Monday 13 March 2006

Fairtrade, update on Peddie Street, and a bit of non-snow

Useful day today - met with Director of Housing and amongst other things got the position re stair lighting clarified (in my mind!) - Dundee Contract Services taking on responsibility for stair lighting repairs in stairwells etc where there is a least one DCC tenant. Starting on 1st April, this will greatly improve responsiveness to lighting repair requests and will allow for better tracking of repair jobs. Had a good few problems in this area in past (since Electricity privatisation really) so this will be a good step forward but won't help wholly owner occupied blocks or wholly privately rented ones.

Couple of other useful meetings whilst my colleague Helen (Cllr Helen Dick, Strathmartine Ward) was at the Tay Bridge Board making a speech in favour of Tay Tolls abolition. She was erroneously reported in the Tele as Elizabeth Dick (corrected in the Courier) - Liz was our previous parliamentary candidate in Dundee West - absolutely no relation! One of my other meetings was with Planning & Transportation & Scotia Gas Networks about the on-going roadworks in Roseangle. They are running late due to problems with sett replacements and also the weather. Helpful reassurances from the Gas chap about getting the work completed ASAP. Will deliver a letter to the residents affected tomorrow to let them know.

Helen & I managed to catch the Fairtrade Fortnight reception - this was really good - two ladies from Ghana (both called Comfort) explained how Fairtrade has transformed their lives. Really moving - and good to see the reception supported by lots of people and poiticians of all parties.

Rest of day on day job (including the evening apart from my surgery at Blackness Primary School) - Council meetings cancelled due to severe weather warning. Having cancelled the meetings, the weather then didn't arrive!

Feedback on Peddie Street speeding ... another traffic survey will be done and matter will be raised by Planning & Transportation at their liaison meeting with Tayside Police later in the week.