Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 20/02/2006

At a MEETING of the LEISURE AND ARTS SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th February, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th January, 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I BALGAY HILL - APPLICATION FOR USE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN51-2006 advising the Committee that a request had 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, 16th April, 2006 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.

II DUNDEE GYMNASTICS AND TRAMPOLINING STRATEGY 2006-2010

There was submitted Report No 123-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities informing the Committee of the partnership work to be undertaken to develop and promote Gymnastics and Trampolining within Dundee, and seeking Committee approval for the Gymnastics and Trampolining Strategy document and the principles contained therein, which were designed to develop the sport and provide sporting opportunities at all levels within all Gymnastics disciplines for citizens of Dundee.

The Committee approved the Gymnastics and Trampolining Strategy and agreed to support the principles contained therein and remitted to the Council staff involved in the development of the strategy to continue to work with the existing partners and to develop additional partnership working to implement the action plan.

III CONTINUATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SERVICES WITHIN EARLY YEARS CHILDCARE SERVICES

There was submitted Joint Report No 96-2006 by the Director of Education and the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval to continue the successful collaboration between the Early Years and Childcare Partnership Team and the Leisure and Communities Department Sports Development Section to provide a range of physical activity services to children aged under 5 and their families and to children and young people accessing Out of School Childcare.

The Committee approved the report and agreed to the continuation of the Sure Start Physical Activity Programme provided by two full time officers, the support programme for young children with additional support needs with an additional day of provision per week, (which were key to the delivery of the Physical Activity Strategy for Children from Birth to Five) and to the continuation of the Out of School Care Physical Activity Programme provided by one full time officer.

IV EXTENSION OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR FAMILY ATTRACTION AREA, CAMPERDOWN COUNTRY PARK

There was submitted Agenda Note AN52-2006 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th September 2003 wherein approval was given for the continued provision of Hornes Family Attraction Park in Camperdown Country Park Play Complex for three years.

It was reported that this lease had now come to an end and the Committee approved a one year extension.

V GRANT SCHEMES AND PAYMENT TO THIRD PARTIES - SMALL PROJECTS

There was submitted Report No 125-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities informing the Committee of Small Projects Grants awarded during the period April 2005 to March 2006 to groups and individuals.

The Committee noted the payment of 350.00 for the grants detailed in the Appendix to the report shown below.

VI CAMPERDOWN PARK - THE BIG WEEKEND

There was submitted Agenda Note AN53-2006 advising the Committee that the Council and the City of Discovery Campaign have been approached by the BBC to host Radio 1's "Big Weekend" on 13th/14th May 2006. Having evaluated a number of potential venues in the city the BBC had selected Camperdown Park as being the most appropriate venue.

The city was selected from a number of other cities in Britain and it would be the first time that the "Big Weekend" had been held in Scotland. Last year the event was held in Sunderland.

In a briefing from representatives of the BBC it was outlined that Radio 1 would be present in the city for the week leading up to the event and the city would benefit from a high profile from Radio 1 broadcasting during the week and weekend.

The main event itself would be held over two days in marquees and there would be an attendance of 15,000 per day. In addition, the broadcaster would tie up with a number of organisations during the week leading up to the event in the city over the week.

Initial discussions had been undertaken between the Police and Council representation from Emergency Planning, Health and Safety and Environmental Health.

The event would be high profile, supported by the City of Discovery Campaign, and would provide a platform for positive promotion of the city.

It was recommended that permission be granted for the use of Camperdown Park for this event noting that final permission would depend on the BBC satisfying all the Council's usual conditions relating to insurance, health and safety, environmental health and emergency planning arrangements.

It was further recommended that it be remitted to the appropriate officers to enter into a lease with the BBC on conditions to be agreed between the two parties.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VII MILLS OBSERVATORY - PRE-REFURBISHMENT SURVEY AND REPORT ON THE 10" COOKE TELESCOPE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN54-2006 advising the Committee that the Mills Observatory housed an historic 10" Cooke telescope of 1871 - its main instrument for public viewing.

The telescope was installed in the Mills Observatory in 1952 where it has performed sterling duty for over half a century.

In recent years the drive and clamping mechanism of the telescope have been showing signs of wear and refurbishment was overdue.

Only routine maintenance, such as cleaning and oiling, had taken place with the telescope since that time and it was now at a stage where it needed to be assessed by an appropriate expert.

As a first step the Director of Leisure and Communities recommended that Heritage Engineering of Glasgow be invited to survey the mechanism of the telescope and report on a recommended programme of refurbishment to bring it back into pristine condition. Heritage Engineering of Glasgow had indicated that it would require in the region of 1,500 to carry out this survey and write the report.

The cost would be met from a grant of 500 from the Cormack Committee of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The balance (1,000) would be met from visitor donations income at the Observatory.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VIII HIRD BRIDGE, BALGAY PARK

There was submitted Agenda Note AN55-2006 advising that the Council had been awarded grants by both Historic Scotland (150.000) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (50.000) together with a 50,000 contribution from the Leisure and Communities Quality of Life Fund to restore the cast iron Hird Bridge in Balgay Park.

The Committee approved the appointment of the City Engineer to develop the design of the restoration work and seek tenders and noted the restoration works would be carried out in the financial year 2005/2006 and 240,000 in 2006/07 with 10,000 in 2005/06 being funded from the Department's Quality of Life allocation and tenders reported to a future Committee.

IX BROUGHTY FERRY BEACH - EUROPEAN BATHING WATER DIRECTIVE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN56-2006 advising that following the recent review of bathing water designations, the Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development had accepted the recommendation of the Bathing Water Review Panel that Broughty Ferry be designated as a European Bathing Water Beach. It was the intention to engage the statutory process to enable Blue Flag status to be secured in the coming months.

The Committee noted accordingly.

X CAMPERDOWN COUNTRY PARK NORTH ENTRANCE SIGNAGE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN57-2006 advising that as part of a continuing programme to improve signage and interpretation throughout Camperdown Country Park, the Leisure and Communities Department sought approval for the erection of a sign at the North Entrance of the park. The sign would complement car park and access works proposed in this part of Camperdown at a cost of 8,000.

It was recommended Keillor Graphics, a specialist graphic design and sign company, undertake the work. Keillor Graphics had been responsible for the development, design and production of signage throughout the park including the erection of the main entrance sign at Camperdown and in order to retain continuity, obtain best value and promote a unified image to the park it was recommended that Keillor Graphics be used for this latest phase of works.

The Committee agreed to accept the quote of 8,000 from Keillor Graphics which would cover the manufacture, supply and fittings of the sign.

XI TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) There was submitted Report No 73-2006 by the City Engineer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

Camperdown Park North Entrance - Car Park and Flower Show Access Road

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Dundee Plant Co Ltd amounting to 33,955.45 together with allowances of 1,544.55 for contingencies, 6,000 for professional fees and 500 for Planning Supervisor making a total expenditure of 42,000.00.

(b) There was submitted Report No 138-2005 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

Western Cemetery - Renovation of the Central Arch Stonework

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Hunter and Clark Ltd, Glasgow amounting to 38,949.32 together with an allowance of 6,567.00 for professional services making a total expenditure of 45,516.32.

XII DUNDEE REPERTORY THEATRE MAIN HOUSE - REVENUE SUPPORT 2006/07

The Lord Provost and Councillors Webster, Duncan and Hind declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments.

There was submitted Report No 117-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities requesting renewal of revenue funding to Dundee Repertory Theatre Main House, 2006-2007.

The Committee approved the level of grant funding amounting to 346,275 as set out in the report.

XIII DUNDEE REPERTORY THEATRE, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY TEAM - REVENUE SUPPORT 2006/07

The Lord Provost and Councillors Webster, Duncan and Hind declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments.

There was submitted Report No 119-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities requesting renewal of revenue funding to Dundee Repertory Theatre Education and Community Team, 2006-2007.

The Committee approved the level of grant funding amounting to 19,478 as set out in the report.

XIV SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE - REVENUE SUPPORT 2006/07

The Lord Provost and Councillors Webster, Duncan and Hind declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments.

There was submitted Report No 118-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities requesting renewal of revenue funding to Scottish Dance Theatre, 2006-2007.

The Committee approved the level of grant funding amounting to 22,759, as set out in the report.

XV SENSATION (DUNDEE SCIENCE CENTRE) - REVENUE SUPPORT 2006/07

Councillors Webster and Hind declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments.

There was submitted Report No 120-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities requesting renewal of revenue funding to Sensation (Dundee Science Centre) for the year 2006-2007.

The Committee approved the level of grant funding amounting to 29,060.

XVI DUNDEE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE - REVENUE SUPPORT 2006/07

There was submitted Report No 121-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities requesting renewal of revenue grant funding to Dundee Industrial Heritage Limited, for the year 2006-2007, and an additional payment drawn from the Council's Quality of Life Fund submission to the Scottish Executive.

The Committee approved the level of revenue grant funding amounting to 29,060 for the year 2006-2007 and further approved a payment of 33,000 drawn from the Council's Quality of Life Fund submission to the Scottish Executive, as approved in Policy and Resources Committee Report No 596-2005, 14th November, 2005.

XVII DUNDEE CONTEMPORARY ARTS LIMITED - REVENUE SUPPORT 2006/07

Councillors Webster, Will Dawson, Grant and Hind declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments.

There was submitted Report No 122-2006 by the Director of Leisure and Communities requesting renewal of revenue funding to Dundee Contemporary Arts Limited for the year 2006-2007.

The Committee approved the level of grant funding amounting to 260,390 as set out in the Report.

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

XVIII CAIRD HALL CATERING FRANCHISE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN58-2006, advising that the Director of Economic Development proposed to renew the existing Franchise Agreement at an increased rental.

The Committee approved the proposals and noted that the Director of Economic Development would instruct the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to conclude the necessary legal formalities.

CHARLES FARQUHAR, Convener.