Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 27/08/2007

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th August, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 13th August, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT YOUTH WORK

There was submitted Report No 407-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities advising the Committee on the strategic development of Community Learning and Development (CLD) Youth Work in Dundee.

The Committee approved the strategic development priorities and the key actions described in the report.

II DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP LAF YOUTH ACTIVITIES EVALUATION AND MONITORINGREPORT

There was submitted Report No 415-2007 by the Head of Community Learning and Development seeking approval of the 2006-2007 Evaluation and Monitoring Report to the Scottish Executive for the dispersal of the Local Action Fund: Youth Activities as per the conditions of grant award.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the 2007-2008 monitoring and evaluation report to the Scottish Executive;

(ii) note the increase in levels of participation in youth activities under the initiative as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(iii) promote the extension of this funding initiative by the Scottish Executive post 1st April, 2008.

III COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 386-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities advising the Committee of progress with implementation of the Communities Department Service Plan which was approved by Committee in January 2004.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and the progress achieved.

IV LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 387-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities advising the Committee of progress with implementation of the Leisure and Arts Department Service Plan 2003-2007.

The Committee noted the contents of the report and the progress made on the Department's Key Objectives, Projects and Reviews as described in Appendix 1 of the report in relation to the Leisure and Arts Department Service Plan 2003-2007.

V McMANUS GALLERIES

There was submitted Joint Report No 385-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities and Depute Chief Executive (Finance) to update the Committee on the latest projected capital cost of the McManus Galleries Redevelopment Project and to seek approval to incur the additional expenditure referred to in this report. The report also instructed officers to make strenuous efforts to access additional external funding with which to fund this additional cost.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the additional underpinning expenditure of 1,540,000 as detailed in the report;

(ii) note the overspend of 430,000 on the current construction contracts as referred to in the report;

(iii) approve the instruction of the Director of Leisure and Communities and Depute Chief Executive (Finance) to endeavour to gain additional external funding with which to fund the aforementioned expenditure, in particular that the Scottish Executive and corporate benefactors be approached directly; and

(iv) recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that the capital expenditure budget for the McManus Galleries Redevelopment be increased by 1,970,000.

VI CONSTRUCTION OF WHEELED SPORTS FACILITY - FINLATHEN PARK

There was submitted Agenda Note AN209-2007, whereby reference was made to Article XIV of the minute of meeting of the Leisure and Arts Services Committee of 19th March, 2007 where authority was given for the City Engineer to invite tenders for the above works and for the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to accept the most favourable tender for the works as recommended by the City Engineer.

Valid tenders were returned by four contractors ranging from 78,526.53 to 114,983.19.

In order to remain within the available budget, the scope of the works was amended and a tender of 55,148.51 negotiated with the lowest tenderer, Forman Construction Limited. Allowances of 9,851.49 for professional fees and contingencies were added, giving a total expenditure of 65,000. This negotiated tender was accepted by the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services).

The Depute Chief Executive (Finance) confirmed that funding was available as follows:-

The Committee approved the funding as detailed.

VII OLYMPIA LEISURE CENTRE - LEISURE POOL RAPID RIVER RESTORATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN211-2007 advising that following failure of part of the internal wall tile covering of the Rapid River, consultation took place with the City Engineer and as a result, a quotation was sought from a specialist contractor to restore and improve the wall tiling on this popular feature at Olympia.

A quotation of 16,670 from specialist supplier, Commercial and Specialised Diving Ltd, had been received for the works.

The works would be undertaken out of hours while the pool was still full of water so that there was no disruption to customers. There was provision in the Leisure and Communities Department's Capital Budget for this work.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 443-2007 by City Architectural Services Officer detailing the undernoted tenders:-

(i) McMANUS GALLERIES - DISPLAY CASE PACKAGE

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender by Conservation by Design Limited amounting to 471.88, together with allowances of 11,797 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 483,682.

(ii) WELLGATE - CENTRAL LIBRARY REFURBISHMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services, together with allowances of 350 for CDM Co-ordinator and 24,250 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 200,000.

IX VOCAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2007

There was submitted Agenda Note AN214-2007 advising the Committee that the above annual conference by VOCAL (The Voice of Chief Officers of Cultural, Community and Leisure Services in Scotland) will take place in Dunblane on 6th and 7th September, 2007 at a cost of 150 per delegate for one day's attendance, excluding travel and subsistence.

The Committee authorised the attendance of the Convener and an officer.

Richard McCREADY, Convener.