Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 25/08/2008

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th August, 2008.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd June, 2008 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT

There was submitted Report No 347-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval of funding the One World Centre, Dundee through a one year Service Level Agreement.

The Committee agreed that a payment of 4,033 be made by Dundee City Council to One World Centre, Dundee upon satisfactory provision of the service specification contained in Schedule 1 of the Agreement.

II NATIONAL ADULT ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES STRATEGY - ALLOCATION

There was submitted Report No 353-2008 by Director of Leisure and Communities detailing the 2008/2009 allocation received from the Scottish Government for the Community Learning and Development Partnership Implementation of the National Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Strategy.

The Committee approved the allocation of the ESOL Strategy grant from the Scottish Government for the implementation of activities as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

III MAJOR MUSIC FUND

The Convener and Councillors Macpherson and Dawson declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their appointments to the Board of Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre.

There was submitted Report No 364-2008 by Director of Leisure and Communities making recommendations for the allocation of grant awards from the Music Development Major Projects Fund.

The Committee approved the grant as detailed below:-

IV DUNDEE CITY SPORTS COUNCIL - APPLICATION FOR GRANT 2008/2009

The Convener, Bailie Wallace and Councillor Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their appointment to the Board of Dundee City Sports Council.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN138-2008, whereby reference was made to Article XI of the minute of this Committee of 16th December, 2006, wherein approval was given to allow Dundee City Sports Council to administer the Grant Aid Scheme on behalf of Dundee City Council.

It was reported that the amount of grants approved from 1st April, 2007 to 31st March, 2008 for the combined Dundee City Sports Council and Dundee City Disability Sport grant aid schemes had been 7,048.18.

The Committee agreed that 7,714 be allocated to Dundee City Sports Council for administration of the combined grant aid scheme for the year 2008/2009.

This expenditure could be met from the Leisure and Communities Department's 2008/2009 Revenue Budget for Grants.

V DUNDEE CITY SPORTS COUNCIL - CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION OF GRANT AID SCHEME

The Convener, Bailie Wallace and Councillor Duncan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their appointment to the Board of Dundee City Sports Council.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN139-2008 advising the Committee that it had been agreed at the 2008 Dundee City Sports Council AGM that, due to a reduction in the number of Executive Committee meetings, an elected Finance Sub-Group would administer grant aid on behalf of the Executive Committee. All decisions would be reported at the following Executive Committee meeting.

The Committee agreed with this devolved system of grant aid administration.

VI ESTABLISHMENT OF WHITFIELD DEVELOPMENT GROUP AS A RECOGNISED NEIGHBOURHOOD REPRESENTATIVE STRUCTURE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN140-2008 whereby reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Committee of 11th November, 2002, whereby the criteria for the Establishment of Community Councils and Recognised Neighbourhood Representative Structures was set out.

An application had been submitted by Whitfield Development Group outlining the areas whereby criteria had been satisfied:-

(i) Whitfield Development Group is constituted and has named office bearers.

(ii) The geographic area covered by Whitfield Development Group is defined by the area bounded by Longhaugh/Duntrune Roads to the west, the Dundee/Angus boundary to the north, the Kellas (B978)/Baldovie Roads to the east and the Dighty Burn to the south.

(iii) Membership of Whitfield Development Group is open to all persons aged 16 and over living in the stated area. Residents under this age can be represented at the Partnership but will not have voting rights.

(iv) Whitfield Development Group has an Executive Committee of 13 members. They were elected at the Whitfield Development Group's inaugural meeting on Wednesday, 12th September, 2007. All members will serve their office until the next AGM which will be held no later than 15 months from 12th September, 2007.

(v) Whitfield Development Group has a community engagement strategy that identifies a number of methods for seeking the views of the local community and involving constituents in the work of the organisation.

(vi) Whitfield Development Group's constitution commits the organisation to practising equal opportunities and operating in a way which is consistent with accepted standards of public behaviour.

(vii) Whitfield Development Group will comply with the requirements of Accounts Commission/COSLA Code of Guidance on "Following the Public Pound".

In satisfying the formal criteria for recognition as a Neighbourhood Representative Structure, Whitfield Development Group would qualify for access to grant aid, support, information and consultation from all Council Departments, along similar lines to that afforded to properly constituted and recognised Community Councils.

The Committee approved Whitfield Development Group as a Neighbourhood Representative Structure with the same level of recognitions applied to Community Councils.

VII NATIONAL ORGANISATION FUND

There was submitted Report No 388-2008 by Director of Leisure and Communities making recommendations for subscription renewals from the National Organisations Fund.

The Committee approved membership for the national organisations as set out below:-

VIII MENZIESHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE FACADE ENHANCEMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN142-2008 advising the Committee that the Director of Leisure and Communities instructed the City Engineer to arrange for facade enhancement works to be carried out to Menzieshill Community Centre. At the time, Torith Ltd were undertaking drainage works at the Community Centre, therefore an offer was sought to carry out the facade enhancement works. An offer of 10,441 was received and this was checked and considered competitive. An allowance of 3,000 required to be made for professional fees and contingencies, making a total of 13,441 for the project. Given the timescales associated with the project, the Chief Executive had authorised the extension of the existing contract with Torith Ltd.

The Head of Finance confirmed that the required funding was available through the Leisure and Communities Capital Budget 2008/2009.

The Committee noted accordingly.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 405-2008 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) CLATTO BARNS - PART CONVERSION OF STORE TO FORM ARCHERY RANGE

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Ward Building Services Ltd in the sum of 25,565 to which required to be added allowances of 10,000 for water supply and 5,698 for professional services, giving a total cost of 41,263.

(b) CASTLE GREEN PAVILION - NEW TOILETS AND REFURBISHMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Alexander Oastler Ltd in the sum of 173,391 to which required to be added allowances of 10,900 for contingencies, 1,172 for Planning and Building Warrants, 1,699 for CDM Co-ordinator and 27,818 for professional services, giving a total cost of 214,980.

(c) ANCRUM CENTRE - WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept an offer from Dundee Contract Services in the sum of 10,000.

Richard McCREADY, Convener.