Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 12/11/2007

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 12th November, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd October, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

Prior to the commencement of business, the Convener congratulated the City of Glasgow on becoming the host city for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Congratulations were further extended to the Leader of Glasgow City Council, the First Minister, the former First Minister and all other persons involved. The Convener noted that it was anticipated that Dundee would play an active role in assisting with any training needs for this event.

I HMIE REVIEW REPORT - IMPROVING SCOTTISH EDUCATION: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SCOTLAND'S COMMUNITIES, SEPTEMBER2007

There was submitted Agenda Note AN268-2007 advising the Committee that the above mentioned report had been published as a website only document on 4th September, 2007 and covered a five year review of community learning and development in Scotland post the production of the last inspection framework "How Good is our Community Learning and Development" May 2002.

The report set out the context against which this activity had progressed over the period of statutory inspection and highlighted positive progress of varying degrees across Scotland in the evaluation/monitoring of community learning and development, self assessment, contributions to partnership working and to the broader community planning agenda.

The Committee's attention was also drawn to Section 2, the main findings and strengths and to the examples of good practice under Section 4 as follows:-

7                                             The Xplore Partnership provided highly valued support for young people who faced difficulties in their lives, using approaches which were person-centred and non-judgemental;

7                                             The Peer Education Project had recently been awarded the top Stop Bullying award from the Scottish Executive Education Department for its work in reducing school bullying;

7                                             Saved by the Bell promoted financial literacy and a savings scheme for pupils involving the Discovery Credit Unit as a learning source for schools; and

7                                             The Dundee City of Discovery Picture Book Award, a peer learning project involving primary pupils of different ages working together on evaluations of children's books, demonstrated a wide range of important learning gains.

Dundee City Council Leisure and Communities Department had been formally inspected on three occasions during this period and had maintained high quality assessment levels. Section 5 outlined the challenges ahead for this occupational service sector and the specifics of planning drivers which the Council as a corporate body were addressing through Departmental Service Plans and the Dundee Partnership.

The Committee noted this information accordingly.

II FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR DISCOVERY CREDIT UNION

Councillors Keenan and Morrow declared a financial interest in this item by virtue of their membership of Discovery Credit Union.

There was submitted Report No 553-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for a grant award from the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund to the Discovery Credit Union.

The Committee approved the award of an administration grant of 6,000 towards the running costs for Discovery Credit Union to enable the organisation to continue to provide savings and low-cost loan facilities.

III DUNDEE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S CENTRE GRANT

There was submitted Report No 554-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the payment of the annual grant award to the Dundee International Women's Centre.

The Committee approved the grant award of 8,189 to Dundee International Women's Centre.

IV FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO DUNDEE SIROLLI INITIATIVE

Councillor Black declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his position as Chair of Dundee Sirolli Initiative.

There was submitted Report No 555-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for a grant award from the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund as a contribution towards start up costs for the Sirolli Initiative in Dundee.

The Committee approved the award of a grant of 1,000 towards the start up costs for the establishment of the Sirolli Initiative in Dundee.

V ACQUISITION OF EXHIBITS FOR REFURBISHED McMANUS GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN269-2007 advising the Committee that the refurbished McManus Galleries and Museum would re-house existing exhibits in a collection of new, themed galleries, including one entitled "Landscapes and Lives" which would relate the origins and history of Dundee and its environment. To complement existing exhibits and further illustrate the theme of this gallery, it was proposed to acquire additional exhibits in the form of new taxidermy mounts of six species once indigenous to Scotland but now extinct in the area, ie one each of brown bear, lynx, European beaver, wolf, wild boar and lemming.

The Committee approved the acquisition of these new exhibits, having noted that all specimens would be sourced legally and ethically from a supplier in Finland where these species still exist. Specialist contractor, Duncan A Ferguson, is a taxidermist of international repute who recently prepared large mammal mounts as part of Glasgow Museums' Kelvingrove redisplay. Mr Ferguson had supplied a quotation for the contract of 12,825 including a contingency of 675, and it was agreed that this quotation be accepted.

The Committee further noted that, recognising the importance of these specimens, The National Museum of Scotland had approved a grant of 6,000 towards the total cost through the National Fund for Acquisitions. The remaining expenditure of 6,825 would be met from the Leisure and Communities Revenue Budget.

VI CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CLOSURE

The Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Wallace and Councillors Asif and Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointments to Dundee Leisure.

There was submitted Report No 577-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities informing the Committee of the festive season closing times within facilities funded by the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee.

The Committee noted the opening times as detailed in Appendix I to the report.

VII DOUGLAS SPORTS CENTRE SHOWERS/TOILETS

The Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Bailie Wallace and Councillors Asif and Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointments to Dundee Leisure.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN295-2007 advising that an offer of 27,823 had been received from Dundee Contract Services for the refurbishment of the female showers and male/female toilets at the above facility. This would include the supply and fitting of laminate panel cubicles, water resistant wall panels, sink vanity units, regrouting of all tiled areas and upgrading of lighting.

The Committee agreed that this offer be accepted, having noted that the total expenditure of 27,823 can be met from the allocation within the Leisure and Communities 2007/2008 Capital Budget.

Richard McCREADY, Convener.

APPENDIX I

* Experience has shown, on the day before festive public holidays, Central Library and Community Libraries are quiet. It was agreed that libraries scheduled to open beyond 5pm on Monday, 31st December, 2007 close at 5pm on that date.