Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 21/10/2002

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st October 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th September 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I COMMUNITY COUNCILS - ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN245-2002 advising that at its meeting on 13th May 2002, the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Committee approved payment of administrative grants for the financial year April 2002 to March 2003 to Community Councils in existence or established during the year (Article No. 1 refers).

Administration grants for the period 1st April to 31st October 2002 had already been paid to Broughty Ferry, Fintry and the West End Community Councils and the Association of Dundee Community Councils using the formula approved on 13th May 2002.

The amended timetable for the introduction of the revised Scheme for the Operation of Community Councils meant that the election of Community Councillors had been deferred to the middle of February 2003. The first meetings of the new Community Councils were likely to take place week beginning 3rd March 2003.

The Committee agreed that the balance of the administration grants due to existing Community Councils for the period 1st November 2002 to 31st March 2003 be paid from the beginning of November as follows:-

In addition, the Committee approved a special project grant for the Association of Dundee Community Councils for publicity materials - 500.

II DISCOVERY CREDIT UNION PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 733-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development providing an update on the progress made to date with the development of the Discovery Credit Union Project previously referred to as the Dundee City-Wide Credit Union. The Report also made recommendations on the way in which the Council should continue to support the Discovery Credit Union Project within the current level of resources over the next three years.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) to make city-centre accommodation available to the Discovery Credit Union Project within NRDD premises at the Central Library in the Wellgate and if need be in Room 23 at Mitchell Street Centre. The rental fee for the accommodation to be fixed at 2,000 per annum inclusive of rates, heating and lighting. The Discovery Credit Union Project would be given the option of terminating the Lease at one month's notice should more suitable accommodation become available;

(b) to agree to the phased opening of local collection points according to the specification detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report;

(c) to continue to grant-aid the Discovery Credit Union Project through its third party payment budget for the next three years at 4,500 per annum;

(d) to support the Discovery Credit Union's strategy for securing external funding;

(e) to make payroll deduction facilities available for Dundee City Council staff wishing to join the Discovery Credit Union.

III SOCIAL INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP - ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 734-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development making recommendations for the further allocation of Social Inclusion Partnership funding1 for the financial year 2002/2003 and recommending a number of grants from the SIP   1 and 2 Small Grants Fund.

The Committee noted the Partnership's recommendation to transfer Social Inclusion Partnership 1 funding to the SIP 1 Small Grant Fund as detailed in Section 6 of the Report and approved the small grants detailed in Appendices B and C of the Report.

IV DISABLED ACCESS 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 717-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking authority for the City Architectural Services Officer to obtain offers and tenders to continue the improvement of disabled access to the various departmental properties including Ardler Complex, Broughty Ferry Neighbourhood Library, Finmill Neighbourhood Centre, Hub Neighbourhood Centre and Library, Menzieshill Community Centre and Library and Coldside Neighbourhood Library as per the details provided in Appendix 1 of the Report up to a total cost of 80,000 and for the Director of Support Services, in conjunction with the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development, to accept the offers and tenders recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer.

The Committee agreed that the Director of Support Services, in conjunction with the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development, be authorised to accept the offers and tenders as recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer.

V PLANNED MAINTENANCE 2002/2003: PHASE 2

There was submitted Report No 746-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking approval for the City Architectural Services Officer to obtain offers, tenders or negotiate partnerships and for the Director of Support Services in conjunction with the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development to accept these offers/tenders/partnership agreements for Planned Maintenance Work up to a total cost of 50,000 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) that the City Architectural Services Officer be authorised to obtain offers/tenders or partnership agreements for the Planned Maintenance Work;

(b) that the Director of Support Services in conjunction with the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development be authorised to accept the offers/tenders, partnership agreements as recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer for works to be undertaken by Dundee Contract Services and other contractors.

VI DISBURSEMENT OF BOOST FUND

There was submitted Report No 724-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development informing the Committee of the allocations awarded from the Boost Fund.

The Committee noted the allocations awarded to the following Applicant Groups:-

Parents Together 1,300

Speak Easy 1,800

Dundee Celebrate Age Network 790

Total 3,890

Details of the awards were contained in Appendix A to the Report.

VII NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FUND 111 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 716-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development making a recommendation for a grant award from the National Organisations Fund. The grant award would be met from the Department's Revenue Budget 2002/2003.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 1,543 to the University of Dundee - Department of Continuing Education.

VIII VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TRAINING GRANTS FUND 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 739-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development making recommendations for grant awards from the Voluntary Organisations Training Grants Fund. The grant awards would be met from the Department's Revenue Budget 2002/2003.

The Committee approved payment of the following recommended grants:-

Youth-Link (City-wide) 311

Fair Play Training (City-wide) 1,000

Girls Brigade (City-wide) 100

Youth Scotland/Dundee Association of Youth Clubs (City-wide) 360

IX NON-RECURRING REVENUE GRANTS FUND IV 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 706-2002 enclosed 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 400 to the Dundee 50+ informing and Sharing Group.

X EQUALITY ACTION FUND 1 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 707-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development making a recommendation for a grant award from the Equality Action Fund. The grant award would be met from the Department's Revenue Budget 2002/2003.

The Committee approved payment of the recommended grant of 5,000 to the Community Arts Project (Project to cover Menzieshill, Charleston, Kirkton, Ardler and Hilltown).

HELEN WRIGHT, Convener.