Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 24/11/2008

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th November, 2008.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Richard McCREADY, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th November, 2008 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE SPRING GARDEN SHOW

There was submitted Agenda Note AN214-2008 advising the Committee that due to the failing attendance at Spring Garden Shows over recent years, the Leisure and Communities Department had undertaken an option appraisal to establish whether moving the show to alternative locations would improve its prospects of being operated on a cost neutral basis. None of the options examined enabled a scenario where the show could break even. The Department's main focus would be the continued successful delivery of the Summer Flower and Food Festival. In light of the fact that there was no revenue provision in the Leisure and Communities budget to subsidise the running costs of the show, it was recommended that it did not take place in 2009 and that longer term options would continue to be discussed including the possibility of sponsorship or partnering with other organisations to consider whether it would be possible to re-establish a Spring Garden Show in the City for 2010.

The Committee agreed the proposal as detailed.

II ARDLER CAFE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN215-2008 asking the Committee to note that following a successful pilot during May and June 2008, Dundee College catering students supported by their lecturers, were now operating the Ardler Complex Cafe on a five day per week, 36 weeks per year basis.

The purpose-built new cafe, with full catering facilities, was completed in 2008 as part of an extension to Ardler Complex. This was financed by capital funding as part of the creation of Ardler Village.

The partnership with Dundee College gave local people access to high quality, low cost healthy food from the facility five days per week.

The partnership arrangement incurred no costs to Dundee City Council and all revenue costs were met by the income generated by the cafe. Dundee College had limited space for their students at Glamis Road Campus and their Catering Department benefited from the partnership by having access to a "live" training venue for their vocational training in the food industry as students worked towards SVQ module outcomes.

The Committee noted the outcome of this pilot accordingly.

III OLYMPIA REFURBISHMENT

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

There was submitted Agenda Note AN216-2008 advising the Committee that after a survey, an offer of 8,752 had been received from specialist company, Universal Glass Fibre Products, Logie Avenue, Dundee for the refurbishment of the slides at Olympia Leisure Centre. The refurbishment would be addressed at the annual maintenance closure and was necessary to avoid the shutting down of the slides in six month's time.

The Committee agreed that this offer be accepted, having noted that the total expenditure of 8,752 would be met from the allocation within the Leisure and Communities 2008/2009 Capital Budget.

IV OLYMPIA - KITCHEN EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT

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 AN218-2008 seeking approval for the replacement of kitchen equipment in Ollie's Cafe in Olympia Leisure Centre at a cost of 9,895 from Walton Catering Equipment Ltd. A Corporate Health and Safety inspection was undertaken in May 2008 which highlighted the need to replace certain pieces of kitchen equipment to allow it to conform to relevant legislation. In consideration of Olympia's projected lifespan and the cafe being a lease venue, the recommendations were reviewed and specialist commercial kitchen equipment companies were asked to quote. Two quotes were provided:-

The most efficient time to undertake these replacements would be during the annual maintenance closure in December.

The Committee agreed that the offer from Walton Catering Equipment Ltd be accepted having noted that the expenditure of 9,895 would be met from the allocation within the Leisure and Communities 2008/2009 Capital Budget.

Richard McCREADY, Convener.