Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 16/02/2004

At a MEETING of the LEISURE AND ARTS SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th February, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th January, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE CITY SQUARE FLORAL DISPLAYS

The Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Report No 130-2004 outlining the proposed improvements to the City Centre landscaping including floral elements and outline options for cost effective solutions to the management and funding and in addition seeking approval for a number of associated initiatives to be progressed.

The Committee:-

(a)agreed that improvements to the floral displays in City Square be implemented to coincide with the planting out of the summer bedding in 2004;

(b)noted that as part of an early action plan the purchase of new tree containers had already been approved and agreed to accept a quotation of 1,059 for replacement trees from Belwood Trees Limited, Meigle and an offer from Dundee Contract Services of 2,475.03 for the setting out of the containers and planting of the trees;

(c)remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts to explore further enhancement of the other areas of the City Centre including High Street, Reform Street and Murraygate with the Director of Planning and Transportation, the Director of Economic Development and external agencies in developing further sustainable proposals;

(d)remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts together with the Director of Economic Development to develop a sponsorship scheme with the business community in and around the City Centre which financially supported the purchase of hanging baskets and the bedding materials etc. to be developed, promoted and co-ordinated with recommendation (b) above.

II DUNDEE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY EXHIBITION 2004

The Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Report No 131-2004 advising the Committee of the forthcoming exhibition "Snapped" Dundee People and Places - as seen by the Dundee Photographic Society from 1880 to the Present Day" and its supporting programme.

The Committee noted the report.

III WARD ROAD GYM

Councillor McPherson declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his membership of the above Gym. The Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Report No 133-2004 recommending proposals for the upgrading of Ward Road Gym and the leasing of the building to the Ward Road Gym Trust.

The Committee -

(a)agreed to the proposals outlined in the report for the refurbishment and upgrading of Ward Road Gym;

(b)remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts to seek tenders for improvement works at an estimated cost of 200,000; and

(c)remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) and the Directors of Leisure and Arts and Economic Development to conclude an appropriate 25 year lease with Ward Road Gym Sports Development Company for the premises at a nominal annual rental of 100 excluding VAT noting that Scottish Ministers' Consent to this proposal would be required in terms of Section 74 (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

IV BAXTER PARK RESTORATION PLAN TENDER FOR PATH REALIGNMENTS, SEATING AND BINS PHASE2

On a reference to Article II of the Leisure Services Committee of 21st January, 2002, the Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Report No 134-2004 giving details of offers received to carry out the above works of Phase II of the Baxter Park Restoration Plan.

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by T & N Gilmartin (Contractors) Limited which had been revised to 24,950.87 to carry out the above works.

VBALGAY HILL APPLICATION FOR USE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN69-2004 advising that a request has been received from Balgay Parish Church for permission to use the area of ground outside the Mills Observatory for a Morning Service on Easter Sunday, 11th April, 2004 from 8.00 am to 8.30 am.

The Committee agreed that permission be granted for the use of the area subject to the necessary insurances indemnifying the Council against damage to property, injury or loss of life etc to members of the public and, in addition, any services being provided by the Department being paid for by the applicant.

VI PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL MACHINERY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN70-2004 advising that quotations had been obtained for the undernoted machinery:-

2 of John Deere Turf Gator

2 of Kuhn 601VSA Fertiliser/Salt & Sand Spreader

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Double A Trading Company, Cupar, the specialist supplier for the area, amounting to 12,540 for the John Deere Turf Gator machines and the lowest offer of 2,790 from Netherton Tractors, Forfar for the Kuhn Salt & Sand Spreaders.

VII RIVERSIDE PARK AND CAIRD PARK APPLICATION TO HOLD CARNIVALS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN71-2004 advising that a request had been received from Hornes Pleasure Fairs, Dunfermline for permission to operate a carnival from 20th April to 2nd May, 2004 and 27th September to 10th October, 2004 inclusive at Riverside Park and also from 3rd to 16th May, 2004 and 13th to 26th September, 2004 inclusive at Caird Park.

The Committee agreed that permission be granted and 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.

VIII TAYSIDE BIODIVERSITY CO-ORDINATOR

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th October, 2003 where approval to the expenditure was given as Dundee City Council's contribution to the post of the Tayside Biodiversity Co-ordinator until 31st March, 2004. There was submitted Agenda Note AN72-2004 requesting that the Committee approve the expenditure of 6,750 in 2004/05, 8,350 in 2005/06 and 8,700 in 2006/07 as the Council's continuing contribution to the post of the Co-ordinator.

The Committee approved accordingly.

IX GREEN CIRCULAR IMPROVEMENTS

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee of 2nd December, 2002 when approval was given for a programme of works for Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets projects. There was submitted Agenda Note AN73-2004.

With reference to Article II(a) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th October 2003 the Committee noted that the Director of Leisure and Arts had remitted to the City Engineer to bring forward proposals to improve the public footpath/cycleway from Wyvis Road to the Seven Arches Viaduct and, in order to maximise the spend within the current financial year, agreed to extend the current contract with Tayside Contracts for works at Camperdown Park to include additional work amounting to 18,694 including professional fees and contingencies.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

X SYCAMORE VILLA PROPOSED DISPOSAL

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of the Leisure Services Committee of 20th September, 1999. There was submitted Agenda Note AN74-2004 advising that an application had been received from the current tenants to purchase the above Villa in Camperdown Park under the right to buy.

The Committee agreed to the request and remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to deal with the disposal application.

XI FUTURE CEMETERY PROVISION

The Director of Leisure and Arts and the Director of Planning and Transportation submitted Joint Report No 78-2004 outlining proposals to ensure future cemetery provision within Dundee.

The Committee agreed to the recommendations in the report relating to the future strategy for cemetery provision as outlined and remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts, the Director of Economic Development and the City Engineer to carry out the appropriate investigations and bring back detailed proposals to a future Committee.

CHARLES FARQUHAR, Convener.