Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 14/04/2008

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th April, 2008.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

George REGAN

Willie SAWERS

Derek J SCOTT

Helen WRIGHT

Roderick A J WALLACE

Ian BORTHWICK

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Kevin KEENAN

Fraser MACPHERSON

Will DAWSON

Mohammed ASIF

Helen DICK

Bob DUNCAN

Laurie BIDWELL

Ken GUILD

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Tom FERGUSON

Jim BARRIE

Stewart HUNTER

Brian GORDON

Jimmy BLACK

Ken LYNN

Richard McCREADY

David BOWES

Christina ROBERTS

Joe MORROW

Andrew DAWSON

Alan G ROSS

 

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th March, 2008 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

Prior to the commencement of business the Convener, on behalf of the Committee, extended his congratulations to Tony Boffey, Head of Community Learning and Development, on his award of Youth Manager of the Year (2008) by Youth Link (Scotland), in recognition of his contribution to the management of youth work in Dundee and also nationally.

 

I ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS TO COMMUNITY COUNCILS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD REPRESENTATIVE STRUCTURES 2008/2009

 

There was submitted Report No 202-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the payment of administrative grants for the financial year 2008/2009 to Community Councils and Neighbourhood Representative Structures in existence or established during this 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 2008/2009 in accordance with the Council's Revised Scheme for the Operation of Community Councils;

 

(ii) administrative grants also be awarded to other Neighbourhood Representative Structures which met the eligibility criteria set out in Committee Report No 725-2002;

 

(iii) grants be awarded according to the following formulae; a lump sum of 330 per Community Council/Neighbourhood Representative Structure plus 1.2p per resident in each area;

 

(iv) an Administration grant of 440 be awarded to the Dundee Civic Forum; and

 

(v) Community Councils or Neighbourhood Representative Structures established beyond 1st April, 2008 would only be eligible for a grant for the part of the year from their inception.

 

II DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP GRANT AWARDS UP TO £500 (2007/2008)

 

Councillor Keenan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his Council appointment to Dundee International Womens Centre.

 

Bailies Regan and Wallace and Councillors Asif, Dick, Barrie and Roberts declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointment to Tayside Fire and Rescue Board.

 

There was submitted Report No 208-2008 by the Co-Chairpersons Dundee Community Safety Partnership detailing awards each up to the value of 500 that had been made during the financial year 2007-2008.

 

The Committee noted the detailed payments outlined below:

 

Applicant

Grant Purpose

Grant Awarded

 

Balunie Residents' Association

Costs related to local child cycle security marking.

400

 

 

 

Dundee International Women's Centre

Assistance with costs to promote a community safety day event for targeted ethnic communities.

500

 

 

 

Dundee Peer Education Project

Assistance with organisation costs for the development of internet safety resources for young people.

500

 

 

 

Dundee Domestic Abuse Forum

Assistance to sponsor a training seminar to raise awareness of domestic abuse and safety issues.

500

 

 

 

Dundee Trade Union (Pensioners) Group

Assistance to fund a targeted Community Safety Day for senior citizens.

306

 

 

 

Tayside Fire and Rescue

Assistance with costs related to the Safe Drive Stay Alive Youth Safety Event.

500

 

III REVIEW OF DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY WARDENS

 

There was submitted Report No 164-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the recommendations and proposals arising from the review of the Dundee Community Safety Wardens.

 

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Community Safety Warden Review and approved the following recommendations:-

 

(i) All Community Safety Warden Teams be deployed on the basis of intelligence led tasking on a phased basis by 31st March, 2009;

 

(ii) All staffing implications be remitted to the Chief Executive;

 

(iii) Day duties be introduced to reflect a growing requirement to liaise with schools and other youth provision on preventative educational programmes and to offer a reassuring community safety liaison particularly for the elderly by visiting sheltered housing complexes;

 

(iv) The Community Safety Warden Advisory Group composition and remit be re-examined to reflect the move from designated geographical Warden patrolled areas; and

 

(v) The Head of Community Learning and Development explore with the Divisional Commander, Central Division, Tayside Police options to extend the duties of the Warden service to assist in the reduction of anti-social behaviour.

 

IV BAXTER PARK - USE BY BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN67-2008 advising that an application had been received from the Pastor of the Bible Baptist Church to hold open air preaching meetings at Baxter Park between 28th July, 2008 to 1st August, 2008 and 4th August, 2008 to 8th August, 2008 from 4pm - 9pm. The church proposed to erect a tent in the park on 28th July, 2008 and dismantle it on 8th August, 2008 and they would provide their own security.

 

In respect of the use of the park, the Committee agreed that this be approved subject to the Bible Baptist Church having the appropriate insurance indemnifying the Council and also that they would have to pay for any reinstatement costs or damage to the area and any other charges for services requested from the Council, having noted that normal public access would continue to be available.

 

V APPLICATION TO HOLD A CIRCUS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN68-2008 advising that a request had been received from Big Kid Circus to operate a circus from 7th July, 2008 to 13th July, 2008 inclusive at Caird Park, Dundee.

 

The "modern circus arts production" is light hearted and well suited to children and adults alike. The show's storyline would involve a child in need. It would be presented by a Guardian Angel, who would communicate the moral of the story and the reason why they work in conjunction with the BBC's Children in Need Appeal. The programme would be 100% animal friendly by being 100% animal free.

 

The Committee approved the event and agreed that it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to negotiate a Licence Fee subject to the Council's normal conditions of let. The event would also 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. In addition, an acceptable Risk Assessment would have to be forwarded and approved by the relevant Council Officer prior to the event going ahead.

 

VI DUNDEE ICE ARENA - REVENUE SUPPORT 2008/2009

 

The Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Scott and Councillor Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointment to Dundee Ice Arena Board.

 

There was submitted Report No 225-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities detailing a request for renewal of Revenue Grant funding to Dundee Ice Arena for the year 2008/2009.

 

The Committee approved the level of Revenue Grant funding amounting to 100,000 as set out in the report.

 

 

 

 

Richard McCREADY, Convener.