Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 20/03/2006

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

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor HIND, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th February 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I APPLICATION TO HOLD CARNIVALS

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th January 2006 there was submitted Agenda Note AN105-2006 advising that a request had been received from Horne's Pleasure Fairs to revise the original dates for both Caird and Riverside Parks as undernoted:-

Riverside Park

Monday, 24th April 2006 to Monday, 8th May 2006

Monday, 25th September 2006 to Monday, 9th October 2006

Caird Park

Monday, 8th May 2006 to Monday, 22nd May 2006

Sunday, 10th September 2006 to Monday, 25th September 2006.

The Committee agreed to the change of dates and noted that all other conditions in respect of normal conditions of let and closing down of carnival operations each evening by 9.30 p.m. etc. remained as previously agreed.

II CAIRD PARK MASTERPLAN

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd August 2005 regarding the Caird Park Masterplan and continuing discussions with Caird Park Golf Club in respect of proposals to amalgamate the 9 and 18 hole Starters Box.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN106-2006 advising that following consultations with the above Club it had been agreed that it would be of benefit to retain the status quo in the interest of customer care and that it had been further proposed that a Friends of Caird Park Group be formed to include the key users and stakeholders in the park together with the golf club members to encourage local community involvement.

The Committee noted accordingly.

III CAMPERDOWN PARK - EASTER FUN DAY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN107-2006 advising that a request had been received from the Christian Assembly Hall Church, Lochee to stage a Puppet Show, Face Painting, Art Activities and Bible Message at the Easter Fun Day on Sunday, 16th April 2006 at Camperdown Park.

The Committee granted permission subject to the Council's normal Public Liability Insurance and fee requirements.

IV DAWSON PARK ARTIFICIAL PITCH

There was submitted Agenda Note AN108-2006 advising that the Dawson Park Artificial Pitch would be available for bookings from 1st April 2006 and approval was requested for the undernoted charges and procedures in order to maximise the use of the pitch outwith the curriculum time with the core charge being in line with the outdoor pitches at DISC of 64 for standard and 47.50 for concession.

'                     During the School Holidays any programmes promoted through the Sports Development Section be charged at 50% of the concession charge. This includes various squads, sports camps for children etc which would be agreed and booked through the integrated Holiday Planning Group which is managed through the Sports Development Section.

'                     During the Summer School Holidays in particular where there is less of a demand it is proposed that all other slots are charged at 23.75. In particular these slots are designed to encourage football training so that the existing grass pitches are not used while they are recovering from summer rejuvenation. Further to this remit to the Director of Leisure and Communities to agree a programme with key stakeholders which will allow for a balance of hockey, football and other sports ensuring that there is a combination of public accessibility.

'                     In addition there will be the organisation of Participation Centres for Sports Development aimed at developing the potential and nurturing the talent of Dundee youth. This will be charged at 50% of the Concession charge during term time (these will be kept to a minimum).

'                     Remit to the Director of Leisure and Communities to encourage promotional priced activities which encourage increasing physical activity and improve community safety etc.

The Committee approved the above proposals.

V BAXTER PARK - YOUNG ROOTS, LOTTERY AWARD

There was submitted Agenda Note AN109-2006 advising that the S-Crew 5 Youth Group established in the summer of 2004 had been successful in obtaining a Young Roots Grant for 23,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the group of eight from the Baxter Park area had been meeting once a week in the Park Centre working with the Park's Urban Rangers and Youth Team and had undertaken "Natural Connections" Environment accreditation, held events to raise money for charity and worked on various art ventures.

The Committee noted the actions of the group and also that they had been nominated for the "Young Quality Scot Award".

VI THE MILLS OBSERVATORY - TELESCOPE

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th February 2006 there was submitted Agenda Note AN110-2006 giving background information on the status of the telescope and, in particular, the exchange of telescopes which had taken place between the University of St. Andrews and Dundee in 1951.

The Committee noted the information extracted from "The Mills Observatory - A Historical Survey" published by Thomas Flood in 1986.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) There was submitted Report No 169-2006 by the City Engineer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

Radial Cycle Routes No 1 - Ninewells/Lochee to West Port

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Land and Building Services Limited amounting to 105,482.87 together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 220,000.00.

(b) There was submitted Report No 199-2006 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

Lynch Sports Hall - John Lynch Hall Replacement Flooring

The Committee agreed to accept the lower offer by James A Cargill, Arbroath amounting to 53,474.50 together with an allowance of 9,016 for professional services making a total expenditure of 62,490.50.

The Committee also noted that James A Cargill had listed Playline Services Limited, Ayrshire as the sub-contractor for court markings.

VIII SWIMMING AND LEISURE FACILITIES - ESTABLISHING A LEISURE COMPANY WITH CHARITABLE STATUS

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee and Article III of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 16th January 2006, the Director of Leisure and Communities, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) and the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) submitted joint Report No 215-2006 informing the Committee of the outcome of the feasibility study undertaken by Dundee City Council into the possibility of establishing a Leisure Company to operate swimming and leisure facilities currently operated by the City Council.

The Convener advised the Committee that in relation to paragraph 7.1 of the report the Council had not yet obtained charitable status for the company with the Inland Revenue.

The Committee:-

a) Agreed to the formation of Dundee Leisure to initially manage and operate from 1st April 2006 Olympia Leisure Centre, Lochee Swimming & Leisure Centre, Dundee International Sports Centre, Lynch Sports Centre and Douglas Sports Centre and other services in the City such as community swimming programme and community sports provision in PPP Schools.

b) Agreed the nomination of seven Directors from Dundee City Council to the Board of Directors of Dundee Leisure being three members from the Administration and two members from the Opposition Parties plus two Officers from the Leisure and Communities and Finance Departments.

In addition to the Council Directors agreed two Directors from the Local Sports Council, two Directors from the Dundee City Disability Sport, two Directors from user groups (one each representing wet sports/dry sports) to be appointed annually at a general meeting, and one Director from the Chamber of Commerce be invited to go on the Board of the Company. Total number of initial Board members to be 15.

c) Agreed to nominate the Convener of Leisure and Arts Services Committee as a Board Member and as Chair of the Company as part of the representation from Dundee City Council.

d) Agreed to the City Council nominating the Leisure and Communities Department's head of Parks, Sports and Leisure as Managing Director and the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) as Finance Director of the new Leisure Company to assist in the good management of the company for the benefit of the public.

e) Noted a further Director to be nominated by the employees.

f) Notes that the five Leases to Dundee Leisure of the Buildings etc. from Dundee City Council will be reported to the Economic Development Committee for approval.

g) Agreed the Management Fee to be paid to Dundee Leisure by Dundee City Council on an annual basis (see Appendix 1)

h) Authorised the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) to provide, if required, short term loans up to a maximum value of 100,000 at an interest rate of 5% to assist the Company with any cash flow shortfall.

i) Agreed to the Management Agreement (see Appendix 2) between Dundee Leisure and Dundee City Council.

j) Agreed that Dundee Leisure can request support services to be provided by the City Council. Any such provision shall be the subject of an appropriate Service Level Agreement between the Department concerned and Dundee Leisure.

k) Agreed to transfer, on their existing terms and conditions of employment, the staff listed in Appendix 3 from the Leisure Centres Section of the Leisure & Communities Department to Dundee Leisure. Note than an agreement between Dundee City Council and the Trade Unions in respect of the transfer of the employees will be submitted to the Personnel Committee for approval.

l) Agreed to support Dundee Leisure being admitted to the Tayside Pension Fund as an admitted body.

m) Agreed that application for 100% non domestic rate relief to Dundee Leisure will be submitted to the Finance Committee for approval, once the Company is established.

Councillors Duncan and Wallace declared a non-financial interest by virtue of their Council appointments as Directors of Dundee Leisure.

CHRIS HIND, Convener.