Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 13/05/2002

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th May 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th April 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS TO COMMUNITY COUNCILS 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No. 336-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking approval for the payment of administrative grants for the financial year April 2002 to March 2003 to Community Councils in existence or established during the year and to confirm the formulae for payment.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) that administrative grants be awarded to all Community Councils currently in existence or established during 2002/2003 in accordance with the Dundee City Council's Scheme for the Operation of Community Councils.

(b) that grants are awarded according to the following formulae:-

a lump of 330 per Community Council plus 1.2p per resident in each Council's area (Appendices I and 2 of the Report refer).

(c) that an administration grant of 440 is awarded to the Association of Dundee Community Councils.

II ARDLER NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIP - THE VILLAGE TRUST COMPANY

There was submitted Report No. 337-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking approval for the establishment of Ardler Village Trust as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. The report also sought approval of Council nominations to the new Company.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) to agree the draft Memorandum and Articles of Association as circulated to the Group Secretaries which are necessary to form the Ardler Village Trust as a Company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

(b) to authorise the Interim Ardler Village Trust Company to seek registration and recognition from the Title Examiner in order to gain charitable status.

(c) to approve the nomination of four Council representatives as Directors as follows:-

the Director of Housing or nominee.

The Director of Planning and Transportation or nominee

The Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development or nominee.

The elected Ward Councillor or Elected Member nominee.

The attendance of a range of Service Department Officers to discharge consultation, professional and administrative duties on behalf of the new Company and the Council was authorised.

(d) to require the new Company to hold relevant and adequate insurance cover to indemnify all Directors and Council servicing personnel against litigation whilst pursuing the Company's business and decision making.

(e) to note the interim financial support arrangements for the new Company as per paragraph 3 of the report.

III DEFINING AND MEASURING POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No. 338-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development providing an update on the implementation of the Dundee City Council Anti-poverty Strategy recommendation to review Council information on poverty. The report also highlighted some of the issues/difficulties involved in gathering, analysing and presenting strategic information on poverty and social exclusion and recommended ways in which the Council could overcome these difficulties to achieve its Anti-poverty Strategy objective.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) to note the progress made to date on the review of Council information on poverty.

(b) to acknowledge the difficulties involved in gathering, analysing and presenting strategic social justice/poverty data.

(c) to support a partnership bid to the Scottish Executive through the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics Initiative to fund a project which will define and measure poverty and social exclusion in Dundee.

(d) to agree the formation of a steering group which includes representation from Dundee's Community Planning partners, to oversee project planning, implementation and monitoring.

IV SUPPLY OF LIBRARY RESOURCES

There was submitted Report No. 339-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking approval of proposals for the supply of library resources.

The Committee approved the proposals for the supply of library resources as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the report.

V SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP - ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No. 340-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development bringing forward proposals for the further allocation of Social Inclusion Partnerships 1 and 2 Small Grants Fund.

The Committee agreed the award of a Social Inclusion Partnership 1 and 2 Small Grants as detailed in Appendices A and B of the report.

VI COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN ARDLER, CHARLESTON AND LOCHEE - A REPORT BY H.M. INSPECTORATE OFEDUCATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN62-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development stating that the above inspection had taken place in January and February 2002. The Inspectors had observed sessions of work on 24 occasions and carried out 49 interviews with staff, members of relevant organisations and participants in activities.

The Inspectors used 43 quality indicators during this inspection. The area of inspection was awarded five top grades (very good), and 34 second top grades (good). The inspection reports now included sections highlighting best practice and the report contained no fewer that eight best practice boxes covering work with young people, adult learning guidance and use of ICT and neighbourhood regeneration work.

The reports scored four areas of work as fair but these were mainly related to a citywide decision to delay the updating of local targets and quality assurance measures whilst the new community plans were being introduced. No area of work was judged to be unsatisfactory.

The Inspectors' report represented a very satisfactory measure of achievement during a period of major staff reviews and significant work development in the area of inspection.

The Committee noted the outcome of the inspection.

VII INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WORK FUND 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No. 341-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development making a recommendation for a grant award from the International Youth Work Fund. The grant award would be met from the Department's Revenue Budget 2002/2003.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 750 to the City of Dundee Scout Council.

Councillor Powrie declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion.

VIII NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FUND 1 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No. 342-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development making recommendations for grant awards from the National Organisation's Fund. The grant awards would be met from the Department's Revenue Budget 2002/2003.

The Committee approved the recommended grants as follows:-

Scottish Human Rights Centre (formerly The Scottish Council for Civil Liberties) 1,470

LEAD Scotland (Linking Education and Disability) 1,272

Volunteer Development Scotland 120

The Poverty Alliance 240

IX NON RECURRING REVENUE GRANTS FUND 1 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No. 343-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development making a recommendation for a grant award from the Non Recurring Revenue Grants Fund. The grant award would be met from the Department's Revenue Budget 2002/2003.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 1,000 to the Balerno Activities Group (Douglas/Craigie).

Helen WRIGHT, Convener