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:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

George REGAN

Willie SAWERS

Derek J SCOTT

Helen WRIGHT

Roderick A J WALLACE

Ian BORTHWICK

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Kevin KEENAN

Joe MORROW

Will DAWSON

Mohammed ASIF

Fraser MACPHERSON

Bob DUNCAN

Laurie BIDWELL

Ken GUILD

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Tom FERGUSON

Jimmy BLACK

Stewart HUNTER

Brian GORDON

David BOWES

Ken LYNN

Richard McCREADY

Andrew DAWSON

Donald HAY

 

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

 

 

 

FACILITY

Mon

24 Dec

Tues

25 Dec

Wed

26 Dec

Thu

27 Dec

Fri

28 Dec

Sat

29 Dec

Sun

30 Dec

Mon

31 Dec

Tue

1 Jan

Wed

2 Jan

Thu

3 Jan

Fri

4 Jan

End of Business times below are last admission times.

* See note below regarding library closing times on Monday, 31st December.

Olympia

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

10am-5.30pm

10am-5.30pm

10am-5.30pm

10am-5.30pm

10am-5.30pm

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Lochee

S/L Centre

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Sports

Centres

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

10am-4pm

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Leisure/

ComAdm Offices

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

closed as normal

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Caird Park Stadium

 

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

Golf

Courses

 

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

Wildlife

Centre

 

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

Box

Office

 

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

closed as normal

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

McManus

Galleries

 

Closed for refurbishment.

 

Broughty

Castle

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Mills

Observatory

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Community Centres

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

closed as normal

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Central

Library

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

closed as normal

5pm close *

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Community Libraries

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

closed as normal

5pm close *

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal

opening

Ancrum

Centre

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

9am-5pm

9am-5pm

closed as normal

closed as normal

9am-5pm

CLOSED

CLOSED

9am-5pm

9am-5pm

The

Shore

 

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

office open

9am-5pm

office open

9am-5pm

CLOSED

closed as normal

office open

9am-5pm

CLOSED

CLOSED

office open

9am-5pm

office open

9am-5pm

The

Corner

 

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

normal opening

CLOSED

CLOSED

normal

opening

normal opening

Community

Safety Wardens

 

Community Safety Wardens will be operational over this period and can be contacted on the

normal telephone number (01382) 436333.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 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.