Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 13/06/2011

At a MEETING of the LEISURE, ARTS AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th June 2011.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Bob DUNCAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th May, 2011 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ADULT EDUCATION FUND (ADULT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION)

There was submitted Report No 267-2011 by the Director of Leisure and Communities detailing an application received from Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA), to assist in the administrative and running costs of a programme of evening classes for the adult community in and around Broughty Ferry.

The Committee approved the recommended grant of 2,850 to allow the organisation to continue to provide a very valuable and wide-ranging evening class provision for the residents of Broughty Ferry and Dundee.

II INTRODUCTION OF AN ASPIRING NATIONAL ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME AND NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL EVENTS HOSTING GRANT TOTHE SPORTDUNDEE GRANT AID SCHEME

Councillor McCready declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his appointment to the SportDundee Board.

There was submitted Report No 264-2011 by the Director of Leisure and Communities seeking approval for the addition of two new categories to the existing SportDundee Grant Aid Scheme.

The Committee agreed that an Aspiring National Athlete Scholarship Scheme and a National/International Events Grant be included within the SportDundee Grant Aid Scheme and managed by the SportDundee Executive Committee.

III TENDER FOR LITERACIES DELIVERY - TENDER REF: LTS/20/5/11

There was submitted Report No 288-2011 by the Director of Leisure and Communities detailing the proposals received for the delivery of literacy services focussed on supporting employability and requested a decision on acceptance of the recommendation.

The Committee approved acceptance of the proposal submitted by Craigowl Communities to deliver literacy services focussed on employability for the period 1st July, 2011 - 31st March, 2012 at a total cost of 19,500.

IV LEISURE CENTRES - RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT

The Convener, Councillors Hunter, Ross, McCready and Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their Council appointments to Dundee Leisure Board.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN87-2011 advising the Committee that offers for a rental agreement to cover four years for the provision, repair and maintenance of fitness equipment at Lochee, DISC, Douglas and Lynch Sports Centre were put out to tender.

An evaluation on the accepted tenders was carried out and it was recommended that the offer from DG Fitness & Leisure Ltd, being the most advantageous, be accepted.

The financial implications of the offer equate to a rental cost, including the repairs and maintenance, at an annual sum of 31,848. This would include new equipment at the four leisure centres. The rental agreement would be financed through the Leisure and Communities Revenue Budget over the next four years.

This reflected arrangements with equipment which are rented at Olympia and previously at the four other leisure centres and, where the service provided, had been excellent to date in terms of response and content.

It was recommended that the rental agreement from DG Fitness & Leisure Ltd run for four years.

The Committee approved accordingly.

V NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS - DEPARTMENTAL MEMBERSHIP OF YOUTHLINK SCOTLAND

There was submitted Agenda Note AN88-2011, whereby it was recommended that the Committee approved the payment of 1,000 for the renewal of the Council's annual subscription to YouthLink Scotland, an umbrella organisation for the voluntary/statutory youth work sector, both uniformed and non-uniformed.

Youthlink Scotland would provide the following member services:-

- Policy Briefings

- Youth Work Training

- Youth Information

- Cashback for Communities

- National Representation

This expenditure would be met from the Leisure and Communities Department's 2011/2012 Revenue Budget.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VI LEISURE AND COMMUNITIES ROAD IMPROVEMENTS 2011/2012

There was submitted Agenda Note AN89-2011 advising the Committee that on the instruction of the Director of Leisure and Communities, proposals were prepared for resurfacing work within Caird Park, Dundee.

It was recommended 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 road works service.

Approval was therefore sought to extend the Partnering Agreement with Tayside Contracts for this work up to a value of 50,000, including professional fees. The Director of Finance advised that the expenditure could be met from the Leisure and Communities Capital Programme 2011/2012.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VII LEISURE AND COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN REVIEW 2011

There was submitted Report No 318-2011 by the Director of Leisure and Communities reviewing the performance of the Leisure and Communities Department in relation to its Service Plan 2010/2012 and adding new actions flowing from this review and assessments carried out in the past year.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the content of the Leisure and Communities Department Service Review 2011 and instruct the Director to continue to seek improvement on the level of performance;

(ii) approve the actions identified in the review to be included in the various Service Plans and Business Plans that would replace it; and

(iii) refer this report to the Leisure and Culture Dundee Board, once established, for their interest and action.

Bob DUNCAN, Convener.