Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 16/05/2005

At a MEETING of the LEISURE AND ARTS SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th May 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th April 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I HEADSTONE MEMORIAL INSTALLATION AND REPAIR REGISTRATION SCHEME

Councillor Duncan declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his employment as a monumental mason.

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th April 2005, the Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Report No 319-2005 seeking approval for the introduction of a Scheme which permitted registered Memorial Masons and other suitable Contractors to undertake works in respect of the installation of new stones and work on existing stones within cemeteries.

The Committee approved the Registration Scheme as outlined in paragraph 6.2 of the Report.

II FUTURE CEMETERY PROVISION - ADDITIONAL SITES

Councillor Duncan declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his employment as a monumental mason.

On a reference to Article XI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th February 2004, the Director of Leisure and Arts and the Director of Planning and Transportation submitted Joint Report No 313-2005 requesting that it be remitted to them to investigate the potential for additional cemetery provision in the eastern half of Dundee within identified areas of search.

The Committee agreed to remit to the Director of Leisure and Arts and the Director of Planning and Transportation to carry out an initial feasibility study to establish the potential for additional cemetery provision within the areas of search identified in Appendix 1 of the Report and to report back the results of the feasibility study to this Committee for future consideration.

III SMALL PROJECT GRANTS

The Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Report No 312-2005 seeking approval to award a grant to an Arts and Heritage organisation.

The Committee authorised the payment of a grant of 500 to Poorboy - Bridgebuilder.

IV DUNDEE ICE ARENA - REVENUE SUPPORT 2005/6

The Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Mackie and Councillor Fitzptrick declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments.

The Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Report No 282-2005 requesting renewal of revenue funding to Dundee Ice Area for the year 2005/2006.

The Committee approved the level of revenue funding of 115,000 for 2005/2006.

V 6 CITIES BIENNIAL CREATIVE DESIGN FESTIVAL

The Director of Leisure and Arts and the Director of Economic Development submitted Joint Report No 321-2005 outlining proposals for the above Festival and the potential for Dundee's involvement in this.

The Committee noted the proposals for the 6 Cities Biennial Creative Design Festival in 2007 and remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts and the Director of Economic Development to assist in the establishment of a Local Design Festival Steering Group and to bring forward detailed proposals for the inaugural festival events in Dundee in 2007.

VI TENDERS RECEIVED

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th March 2004 and Article VI(a)(v) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th December 2004 the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 306-2005 giving details of offers received for Barrack Street Collections Unit - design, supply and installation of storage systems.

The Committee agreed to accept the most advantageous offer by Metalrax Limited, Birmingham amounting to 223,300 together with allowances of 6,000 for additional shelving, 20,000 for specialist Entomological storage and 6,879 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 256,179.

VII CAIRD PARK ATHLETICS STADIUM MODERNISATION AND DAWSON PARK ARTIFICIAL PITCH(PARTNERING)

On a reference to Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st February 2005, the Director of Leisure and Arts and the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 237-2005 seeking approval to carry out modernisation works at Caird Park Athletics Stadium and to construct an artificial pitch at Dawson Park.

The Committee agreed to the above proposals and accepted the ERDC Group as the partnering contractor with an agreed maximum price of 690,489 together with other allowances of 22,700 for professional services, supervisory and administrative expenses making a total cost of 713,189.

VIII GRASS CUTTING IN PARKS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN208-2005 advising that the Leisure and Arts Department and Dundee Contract Services had reviewed their respective responsibilities in relation to grass cutting in parks and, with a view to providing a more effective and efficient service with a single department responsible for all grass works, proposing that the Leisure and Arts Department carry out all grass cutting in Parks.

The Committee agreed the proposals.

IX LOCHEE SWIMMING AND LEISURE CENTRE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN209-2005 reporting that to enable the annual equipment and essential maintenance programme at Lochee Swimming and Leisure Centre to take place, permission was requested for the Centre to be closed from Tuesday 16th August to Sunday 28th August 2005 inclusive.

The Committee approved the closure request.

X MCMANUS GALLERIES - CLOSURE OF "DISCOVER YOUR PAST - TAYSIDE BEFORE HISTORY"DISPLAY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN210-2005 advising that the preparation of McManus Galleries for redevelopment involved the dismantling of the permanent exhibition spaces with Gallery 1 closing from 1st June 2005 together with the Lounge Cafi with the area being utilised as a temporary storage area.

The Committee noted the closure and agreed to accept the specialist offer from Heritage Engineering, Glasgow amounting to 14,788.15 together with an allowance of 1,500 for contingencies making a total expenditure of 16,288.15 for the packing and removal from the site of several large objects for which specialist expertise was required.

The Committee also agreed to accept the offers for the manufacture of specialist framing and the purchase of specialist storage containers from D & W Coullie, Dundee amounting to 549.80 and G Ryder & Co., Milton Keynes amounting to 1,252.20.

XI DUNDEE MILITARY SHOW 2005

There was submitted Agenda Note AN211-2005 advising that a request had been received from the Armed Forces Careers Office to provide a Military Show at Camperdown Country Park on 4th and 5th June 2005.

The Committee approved the event and remitted to the Director of Economic Development to enter into a lease agreement noting that the event be subject to the necessary insurances being provided indemnifying the Council against damage to property, injury or loss of life etc. to members of the public and, in addition to any services being provided by the Department being paid for by the applicant. The Committee also noted that a satisfactory risk assessment had been received and a public entertainment licence would be issued following the usual site inspection by officers.

XII GREENSPACE SCOTLAND

There was submitted Agenda Note AN212-2005 regarding Greenspace Scotland which was a national umbrella trust established by Scottish National Heritage to take forward the Greenspace for Communities Initiative at a national level.

The Committee noted that Dundee Partnership for the Environment had become a member of Greenspace Scotland in October 2004 and that an invitation to accept a seat on the Board of Greenspace Scotland had been received. As Dundee Partnership for the Environment had proposed their Chair (The Director of Leisure and Arts), the Committee agreed that the Director of Leisure and Arts be a Director of Greenspace Scotland.

XIII WARD ROAD GYM UPGRADING - ASBESTOS REMOVAL

Councillor Macpherson declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his position as Board member.

Reference was made to Article III(a)(i) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th January 2005. There was submitted Agenda Note AN213-2005 reporting for the information of the Committee that the Director of Leisure and Arts, after consultation with the City Architectural Services Officer, the Convener and Spokespersons of the Other Groups, had agreed to accept the lowest offer by Trojan Contracting and DIY Limited to carry out the above works for the sum of 4,600 plus allowances of 300 for Planning Supervisor and 766 for professional services making a total expenditure of 5,676.

XIV MAGDALEN GREEN - PURCHASE OF BOW TOP FENCING

There was submitted Agenda Note AN214-2005 advising that an offer of 12,790 had been received from P&G Blacksmiths, a specialist supplier, for the supply and installation of the above fence.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer.

CHARLES FARQUHAR, Convener.