Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 11/06/2001

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th June, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th May, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIPS - ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES 2001/2002

There was submitted Report No. 367-2001 from the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development bringing forward proposals for the further allocation of Social Inclusion Partnership revenue funding and awards from the Small Grants Programme 2001/2002. The Report also provided further details of the SIP Spring Clean-Up which was carried out during February and March 2001, and the re-allocation of revenue funding to the Community Safety Fund. Both were funded from unallocated balances and slippage in the 2000/2001 revenue allocation.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)to note the recommendations of the Dundee Partnership Community Regeneration Group in progressing one deferred proposal from SIP 1 revenue funding for 2001/2002 as detailed in Appendix A of the Report.

(b)to agree the award of SIP I and 2 Small Revenue Grants as set out in Appendices B and C.

(c)to note the activity achieved as a result of the SIP Spring Clean-Up as detailed in Section 7.1 of the Report and the re-allocation to the Community Safety Fund as detailed in Section 7.2.

II THE CORNER - YOUNG PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND INFORMATION PROJECT - FUTURE DIRECTION

There was submitted Report No. 368-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development outlining plans which will enable "The Corner" to establish a new organisational structure to maximise its potential as a major resource for young people.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a)plans to retain the current Management structure at "The Corner" involving City Council staff from Neighbourhood Resources and Development and the Education Departments in partnership with Tayside Primary Care NHS Trust.

(b)the development of a new charity as an Unincorporated Association to be known as "Corner Connections" which would work in a complimentary manner with the current Joint Management Group (see Appendix 1 of the Report).

(c)the construction of a model constitution and approach the Inland Revenue in order to have the constitution approved as acceptable for recognition for charitable purposes.

III SPECIALISED DIGITISATION EQUIPMENT

There was submitted Report No. 369-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing a quotation received for the purchase of Specialised Digitisation equipment (Solar M1 Colour Photo Scanner) and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

The Committee approved acceptance of the quotation submitted by Solar Microfilm Equipment Limited in the amount of 8,124.

IV DEVELOPING LOCAL MANAGEMENT

There was submitted Report No. 375-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development updating the Committee on the future of local centre management groups across the City and seeking authority to further devolve areas of decision making to such groups and to further develop the working partnership with them.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) to note this update on developments.

(b)to approve the establishment of a Federation of Local Management Groups duly constituted for charitable recognition and discharging functions as outlined in Paragraph 7.5 of the Report.

(c)to approve the Department's response to proposals to further devolve decision making responsibility to elected Management Groups as outlined in the Appendix to the Report.

(d)to agree to the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development exploring further options and proposals in developing the identified issues arising from the visioning exercise. Options and recommendations which require Committee approval will be the subject of further detailed Reports (see Paragraph 7.4 of the Report).

V ADULT EDUCATION SUPPORT FUND 2001/2002

The Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department had received an approach for support from the University of Dundee who have run an Access Summer School on an annual basis since 1993.

To date, the programme had assisted 543 potential graduates from a disadvantaged background to secure places in Further and Higher Education programmes. The course which has a 96% completion rate, was recognised at national and international levels as one of the most effective of its type.

Previously, through Social Inclusion Partnership funding, assistance had been given to the development of the programme.

The Education Department currently supported all eligible entrants at a rate of 25 per week for each of the ten weeks of the programme. The University had written to the Neighbourhood Resources Development Department asking for support for those who meet the disadvantage criteria, and who were 20 years of age and over. The Education Department will continue to support those under 20 years. The programme would be match-funded by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The Committee approved a contribution of 1,500 from the Department's Adult Education Support Fund.

VI NON-RECURRING REVENUE GRANTS FUND 2001/2002

At its meeting on 10th February, 1997, the Committee approved the criteria and procedures for the Department's grant aid portfolio (Report No. 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No. 371-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing a specific grant award which could be met from the relevant revenue budget 2001/2002.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 1,030 to the Dundee School Children's Holiday Fund.

VII ADULT EDUCATION FUND I - 2001/2002

At its meeting on 10th February, 1997, the Committee approved the criteria and procedures for the Department's grant aid portfolio (Report No. 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No. 372-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing a specific grant award which could be met from the relevant Revenue Budget 2001/2002.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 2,350 to the Harris Education and Recreation Association.

VIII NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FUND II - 2001/2002

At its meeting on 10th February, 1997, the Committee approved the criteria procedures for the Department's grant aid portfolio (Report No. 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No. 373-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing recommended grant awards which could be met from the relevant Revenue Budget 2001/2002.

The Committee approved payment of the following grants:-

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) - 300

Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) - 1,484

IX EQUALITY ACTION FUND I - 2001/2002

At its meeting on 10th February, 1997, the Committee approved the criteria and procedures for the Department's grant aid portfolio (Report No. 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No. 374-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing a recommendation for a specific grant award which could be met from the relevant Revenue Budget 2001/2002.

The Committee approved payment of a recommended grant of 746 to the Focal Point Photography Group.

The following item was considered as an urgent item in view of the timescales involved under Standing Order No. 51(3)(b).

X ARDLER NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIP - THE VILLAGE TRUST COMPANY

There was submitted Report No. 370-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development outlining possible options for the role and functions of the proposed Ardler Village Trust Company and seeking direction over a preferred option to progress.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) to consider the issues arising from the Report.

(b)to agree to the roles, general principles under which a Village Trust Company may be formed. (See Paragraph 6.1, Sections 7 and 8 and Appendix 2 of the Report).

(c)to approve the further development of proposals to progress the establishment of the Ardler Village Trust Company as per Appendix 3 of the Report.

CHARLES FARQUHAR, Convener.