Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 27/10/2008

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th October, 2008.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd September, 2008 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TRAINING GRANTS FUND

There was submitted Report No 499-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities making recommendations for grant awards from the Voluntary Organisations' Training Grants Fund.

The Committee agreed that the undernoted awards be made:-

II REFURBISHMENT PROJECT - McMANUS GALLERIES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN196-2008 advising the Committee that the project was progressing well, and that it was anticipated that handover from the building contractors to the fit-out contractors would take place in December 2008 with a 12 month fit-out programme running through to the end of 2009.

The Committee would also be aware of press and public comment about the identity and name of the galleries following completion of the refurbishment programme. After discussion, the following proposals were put forward for approval.

(i) The refurbishment complex should be known as "The McManus: Dundee Art Gallery and Museum". This identity would increase accessibility for those undertaking internet searches. It would continue to honour those previously associated with the galleries and would acknowledge the most recent donation by the Lethendy Trust in memory of Hugh Ker.

(ii) The new "The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum" would include the following galleries, the names of which have been chosen to reflect the original purpose, patronage and history of the building, as well as the acknowledgement of new patrons and the developing focus of the facility.

(iii) The Committee were also asked to accept that as a condition of the donation of 100,000 from the Lethendy Trust, the identity of the Hugh Ker Learning Suite requires to be protected for a period of not less than 30 years. In that period, should the Creative Learning Suite be relocated, the Hugh Ker identity and that of the Lethendy Trust would transfer within the building.

The Committee agreed the proposals accordingly.

III McMANUS GALLERIES REDEVELOPMENT

There was submitted Report No 525-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities and Depute Chief Executive (Finance) seeking approval of tenders received for the Display Galleries Redevelopment Project and seeking approval to incur additional expenditure referred to in this report. The Committee was also asked to note the additional external funding from Historic Scotland of 267,525 and the Lethendy Trust of 100,000.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve acceptance of the tender for the shopfitting works from Elmwoods, Glasgow in the amount of 1,073,457;

(ii) note the overspend of 263,000 on the Display Fit-out Project as referred to in paragraph 4.3 of the report;

(iii) note the overspend of 789,000 on the current construction contract as referred to in paragraph 4.4 of the report;

(iv) note the award of additional external funding from Historic Scotland of 267,525 and the Lethendy Trust of 100,000 as referred to in paragraph 4.5 of the report; and

(v) approve that the capital expenditure budget for McManus Galleries Redevelopment be increased by 1,056,000 as detailed in paragraph 4.6.

IV ROAD IMPROVEMENTS 2008/2009

There was submitted Agenda Note AN197-2008 advising the Committee that on the instruction of the Director of Leisure and Communities, proposals had been prepared for road resurfacing work within Eastern Cemetery, Barnhill Cemetery and Caird Park.

The Committee agreed that the City Engineer be instructed to include this work within the existing Partnership Agreement with Tayside Contracts for delivering the road maintenance and minor roadworks service.

Approval was also given to extend the Partnering Agreement with Tayside Contracts for this work up to a value of 50,000 including professional fees. The Depute Chief Executive (Finance) advises that the expenditure can be met from the Leisure and Communities Capital Programme 2008/2009.

V OLYMPIA ANNUAL MAINTENANCE 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 appointment to Dundee Leisure Board.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN198-2008 advising the Committee that to enable boiler testing, essential maintenance and a programme of deep-cleaning to take place, approval was requested for Olympia Swimming and Leisure Centre to close for the usual annual period from Monday, 8th December, 2008 until Sunday, 21st December, 2008 both dates inclusive. Dundee Leisure Trust Board agreed this closure at its meeting on 30th September, 2008. Alternative facilities would be available at Lochee Swimming and Leisure Centre during the closure period.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VI TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 519-2008 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) DOUGLAS SPORTS CENTRE - AUTOMATIC DOOR

The Committee agreed to accept an offer from Dundee Contract Services in the sum of 8,620 to which required to be added 1,380 for professional services, giving a total cost of 10,000.

(b) MENZIESHILL NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE TOILET REFURBISHMENT PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd, Dundee in the sum of 58,832.17 to which required to be added 631 from CDM Co-ordinator and 9,425 for professional services, giving a total cost of 68,888.17.

(c) ARDLER NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE - TOILET REFURBISHMENT PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from George Martin (Builders) Ltd, Dundee in the sum of 45,242.45 to which required to be added 757 for CDM Co-ordinator and 7,340 for professional services, giving a total cost of 53,339.45.

Richard McCREADY, Convener.