Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 11/06/2007

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th June, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

The minutes of meetings of the Leisure and Arts Committee and the Communities Committee of 16th April, 2007 were held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I PROJECT GRANTS ALLOCATION 2007-2008

There was submitted Report No 276-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities making a recommendation for a grant award from the Project Grants Portfolio.

The Committee approved the recommended grant of 4,000 to establish a new Youth Arts Grants Scheme for young people in Dundee.

II DUNDEE'S LOCAL ACCESS FORUM

There was submitted Report No 297-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the Constitution and Operating Principles for Dundee's Local Access Forum.

The Committee approved the Constitution and Operating Principles of Dundee's Local Access Forum.

III ANTI-POVERTY - SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTION PLAN

Councillor Gordon declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his membership of the Anti-Poverty Forum.

There was submitted Report No 166-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities reporting progress on the Anti-Poverty/Social Inclusion Action Plan produced by a Dundee Partnership Working Group, and suggesting changes to the plan.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note progress on the Anti-Poverty/Social Inclusion Action Plan summarised within Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii) approve the revised Action Plan at Appendix 2 to the report;

(iii) note the Policy Framework for Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion as outlined in Appendix 3 to the report; and

(iv) receive a progress report on the Action Plan in twelve months' time.

IV DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP GRANTS AWARDS UP TO £500

Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his membership of Ferrysafe.

There was submitted Report No 248-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities detailing awards each up to the value of 500 that had been made during the financial year 2006-2007.

The Committee noted the payments detailed below:-

V DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP - ALLOCATION OF LOCAL ACTION FUND 2007-2008

There was submitted Report No 281-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the allocation of grant awards from the Local Action Fund.

The Committee approved the allocation of grants outlined in Appendix I to the minute.

VI NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FUND II 2007-2008

There was submitted Report No 252-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities making recommendations for membership grant awards from the National Organisations Fund.

The Committee approved membership/support for National Organisations as detailed below:-

VII ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS TO COMMUNITY COUNCILS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD REPRESENTATIVE STRUCTURES2007/2008

There was submitted Report No 257-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the payment of administrative grants for the financial year April 2007 to March 2008 to Community Councils and Neighbourhood Representative Structures in existence or established during the year, and to confirm the formulae for payment.

The Committee agreed that:-

(i) Administrative grants be awarded to all Community Councils currently in existence or established during 2007/2008 in accordance with the Council's Revised Scheme for the Operation of Community Councils as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii) Administrative grants also be awarded to other Neighbourhood Representative Structures which meet the eligibility criteria set out in Committee Report No 725-2002 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(iii) Grants be awarded according to the following forumulae: a lump sum of 330 per Community Council/Neighbourhood Representative Structure plus 1.2p per resident in each area as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report;

(iv) An administration grant of 440 be awarded to the Dundee Civic Forum, the successor body to the Community Neighbourhood Representative Structures and the Association of Dundee Community Councils; and

(v) Community Councils or Neighbourhood Representative Structures established beyond 1st April, 2007 would only be eligible for a grant for the part of the year from their inception.

VIII TEMPLETON WOODS ALL ABILITIES ARTS TRAIL

There was submitted Report No 308-2007 by Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the implementation of the Templeton Woods All Abilities Arts Trail Project.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the Templeton Woods All Abilities Arts Trail Project;

(ii) accept the grant of 7,043 from Scottish Natural Heritage; and

(iii) remit the Director of Leisure and Communities to submit a tender report to the August Committee.

IX DISC AND DOUGLAS FLOORING REFURBISHMENT

The Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Wallace and Councillors Asif and Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointments to Dundee Leisure.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN132-2007 advising that an offer of 29,082 had been received from G L Floors, 77 Whitehill Street, Newcraighall, Edinburgh, EH21 2QZ for post-election refurbishment of the Sports Hall floor at DISC and the refurbishment of the Activity Room flooring at the Douglas Sports Centre. This company are specialist flooring contractors who originally installed the flooring at DISC and who maintain all the wooden flooring areas at DISC and the Douglas Sports Centre. This refurbishment would include a machine sand to a fine finish and application of three coats of lacquer to the existing flooring and the re-marking of the court markings.

The Committee agreed that the offer be accepted, having noted that the total expenditure of 29,082 could be met from the allocation within the Leisure and Communities 2007/08 Capital Budget.

X NATIONAL PLAYING FIELDS - LOCHEE PARK

There was submitted Agenda Note AN133-2007 advising that the Council had received an approach from the National Playing Fields Association about the possibility of entering into an agreement between the two organisations in relation to protecting parkland, public open space and perpetuity. National Playing Fields Association are a registered charity whose mission statement "Striving to improve the quality of life and health of everyone, the NPFA will work to ensure the availability, protection and development of high quality, well used local facilities for outdoor sport and play for all communities, throughout the nation". The organisation provides advice to Councils, organisations and the public in relation to protection of open space.

NPFA already have a role within Dundee City Council with an area at Caird Park designated George V Playing Field Area to the east of the park where they have a legal status where any proposals to develop the area are subject to consultation with National Playing Fields Association.

The Committee agreed that the Director of Leisure and Communities, together with the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) be given permission to enter into an agreement in respect of Lochee Park. The principles of the agreement would be reported back to Committee where final approval for the partnership would be sought.

XI BROUGHTY FERRY LOCAL NATURE RESERVE INTERPRETATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN134-2007 advising that the Committee had been asked to agree on the provision of interpretative facilities for the Broughty Ferry Local Nature Reserve. Scotland in Bloom judges highlighted this as an area for future development to enhance the Local Nature Reserve. Facilities provided are to include an interpretation panel and information leaflets. The interpretation panel would be designed and installed by The Osprey Company, who are currently replacing the information boards along the Green Circular route. The information leaflets would be printed by David Winter and Son.

The Committee approved accordingly having noted that the total cost of the provision would be 2,000 to be met through Quality of Life funding.

XII LOCHEE SWIMMING AND LEISURE CENTRE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE CLOSURE

The Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Wallace and Councillors Asif and Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointments to Dundee Leisure.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN135-2007 advising that to enable boiler testing, essential maintenance and a programme of deep-cleaning to take place, Lochee Swimming and Leisure Centre would close from Tuesday, 14th August, 2007 until Friday, 24th August both dates inclusive. The Committee approved this closure request.

XIII UPGRADING OF THE HANWELL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEM WITHIN McMANUS GALLERIES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN136-2007 advising that monitoring of the environment within the display and storage spaces at McManus Galleries is undertaken using a radio telemetry system supplied by specialist contractor Hanwell Environmental Systems. The monitoring would help to ensure that the conditions in which the City Council's collections are housed do not cause long-term deterioration.

The McManus Restoration Project provides the opportunity to upgrade and extend the system, taking account of advances in technology and to comply with changes to licensing of radio wavelengths. The proposed upgrade would extend the coverage of the system and provide access to the data collected to a greater number of the museum staff.

The system would be required to be installed prior to collections being returned to McManus Galleries, as part of the display preparation process.

An application to the Scottish Museums Council for 50% grant was successful. The remainder would come from the 2007/08 Leisure and Communities Budget.

The Committee agreed that the following quotation be accepted for the purchase of the necessary equipment, and approved accordingly.

XIV PURCHASE OF MOBILE STAGE

There was submitted Agenda Note 137-2007 whereby reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Leisure and Arts Service Committee of 15th January, 2007, where a quotation of 31,600 was accepted from a specialist contractor in respect of replacement of the Department's mobile stage which is used for various groups and hired out for events. As a result of the organisation who provided the quote, failing to deliver the goods despite continual communications, Officer approval was given for a quote direct from the manufacturers Maltbury Staging Limited, Brighton. The quote was for 31,600 and this was negotiated at cost price with the previous tenderer.

The Committee approved the purchase as detailed.

XV GREEN CIRCULAR INTERPRETATION BOARDS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN162-2007 seeking approval for the replacement of the interpretation boards around the Green Circular and Greenways routes. Audits undertaken by the Countryside Ranger Service have highlighted the need to replace the older interpretation panels. The Interpretation panels would be designed and installed by The Osprey Company, a specialist maker of signs, who are currently replacing the interpretation boards along the waterfront section Green Circular route as part of a Tayside and Central Scotland Partnership funded project.

The total cost of this provision would be 7,885 to be met from the Leisure and Communities Department's 2007/08 Capital Budget.

The Committee approved the expenditure as detailed.

XVI DUNDEE CITY SPORTS COUNCIL - APPLICATION FOR GRANT 2007/08

The Convener, Bailie Wallace and Councillor Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointment to Dundee City Sports Council.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN163-2007, whereby reference was made to Article XI of the minute of meeting of the Leisure Services Committee of 16th December, 1996, wherein approval was given to allow Dundee City Sports Council to administer the Grant Aid Scheme on behalf of Dundee City Council.

It was reported that the amount of grants approved from 1st April, 2006 to 31st March, 2007 for the combined Dundee City Sports Council and Dundee City Disability Sport Grant Aid Schemes had been 6,939.84. It was forecast the actual spend would be 5,462.83.

It was therefore requested that 6,714 be allocated to Dundee City Sports Council for Grant Aid administration for the year 2007/2008.

It was also requested that 1,000 be allocated to Dundee City Sports Council from Dundee City Disability Sport for Grant Aid administration for the year 2007/2008 as agreed in Article II of the minute of meeting of the Leisure and Arts Services Committee of 21st February, 2005.

The Committee agreed that the grants be awarded, having noted that this expenditure could be met from the Leisure and Communities Department's 2007/2008 Revenue Budget for grants.

XVII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 328-2007 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

(a) CENTRAL LIBRARY - INSTALLATION OF GLAZED SCREEN TO FORM CRECHE

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 15,337 together with allowances of 3,000 for contingencies and 2,457 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 20,794.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting of the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XVIII REFURBISHED CAFE, BAXTER PARK PAVILION, BAXTER PARK, DUNDEE

There was submitted and approved Agenda Note AN131-2007 detailing a commercial lease in respect of the undernoted premises:-

The Refurbished Cafe, Baxter Park Pavilion, Baxter Park, Dundee.

Richard McCREADY, Convener.

APPENDIX I

DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP -

ALLOCATION OF LOCAL ACTION FUND 2007-2008