Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 18/11/2002

At a MEETING of the LEISURE AND ARTS SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th November 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st October 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I OLYMPIA ANNUAL MAINTENANCE CLOSURE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN287-2002 informing the Committee of the Olympia annual equipment survey and essential maintenance programme to be carried out and requesting approval for Olympia to close from Monday, 2nd December to Sunday, 15th December 2002 inclusive.

The Committee approved the closure dates.

II CAIRD HALL DEVELOPMENT - ASBESTOS REMOVAL/DUCT CLEANING

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Recess Sub-Committee of 5th August, 2002 which gave notice of the first phase of removal of material containing asbestos.

There was submitted Agenda Note 288-2002 informing the Committee of the second phase of work which would be carried out by the same contractors, Jaydee Heating and Electrical Ltd with Trojan Limited as a specialist sub-contractor, in January 2003 during a period when the Caird Hall was not being used.

The second phase of the works involving duct cleaning would cost 10,300 inclusive of an allowance for professional fees.

The Committee approved the above works.

III RIVERSIDE PARK AND CAIRD PARK - APPLICATION TO HOLD CARNIVALS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN289-2002 informing the Committee that a request had been received from Hornes Pleasure Fairs, Dunfermline for permission to operate a carnival from 4th April to 4th May 2003 and 29th September to 12th October 2003 inclusive at Riverside Park and also from 7th to 18th May 2003 and 15th to 28th September 2003 inclusive at Caird Park.

It was recommended that permission be granted and that it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to negotiate a licence fee subject to the Council's normal conditions of let, which included the closing down of the carnival operations each evening by 9.30 pm.

The Committee approved the above requests.

IV LOAN REQUEST - JOHN DUNCAN PAINTINGS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN290-2002 informing the Committee that the McManus Galleries would be lending two paintings by the celebrated Dundee artist, John Duncan, to the Cultural Centre based at the ancient Daoulas Abbey in Brittany, France, whose excellent security and air-conditioning systems made it unique in the whole of western France for the presentation of artworks. The works would be crated for transport which would be carried out by a leading firm, Oxford Exhibition Services. All associated costs would be borne by the borrower.

The Committee noted accordingly.

V TRANSFER OF LAND AT ARDLER

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 15th January 2001.

There was submitted Agenda Note 291-2002 informing the Committee that, following the Ardler Stock Transfer on 3rd December 2001, the open ground highlighted on the plan on display would be transferred from the Housing Revenue Account to Dundee Contract Services, Parks Section, as Public Open Space subject to consent of Scottish Ministers. Booking of football pitches would continue to be administered through Leisure and Arts Services and the transfer would be at nil value.

The Committee noted accordingly.

VI CITY PARKS IMPROVEMENTS

There was submitted Report No. 754-2002 by the Director of Leisure and Arts seeking approval for Dundee Contract Services to undertake improvements to Lochee Park including the parks entrance, signage and seating areas.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Dundee Contract Services for improvement works to Lochee Park amounting to 35,702.40 to which required to be added allowances of 1,700 for contingencies and 4,000 for professional fees.

VII CONSULTATION - SCOTLAND'S MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES - AN ACTION PLAN

There was submitted Report No. 815-2002 by the Director of Leisure and Arts requesting the Committee to agree a response to the consultation exercise to assist the development of an Action Plan for Scotland's Museums and Galleries as requested by the Scottish Executive.

The Committee agreed the response to the consultation exercise and remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts to respond to the consultation document on that basis.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No. 803-2002 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted Contracts:-

(i) BAXTER PARK - PERIMETER WALLS AND RAILINGS

The Committee agreed to accept the offer received from W & J R Watson Limited, West Calder, for restoration work to perimeter walls and provision of new railings and gates amounting to 869,211.26, together with allowances of 2,466 for Building Warrant and 61,017 for Professional Services, giving a total expenditure of 932,694.26.

The Committee also noted that W & J R Watson Limited had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

Ballantine Boness Iron Company Limited, Boness Railings and gates

Scott and Simpson (Painters) Limited, Markinch Painter.

(ii) ORCHAR PARK BOWLING PAVILION - UPGRADING

The Committee agreed to accept the offer received from Dundee Contract Services for the upgrading of Orchar Park Bowling Pavilion under the schedule of rates for 7,350.00, together with allowances of 1,270.00 for Professional Services giving a total expenditure of 8,800.00.

(iii) OLYMPIA LEISURE CENTRE - WATERSLIDE REQUIREMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer from Van Egdom, Holland, for waterslide refurbishment at the Olympia Leisure Centre amounting to 17,000.00, together with allowances of 2,865.00 for Professional Services , giving a total expenditure of 19,865.00.

IX PATHS FOR ALL 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No. 816-2002 by the Director of Leisure and Arts requesting Committee approval for expenditure on part of Dundee's Paths for All Initiative.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) the production of a Health Walks Independent Walking Leaflet for the Ardler Area at a cost of 2,565;

(ii) the production of a quarterly newsletter to communicate with community groups throughout Dundee involved in Paths for All Projects at a cost of 891; and

(iii) the installation of pathway signage across the city to improve links to the existing network of paths within the city at a cost of 3,088.

X CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CLOSURE IN LEISURE AND ARTS FACILITIES

There was submitted Report No. 841-2002 by the Director of Leisure and Arts requesting Committee approval of the festive season closing times within Leisure and Arts facilities.

The Committee agreed to the opening times as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

XI PATHS FOR ALL INITIATIVE - CAIRD PARK CYCLEWAY

There was submitted Report No. 796-2002 by the Director of Leisure and Arts and City Engineer requesting Committee approval of proposals for a cycleway on the eastern boundary of Caird Park and to accept an offer for its construction.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the details of the scheme;

(ii) accept the offer from Tayside Contracts under their contract arrangements with BEAR Scotland Limited of 32,500; and

(iii) approve the overall expenditure of 37,000.

XII DISC - IRRIGATION WATER STORAGE FOR OUTDOOR HOCKEY PITCH

There was submitted Agenda Note AN299-2002 advising the Committee that water from the existing irrigation system used to facilitate the wet outdoor hockey pitch at DISC had become contaminated. Monthly routine microbiological check had identified local contamination in the fresh-water supply system which had also resulted in contamination to the pitch. The water supply problem was due to cross-contamination from the abandoned site re-cycling system into the irrigation header tank fed directly from the mains. The easiest and best long-term solution involved installation of a completely separate above-ground header tank.

A quote had been received from a specialist supplier; Filpumps, Aberdeenshire for the supply and installation of the above ground storage tank and feeder system for 8,037.43.

The Committee agreed to accept the quote together with professional fees of 2,000 and contingencies for associated works of 3,000, making a total cost of 13,037.43.

CHARLES D P FARQUHAR, Convener.