LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 1998 - 3.00pm

 

Present:-  Councillors Calvert, Robertson (A), Morrison (M), Jackson, Roach, Robertson (Y), Mulholland, Sir Simpson Stevenson, Finnie and Hunter, Councillor Morrison (M), Convener, in the Chair.

 

In attendance:-  The Assistant Chief Executive (Social and Community Development), the Director of Central Services, the Director of Leisure and Recreation, the Director of Finance, Mr D Stoddart (for the Director of Property and Technical Services), Mr C Clelland (for the Director of Legal Services) and Miss J Monteith (for the Director of Education Services).

 

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

 

   186      ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS                                                                                                           186

 

The Convener referred to two reports by the Director of Leisure and Recreation advising (a) that a problem with the quality of ice within the curling rink at the Waterfront Leisure Complex had been identified and (b) that outstanding works at the Waterfront Leisure Complex would have to be addressed, both reports recommending action to address the problems.  The Convener also referred to a report by the Director of Education Services requesting that an opportunity to upgrade the shop facilities at the McLean Museum be considered.  The Convener indicated that consideration of these items was urgent to allow action, if agreed to progress as soon as possible and moved that the 3 items be added to the agenda.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

 

   187      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS                                                          187

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 3 February 1998 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the 1997/98 Capital Programme and indicating specific items which required approval in terms of the Council's Financial Regulations.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the content of the report be noted; and

(b)  That the Committee approve the following items of expenditure:-

Project	Effect on Expenditure
Greenock Waterfront:
Emergency Repairs to Trespa Panels	£9,020     increase
Internal Signage	£14,100     reduction
Illuminated Flooring	£10,000     reduction
Additional Builderwork	£10,255     increase
South Boundary Footpath	£10,500     reduction

 

   188      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - FINANCIAL POSITION                                                            188

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 6 February 1998 by the Director of Finance detailing the financial position of current and proposed projects included in the 1997/98 Capital Programme.

NOTED

 

   189      REVENUE BUDGET 1997/98                                                                                                                189

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 1997/98 as at 7 January 1998.

NOTED

 

   190      CAFE SERVICES AT MCLEAN MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY                                                     190

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 4 February 1998 by the Director of Education Services advising of the withdrawal of the cafeteria services at the McLean Museum and Art Gallery.

DECIDED:  That the report be continued for further information from the Department of Contract Services.

 

   191      FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER                                                                                             191

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 4 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation requesting the Committee to approve further funding for the post of Football Development Officer.

DECIDED:  That it be remitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee to consider funding of up to £15,000 for the post of Football Development Officer either from the mainline budget or from the Common Good Fund.

 

   192      FEES AND CHARGES 1998/99                                                                                                             192

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 6 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation on proposed levels of fees and charges for 1998/99.

DECIDED:  That the report be continued until a decision has been made on the position of the 1998/99 Revenue Budget.

 

   193      PARKS CLIENT REPORT                                                                                                                     193

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 5 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation advising of the Grounds Maintenance Contractor's performance, identifying ongoing works and forecasting items which will addressed during the forthcoming months.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Leisure and Recreation to submit a detailed report to the next meeting with regard to progress on repairs to the roadways and footpaths  at Birkmyre, Kilmacolm; Kelburn Riverside; Tower Hill, Gourock; and Birkmyre, Port Glasgow.

 

   194      LEISURE COMPLEX UPDATE                                                                                                             194

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 5 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation on the progress of the Waterfront Leisure Complex both operationally and in relation to the remaining building defects.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That the action taken by the Director of Leisure and Recreation to proceed directly with the defect repairs and charging costs to retention monies be approved; and

(c)  That the reprogramming of the training pool to allow for the installation of the movable pool floor be agreed.

 

   195      FITNESS CENTRES                                                                                                                               195

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 6 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation on the present position regarding the refurbishment and installation of fitness equipment within Greenock Sports Centre, Boglestone Community Centre and Gourock Outdoor Pool.

DECIDED:  That the contents of the report be noted and that the action taken by the Director of Leisure and Recreation to reprogramme the use of Greenock Sports Centre and Boglestone Community Centre to accommodate the refurbishment of the centres be agreed.

 

   196      GOUROCK HIGHLAND GAMES                                                                                                         196

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 4 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation requesting the Committee to approve funding for the staging of the Gourock Highland Games on Sunday 10 May 1998.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the report be remitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee for consideration and requesting that funding of £10,000 be granted either from the mainline budget or from the Common Good Fund; and

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Leisure and Recreation to submit a comprehensive report on the calendar of Inverclyde events supported by the Council indicating priorities and financial implications.

 

   197      WATERFRONT LEISURE COMPLEX:  MOVEABLE POOL FLOOR                                                197

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 11 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation advising of the action taken in respect of the tender for the moveable pool floor at the Waterfront Leisure Complex in terms of the use of Standing Order 66.

DECIDED:  That the Committee note the use of the Standing Order 66 procedure to approve acceptance of the re-negotiated tender from Polymarin Ltd in the sum of £90,375 on its behalf and that the Council be recommended to suspend the relevant Standing Order and homologate the Committee's decision.

 

   198      RESOLUTION : EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS                                                                    198

 

On the motion of the Convener it was agreed unanimously that in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that consideration of the items involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item:-

 

Item                                                                                                    Paragraph(s)

 

Leisure Management Facilities Statistical Information                            9

Leisure Management DSO/DLO: Revenue Budget 1997/98                 8

Waterfront Leisure Complex: Revenue Budget                                     8

Waterfront Leisure Complex: Curling Rink Conditions                          9

Waterfront Leisure Complex: Outstanding Works                                6 & 8

McLean Museum: Use of Watt Trust                                                   6 & 8

 

   199      LEISURE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES: STATISTICAL INFORMATION                                        199

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 5 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation advising of the number of users and associated income for facilities run under the Leisure Management Contract in the Department of Leisure and Recreation for the period from 8 December 1997 to 25 January 1998.

NOTED

 

   200      LEISURE MANAGEMENT DSO/DLO REVENUE BUDGET 1997/98                                                 200

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 1997/98 as at 7 January 1998.

NOTED

 

   201      WATERFRONT LEISURE COMPLEX:  REVENUE BUDGET 1997/98                                               201

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation seeking approval for the virement of finances within the Waterfront Leisure Complex Revenue Budget 1997/98.

DECIDED:  That the virement of money as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report and the funding of spend to save initiatives on the heating system, closed circuit television installation, additional ventilation equipment and fencing for the Complex together with expenditure on advertising and management costs to a total of £176,000 be approved.

 

   202      GREENOCK WATERFRONT LEISURE COMPLEX:  CURLING RINK CONDITIONS                   202

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 19 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation advising of the poor quality of ice in the curling rink at the Waterfront Leisure Complex.

DECIDED:  That it be agreed that a suitable independent expert be appointed (i) to consider the reasons for the current problem and (ii) to identify the measures necessary to resolve the current problem subject to the cost of the proposed appointment being approved by the Chief Executive.

 

   203      WATERFRONT LEISURE COMPLEX:  OUTSTANDING WORKS                                                   203

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 February 1998 by the Director of Leisure and Recreation advising of various works required at the Waterfront Leisure Complex.

DECIDED: 

(a)  That the works detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(b)  That the works be undertaken in accordance with the arrangements proposed in paragraph 5.2 of the report.

 

   204      MCLEAN MUSEUM:  USE OF WATT TRUSTS                                                                                  204

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 26 February 1998 by the Director of Education Services requesting the use of finance from the Watt Trust towards costs of improving the shop facilities at the McLean Museum and Art Gallery.

DECIDED:  That the Committee approve the expenditure of £7,266 from the Watt Trust towards the costs of improving the shop facilities at the McLean Museum.