Leisure, Arts And Communities Committee - 08/05/2000

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 8th May, 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor KEMP, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th April 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FUND I 2000/2001

At a meeting on 10th February 1997, the Committee approved the criteria and procedures for the Department's grant aid portfolio (Report No 127-1997 refers).

There was submitted Report No 328-2000 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development detailing recommendations for specific grant awards.

The Committee approved the following recommended grants which can be met from the relevant revenue budget 2000/2001:-

II ADULT LEARNERS WEEK

The Committee noted that Adult Learners Week will be held this year from 20th to 26th May 2000. A range of events is being promoted by the Department.

These events will include a "Family History for Beginners" at the Central Library; an "Introduction to Organic Gardening" and a dyslexia workshop at Mitchell Street Centre; "Complementary Therapy - 50+ Focus" at Brooksbank Neighbourhood Centre; Child and Family Project - "My Identity and Life Story" at Ardler Complex; and "Parenting Skills" Play Modules, in partnership with Fair Play, at Douglas Community and Library Centre.

All Neighbourhood Libraries will be offering a range of taster sessions with new technology - internet, CD ROM and Pinpoint - during the week. The comprehensive list of activities was now available.

This information will also be collated locally to highlight community events and localised Centre brochures will also be produced.

III GRANT AID 1999/2000

At its meeting on 10th February 1997, (Report No 127-1997 refers), authority was given to the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development to make awards, in consultation with the Convener, from the Adult Education Fund to support individuals experiencing disadvantage and meet costs relating to courses of part-time study which are accredited and have a vocational reference.

The Committee noted that, during financial year 1999/2000, 124 individual awards were made at a total cost of 6,685.58. This sum was contained within the grants portfolio of the Department's 1999/2000 revenue budget.

IV CREDIT UNIONS IN DUNDEE - FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Councillors Rolfe, Sturrock and Letford declared an interest in this item. The Director of Support Services advised that the interests would not preclude members from participating in any discussion and vote, if necessary.

There was submitted Report No 329-2000 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development presenting proposals for Dundee City Council's support for the development of Credit Unions in Dundee.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(i) that discussions are initiated with existing Credit Unions and relevant Council Departments - Economic Development, Housing and Finance to agree a way forward.

(ii) that a draft Social Inclusion Partnership proposal is prepared for Dundee Partnership.

(iii) that contact is established with the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) and identified partners to expedite progress.

(iv) that the current appropriate level of support to existing Credit Unions is maintained.

V FINES AMNESTY

At its meeting on 14th February 2000, the Committee asked that a Fines Amnesty be organised during March, immediately before the introduction of the amended fines structure.

The result of the Amnesty was that an additional 8,424 items were returned as detailed below:-

This represented an increase of approximately 10% above the level of returns normally expected.

The Committee noted the above information.

JOHN KEMP, Convener.