Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 13/08/2001

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th August, 2001.

 

Present:-

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Andrew DAWSON

Dave BEATTIE

George de GERNIER

Willie W SAWERS

C D P FARQUHAR

Helen WRIGHT

Joe FITZPATRICK

Jim BARRIE

Betty WARD

George REGAN

Julia M STURROCK

Jill SHIMI

Bruce D MACKIE

Neil GLEN

Neil I C POWRIE

Roderick A J WALLACE

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Ian BORTHWICK

Kenneth J N GUILD

Fiona M GRANT

Robin PRESSWOOD

Derek J SCOTT

David BOWES

Richard BEATTIE

John CORRIGAN

Mervyn J ROLFE

 

 

Councillor FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th June, 2001 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I SERVICE PLAN 2000/2001

 

There was submitted Report No. 485-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development advising the Committee of the Department's performance against the indicators identified in its Service Plan 1999-2002.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report and the progress achieved.

 

II SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP 1 AND 2 (GEOGRAPHIC) SMALL GRANTS FUND 2001/2002

 

The Committee noted that the Director of Neighbourhood Resources, in conjunction with the Convener of the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Committee and spokespersons from the Major and Minor Opposition Groups, had approved grant applications as listed to enable urgent works to be progressed (Report No 830-2001).

 

III SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIPS - ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES 2001/2002

 

There was submitted Report No. 487-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development bringing forward proposals for the further allocation of Social Inclusion Partnership revenue and capital funding 2001/2002. The report also provided details of an award of funding to Social Inclusion Partnerships 1 and 2 through the Scottish Executive's "Empowering Communities" initiative.

 

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

 

(a) to note the adjusted revenue expenditure for individual projects previously committed as detailed in Appendix A. Adjustments have been made in the report to allow for pay awards and staff increments.

 

(b) to agree the award of Social Inclusion Partnership 1 capital funding as detailed in Appendix B.

 

(c) to agree the award of Social Inclusion Partnership 2 revenue funding as set out in Appendix C.

 

(d) to note and accept the Scottish Executive's awards to Social Inclusion Partnerships 1 and 2 through the "Empowering Communities" initiative and give delegated authority to the Dundee Partnership Community Regeneration Group to administer these funding allocations for 2001/2002 as detailed in section 7 of the report.

 

IV IMPLEMENTATION OF DUNDEE'S COMMUNITY LEARNING STRATEGY

 

There was submitted Report No. 486-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development providing the Committee with a progress report on the implementation of the Strategy which was approved on 17th April, 2000.

 

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

 

(a) to note and approve the progress made in the implementation of the Community Learning Strategy for Dundee City and the development of Community Learning Plans.

 

(b) to welcome the allocation of additional resources to enable the City Council and its partners to address adult literacy needs.

 

(c) to note the production of the first geographic Community Learning Plans for the areas of Ardler/Kirkton/Mid Craigie - Linlathen and Hilltown (copies of which have been given to local members, Convener and Depute Convener).

 

(d) to instruct the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development to bring forward a further report in twelve months time on progress with the implementation of the Strategy.

 

V 15 SHORE TERRACE

 

There was submitted Report No. 488-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources advising the Committee on the outcome of bids for the future use of 15 Shore Terrace, Dundee.

 

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

 

(a) that the Council notes the proposals submitted by the Xplore Partnership (see paragraph 7.1 of the report) to establish a city centre youth facility within the premises of 15 Shore Terrace.

 

(b) that, given the tight timescale for completing the internal refurbishment, the City Architectural Services Officer be given approval to negotiate a contract not exceeding 230,000 under a partnering arrangement with an appropriate contractor.

 

(c) that, to facilitate this process, a client group comprising representatives from the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department, the Xplore Partnership and the Economic Development Department be established.

 

VI ALTERATIONS TO CENTRAL LIBRARY OPENING HOURS

 

The recent Best Value Review of the Central Library highlighted the need to make adjustments to the current opening hours in order to streamline opening times across departments, ensure maximum access to the new learning centre and allow a review of staff timetables to provide best possible coverage of public departments.

 

It was proposed that the following recommendations from the Best Value Review be implemented:-

 

?         retain existing pattern of opening all departments at 9.30 a.m. with a 10 a.m. start on Wednesdays to allow for staff training/meetings.

 

?         all departments to remain open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, providing customers with an opportunity to use the library in the evening.

 

?         retain existing Saturday opening times of 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

?         close all departments, except Commerce and Technology, at 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays.

 

?         keep the Technology and Commerce Department which is to be the main location for the learning centre facilities, open until 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

 

New timetables had been put forward to staff and unions which had been accepted.

 

It was proposed that the new opening hours be implemented from Monday, 8th October, 2001.

 

The foregoing amendments would result in the reduction of 1.5 FTE library and information assistant posts within Central Library as approved by the Best Value Sub-Committee on 26th April, 2001. The savings of 16,300 had been incorporated into the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department 2001/02 budget.

 

The Committee approved the proposals as detailed.

 

VII SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT 1 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. 491-2001 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 8,200 to the Dundee International Women's Centre.

 

VIII NON RECURRING REVENUE GRANTS FUND III 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. 489-2001 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:-

 

The Inclusion Group

1,525

Barnhill Community Group

2,000

Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association

1,000

University of Dundee Continuing Education

1,543

 

IX ADULT EDUCATION SUPPORT FUND 1 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. 492-2001 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 450 to the Khawateen - Dundee Asian Women's Group.

 

X TENDERS RECEIVED

 

There was submitted Report No. 466-2001 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

 

Further to the Ardler Neighbourhood Centre - New Sports Hall Floor Covering Project, the Committee approved acceptance of the tender submitted by John Swan Flooring Specialist, Dundee in the sum of 19,009.45, together with allowances of 3,205, giving a total sum of 22,214.45.

 

 

 

CHARLES D P FARQUHAR, Convener.