Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 16/04/2007

At a MEETING of the COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th April, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Christopher HIND, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th March, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE ADVICE NOTE ON ENGAGING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY PLANNING

There was submitted Report No 217-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities informing the Committee about the Scottish Executive's advice note on engaging Children and Young People in Community Planning published in November 2006, and advising the Committee over current work in Dundee to engage children and young people in community planning.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) acknowledge the Scottish Executive's Advice Note and the work that was currently taking place in Dundee to engage children and young people in Community Planning; and

(ii) support the proposed work with the Voluntary Sector and Partnership groups.

II "NOT JUST THE FUTURE" - MANIFESTO FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 216-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities bringing to the attention of Committee the manifesto for young people in Dundee entitled "Not Just The Future" produced by the Dundee Youth Voice Group.

The Committee agreed to note:-

(i) the Manifesto and congratulate Dundee Youth Voice for their achievement; and

(ii) the Dundee Youth Voice Group's plans to further develop opportunities for young people to be represented at local and national levels.

III GRANT AWARDS UP TO £500 (2006-2007)

There was submitted Report No 223-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities detailing awards up to the value of 500 that were made during the financial year 2006-2007.

The Committee noted the payments detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.

IV ACCESS TO UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY LIBRARY FOR HOLDERS OF DISCOVERY CARDS OR NATIONAL ENTITLEMENT CARDS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN113-2007 whereby the Committee was asked to note that holders of Young Scot, DISCOVERY or National Entitlement Cards had been offered free membership of the University of Abertay Library.

This benefit to citizens of Dundee followed the successful partnership between Dundee City Council and UAD which, in September 2005 due to SMARTCARDS technology, introduced seamless access for students and staff of UAD to the Council's library services.

The Committee noted accordingly.

V NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FUND 1 (2007-2008)

There was submitted Report No 222-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities making recommendations for grant awards from the National Organisations Fund.

The Committee approved the level of grant funding detailed below.

In addition, it was noted that the Department would continue to make available office accommodation inclusive of heating and lighting and would also continue to provide professional support to Linking Education and Disability (LEAD) Scotland.

VI PUBLIC LIBRARY QUALITY IMPROVEMENT MATRIX FOR SCOTLAND

There was submitted Report No 239-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities informing the Committee of the Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix for Scotland.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the publication by the Scottish Executive of the "Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix for Scotland - Building on Success"; and

(ii) acknowledge the profile achieved by Dundee City Council's library staff in the drafting of the document and in piloting its use.

Christopher HIND, Convener.