Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 08/12/2008

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 8th December, 2008.

 

Present:-

 

Depute Lord Provost Ian BORTHWICK

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

Helen WRIGHT

Willie SAWERS

Derek J SCOTT

 

Roderick A J WALLACE

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Kevin KEENAN

Fraser MACPHERSON

Bob DUNCAN

Mohammed ASIF

Helen DICK

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Laurie BIDWELL

Ken GUILD

Stewart HUNTER

Tom FERGUSON

Jim BARRIE

Ken LYNN

Brian GORDON

Jimmy BLACK

Christina ROBERTS

Richard McCREADY

David BOWES

Alan G ROSS

Joe MORROW

Andrew DAWSON

Donald HAY

 

Will DAWSON

 

 

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

 

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

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

Prior to the commencement of business, the Convener extended his thanks to those involved in the Sport Dundee Awards 2008, and congratulations were also extended to all participants. The Convener further noted that the Sports Development Section were award winners at the Activities in Schools Scottish Athletic Awards, and all staff involved were thanked for their commitment and dedication.

 

I LITERACIES PARTNERSHIP THREE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2005/2008

 

There was submitted Report No 537-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities informing the Committee of the progress made on the 2005/2008 Strategic Literacies Plan, which was approved by the Scottish Executive in December 2005.

 

The Committee noted the progress and achievements of the Partnership during the period of the Strategic Plan.

 

II REDUCTION OF BLUE ALGAE BLOOM

 

There was submitted Report No 607-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking consent for a programme of remedial water treatment at Clatto Reservoir and lower Stobswell Pond to reduce the bloom of blue algae over the summer period.

 

The Committee agreed that:-

 

(i) remedial water treatment works commence at both locations during the period 2008/2009;

 

(ii) collaboration commence with Scottish Water, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Dundee University and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology over longer term reduction of blue algae bloom risk to ensure monitoring levels would be reduced and maintained below safe human/animal immersion health risk levels under Health and Safety guidance; and

 

(iii) remedial water treatment contract be subject to independent agreed performance measures, to be tested in 2009, prior to full settlement of the final contract payment.

 

III FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO BALERNO COMMUNITY ACTIVITY GROUP

 

There was submitted Report No 609-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for a Revenue Grant to Balerno Community Activity Group.

 

The Committee approved the award of 800 towards the overall running costs for Balerno Community Activity Group. This would enable the organisation to continue to deliver a responsive programme of social, leisure and recreational activities for the over fifties age group in the Douglas area.

 

IV DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP - COMMISSIONED SERVICES 2008/2009

 

There was submitted Report No 615-2008 by the Co-Chair of Dundee Community Safety Partnership advising the Committee on the disbursement of Dundee Community Safety Partnership funding which had received Scottish Government consent to carry forward from 2007/2008.

 

The Committee noted the disbursement of seven commissioned services which fell within the strategic assessment for the Dundee Community Safety Partnership in 2008/2009.

 

V DUNDEE MUSICIANS AWARD ALLOCATION

 

There was submitted Report No 620-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities making recommendations for the allocation of awards from The Dundee Musicians' Award Scheme for 2008.

 

The Committee approved the grants as detailed below:-

 

The Grace Emilys

1,000 contribution to a tour of Europe in February/March 2009.

 

 

Sarah Harrop

310 for training in vocal technique for group singers.

 

 

The Lost Todorovs

800 to support the development and recording of a mini-album.

 

VI DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL VOLUNTARY SECTOR LIAISON GROUP (VSLG)

 

This item was withdrawn.

 

VII DUNDEE VISUAL ARTISTS AWARDS

 

There was submitted Report No 622-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities making a recommendation for grant awards from the Dundee Visual Artist' Award Scheme from the second round of applications this year. The first round was in May.

 

The Committee approved the grants as detailed below:-

 

Artist

Project Supported

Grant Awarded

 

 

 

Aaron McCloskey

To develop a new video work to be exhibited in Copenhagen in 2009.

858

 

 

 

Valerie Norris

To research and develop a new body of screen prints at DCA Print Studio.

770

 

 

 

Anna Orton

To develop new collaborative work for exhibition in 2009.

500

 

 

 

John Louden

To produce new work for exhibition at DCA in 2009.

750

 

Artist

Project Supported

Grant Awarded

 

 

 

Mike Inglis

To research and develop a new body of prints and installation work.

500

 

 

 

Miranda Blennerhassett

To research and produce new work for exhibition in Edinburgh in 2009.

600

 

 

 

Michael Mallett

Towards the research and development of new work.

750

 

 

 

Stuart Lorimer

To develop new paintings for exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh in 2009.

450

 

 

 

Ronald Forbes

Towards the production of a publication showcasing new work produced during a residency period at the Scottish Crop Research Institute.

600

 

 

 

Lauren Gault

To produce new work for exhibition in Dundee and at Southbank Centre, London in 2009.

500

 

 

 

Mark Wallace

Towards the research, design and production of new audio visual work.

700

 

 

 

Louisa Preston

To support a residency opportunity at Stills Gallery in Edinburgh.

600

 

 

 

Trevor Gordon

To research and undertake a project linking visual art and literature between Dundee, Keith and Canada.

750

 

 

 

Douglas Roulston

Towards the development of new work and an artist's book on the theme of mythical Scottish landscape.

750

 

 

 

Erin Ward

To develop a programme of exhibitions in Dundee.

750

 

 

 

Gyllian Rae

To develop research in colour theory in an arts and healthcare context.

700

 

VIII DOUGLAS SPORTS CENTRE

 

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

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN220-2008 advising the Committee that an offer of 6,850 had been received from specialist company, Electroguard, 203 Strathmore Avenue, Dundee for the replacement of three existing external cameras along with the control matrix unit (the existing units are all beyond economical repair). This company currently maintained the CCTV systems within all facilities operated by Dundee Leisure.

 

The replacement would ensure that external security was maintained including front and rear car park areas where various Council vehicles were parked overnight.

 

The Committee agreed that the offer be accepted, having noted that the total expenditure of 6,850 could be met from the allocation within the Leisure and Communities 2008/2009 Capital Budget.

 

IX COMMUNITY SAFETY - SAFER STREETS INITIATIVE

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN221-2008 advising the Committee that the Scottish Government had invited the Dundee Community Safety Partnership to apply for external funding totalling 40,000 for 2008/2009 to mount specific city centre safety initiatives under the Safer Streets Initiative.

 

The Scottish Government had asked that no new initiatives be mounted and that previous Dundee based initiatives of strengthening city centre policy visibility over the festive season, youth diversionary provision to drug/alcohol free events and services related to Best Bar None safety preventative strategies be earmarked for support.

 

The Committee noted this information, and further noted that the Partnership would formally report on the distribution and evaluation of outcomes for this funding by 31st March, 2009.

 

X OUTDOOR ACCESS IMPROVEMENT WORKS

 

There was submitted Report No 630-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for tenders for Outdoor Access Improvement Works targeted at the Green Circular Route, the City's parks and Broughty Ferry Dunes.

 

The Committee gave approval for the acceptance of the quotations submitted by T & N Gilmartin (Contractors) Ltd for Green Circular Improvements and Cycle Parking in the amount of 24,782 and Willow and Woods Ltd for Broughty Ferry Dunes Access Improvements in the amount of 1,322.

 

XI TENDERS RECEIVED

 

There was submitted Report No 636-2008 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received in respect of the undernoted contracts:-

 

(a) BROUGHTY FERRY LIBRARY - BOILER REPLACEMENT

 

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Scan Building Services Ltd in the sum of 47,018.31 to which required to be added 757 for professional services, giving a total cost of 54,593.46.

 

XII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED GOLF COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE LEISURE AND COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT DURING 2009

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN226-2008, whereby the Committee noted the following sponsored golf competitions during 2009 which would be organised in partnership with Caird or Camperdown Golf Clubs:-

 

Camperdown 18 Hole Golf Course

 

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Camperdown Golf Course in June 1959. The proposal was to have a golf week to celebrate the Anniversary by rearranging two of the Dundee City Council Sponsored Golf Competitions.

 

Additionally, the Camperdown City Foursomes - Monday, 1st June to Thursday, 4th June (evenings involving the local companies/groups) would be added in this Council Competition. This was first played in 1959 which was the year in which the Golf Course was open.

 

 

Date

 

Competition

Time

 

 

 

 

Monday to Thursday

1st June to 4th June

City Foursomes - to re-introduce this event which was first played in 1959

Tbc

 

 

 

 

Friday

5th June

J R Ritchie Ladies Rosebowl

10am - 12 noon

 

 

 

 

Saturday

6th June

Stuart Patrick Cup

7.30am - 12 noon

 

Camperdown Pitch and Putt Course

 

Sunday

7th June

The Camperdown Park Junior Open for The David Low Cup

12 noon - 3pm

 

Camperdown 18 hole Golf Course

 

Sunday

16th August

Lord Provost's Charity Cup

7am - 1pm

 

 

 

 

Thursday

20th August

Ladies Two Ball Foursomes Trophy

10am - 12 noon

 

 

 

 

Saturday

12th September

Autumn Cup, 1st Round

7am - 12 noon

 

Caird Park 18 hole Golf Course

 

Friday

17th July

The Caird Park Junior Open for the Whytock Cup

Angus County Order of Merit

1pm - 3pm

 

 

 

 

Sunday

13th September

Autumn Cup, 2nd Round

7am - 12 noon

 

XIII CAMPERDOWN PARK - ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Councillor Will Dawson declared a financial interest in this item by virtue of his employment with Scottish and Southern Energy and took no part in the discussion thereof.

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN227-2008 advising the Committee that it had been known for some time that the electrical infrastructure at Camperdown Park was in need of upgrading. The City Architectural Services Officer had carried out a detailed review of the electrical systems within the Park, taking into account the current loadings and the estimated future loadings, resulting in a scheme to resolve the issues. The study divided the Park into five main areas, each area being assessed separately for existing and future loading. The outcome involved a combination of replacement cabling, metering and switchboards throughout the Park, the estimated cost of which was in the order of 400,000 inclusive of fees. Design work was now to be undertaken and tenders invited for the work which would be reported to Committee for approval in due course.

 

Part of the estimated total cost was for the provision of a new sub-station to be provided by Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE) which required a lead-in period of up to twenty weeks. A quotation was still awaited from SSE but was anticipated to be in the order of 61,000 and approval was sought to accept this quotation when received to allow the works to be carried out in the summer of 2009.

 

The Committee approved this request accordingly.

 

IX VALEDICTORY - TONY BOFFEY

 

The Convener, on behalf of the Committee, intimated that Tony Boffey, Head of Community Learning and Development, Leisure and Communities Department, was retiring in January 2009 and paid tribute to the work he had undertaken throughout his career in local government.

 

 

 

 

Richard McCREADY, Convener.