenders, or negotiate partnerships and for the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services), in conjunction with the Head of Communities, to accept these offers/tenders/partnership agreements for planned maintenance up to a total cost of 70,000 as detailed in Appendix I of the Report.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)that the City Architectural Services Officer be authorised to obtain offers, tenders or partnership agreements for the Planned Maintenance Work.

(b)that the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services), in conjunction with the Head of Communities be authorised to accept the offers, tenders/partnership agreements as recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer for works to be undertaken by Dundee Contract Services and other contractors.

VI SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND SMALL GRANTS 2003/2004

There was submitted Report No 672-2003 by the Head of Communities making recommendations for the allocation of SIP1 funding for the financial year 2003/2004.

The Committee approved the SIP1 small grants as detailed in Appendix A of the report and also the grant detailed in Appendix B under Empowering Communities.

VII ESTABLISHMENT OF ARDLER VILLAGE TRUST AS A RECOGNISED NEIGHBOURHOOD REPRESENTATIVE STRUCTURE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN448-2003 asking the Committee to approve Ardler Village Trust as a Neighbourhood Representative Structure with the same level of recognition applied to Community Councils. The application submitted on behalf of the Ardler Village Trust satisfied the criteria approved by the Neighbourhood Resources & Development Committee on 11th November 2002 (Article II refers). In satisfying the normal criteria for recognition as a Neighbourhood Representative Structure, Ardler Village Trust would qualify for access to grant aid, support, information and consultation from all Council Departments, along similar lines to that of afforded to properly constituted and recognised Community Councils.

The Committee approved the establishment of Ardler Village Trust as a recognised Neighbourhood Representative Structure.

VIII YOUTHLINK SCOTLAND POLICY FORUM

There was submitted Agenda Note AN449-2003 advising that, following elections held in August 2003, Mr Tony Boffey, Manager, Communities Department, was appointed to the Policy Forum established to guide the policy direction of Youthlink Scotland. There were clear benefits to Dundee City Council of being represented on the Forum which would act as the Government's Advisory Body for youth work in Scotland.

The Committee agreed to Mr Boffey taking up this appointment which would involve periodic meetings during business hours.

IX COLDSIDE LIBRARY - EXTERNAL RAMP

There was submitted Agenda Note AN450-2003 advising that at the meeting of the Neighbourhood Resources & Development Committee on 21st October 2002, the construction of an external ramp for Coldside Library, in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2000, was approved (Article IV refers). Delays in receiving planning consent from Historic Scotland had resulted in the project being deferred until the financial year 2003/2004.

The Committee noted that the work would be carried out by Clachan Construction, Perth, at a total cost of 94,065.12 including fees - the work would be completed this financial year with the cost contained within the Neighbourhood Resources & Development Capital Plan 2003/2004 and consistent with the principles of the Madrid Declaration.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener