Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 15/10/2001

At a MEETING of the LEISURE SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th October, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th September, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CAIRD PARK - APPLICATION FOR USE - CHINESE STATE CIRCUS

It was reported that a request had been received from "The European Entertainment Corporation" for permission to hold circus performances in Dundee from Monday 18th to Sunday 23rd June, 2002 at Caird Park relative to the intended 2002 Scotland Tour of the Chinese State Circus.

The Committee granted permission and remitted to the Director of Economic Development to negotiate an appropriate lease with the circus based on the strict adherence to the "No Performing Animal Policy" and subject to the Council's normal conditions in respect of insurance etc.

II CARPET BEDDING SCHEME - 2002

The Director of Leisure and Parks reported that the department had sites available for carpet bedding schemes at the McManus Galleries for 2002 which could be planted to celebrate a local or national event or charities.

The Committee agreed to a request from the Samaritans to celebrate their 40th anniversary and as no other requests had been received, agreed to utilise the remaining carpet bed as part of celebrations to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebration 2002.

III LEISURE AND PARKS ROAD REPAIRS

The Director of Leisure and Parks reported that he had instructed the City Engineer to prepare proposals for repairs to the existing roads at Baxter, Camperdown and Caird Parks, Eastern and Balgay Cemeteries, Mill O'Mains and Wright Avenue, off Riverside Road.

The Committee agreed to accept an offer of 39,730.80 from Lightways Contracts for the works to which required to be added an allowance of 4,569.20 for contingencies and 5,700 for professional fees giving a total expenditure of 50,000.

IV MIDDLETON COMMUNITY WOODLAND PATH DEVELOPMENT

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st February, 2000, the Director of Leisure and Parks submitted Report No. 647-2001 requesting approval for further phases of path creation at Middleton Community Woodland dependent upon the approval of external funding.

The Committee,

(a)approved Phase III of footpath and infrastructure development at Middleton Community Woodland and remitted to the Director of Leisure and Parks to work in partnership with Middleton Community Woodland Group to bring forward a programme of works; and

(b)noted that the Leisure and Parks Department would make a contribution to the project from its capital budgets depending on the approval of the external funding.

V SWALLOW JUNCTION UNDERPASS IMPROVEMENTS

On a reference to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee of 24th September, 2001 there was submitted Joint Report No. 543-2001 by the Director of Planning and Transportation and the Director of Leisure and Parks advising the Committee of the arrangements to progress improvements for pedestrians at the Swallow Junction.

The Committee approved the proposals and joint working arrangements for improvement of the underpass and the financial arrangements required to construct a path at this location.

VI SWIMMING/LEISURE FACILITIES IN DUNDEE

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th November, 1999 the Director of Leisure and Parks submitted Report No. 651-2001 giving the recommendations of the Swimming/Leisure Facilities in Dundee Working Group.

The Committee:-

(a)Agreed that until proposals are finalised, that the City Council continues to maintain Olympia Leisure Centre and support its capital and revenue costs.

(b)Agreed that the City Council enters into discussions with Dundee University in regard to proposals for the building of a swimming pool suitable for club use.

(c)Agreed to continue to explore the requirements of the Olympia Centre to extend its life and how this may be achieved with specific reference to accessibility, and the creation of a Non Profit Distributing Organisation.

(d)Agreed to continue to explore the alternative options put forward by the consultants to the Working Group as outlined in the Report.

(e)Agreed that the Director of Leisure and Parks report back to the City Council after discussions have been progressed with Dundee University and the City's Swimming Clubs, and the future proposals for swimming pool provisions are finalised, including a clear indication where and when funding may be available.

(f)Agreed that public access to school pools throughout Dundee is also explored.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No. 642-2001 giving details of offers received for the above works.

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Briggs Roofing and Cladding Limited amounting to 141,403.93 to which required to be added an allowance of 25,075 for professional fees making a total expenditure of 166,478.93.

VIII DUNDEE CULTURAL STRATEGY 2001-2006

The Director of Arts and Heritage and the Director of Leisure and Parks submitted Report No. 635-2001 seeking approval of the documents "Dundee Cultural Strategy 2001-2006".

The Committee approved the contents of the strategy document.

IX BAXTER PARK - HERITAGE LOTTERY GRANT

The Committee noted with gratitude that Baxter Park had received an Urban Parks Programme Heritage Lottery Grant for 3.25 million which was the second largest grant of its type in Scotland and that this would be used as part of the restoration plan for Baxter Park over the next seven years. The Committee also noted that funding of approximately 262,000 had been secured from Historic Scotland.

CHARLES FARQUHAR, Convener.