Thursday 29 June 2006

West End Issues.

A large number of issues in the West End tackled this week including:
  • Following complaints, I have raised the concerns about the high shruberry on the roundabout at Riverside Drive/Avenue (near Marmalade Pot) - very difficult for drivers coming roundabout to see pedestrians - have raised this concern with the Planning & Transportation Department. See photo below!
  • Pigeons problem on part of Blackness Avenue - raised with Environmental Health & Trading Standards.
  • Need for litter bins at bus shelters opposite River Crescent and Riverside Place on Perth Road raised with the City Council.
  • Bus Shelter on Blackness Road opposite Abbotsford Street has "real time information" - but its not working. Following resident's complaint, I brought this matter to the attention of the Planning & Transportation Department - it turns out that there is an electrical supply fault, and a repair has been actioned.
  • Residents complain lights out in path between Ninewells Hospital to Ninewells Avenue (out of east gate) - having checked with the Council's Street Lighting people, its the responsibility of NHS Tayside, so raising this with them.
  • Requests for bus shelter at Blackness Road near Jedburgh Road (no buildings here so very exposed). Have raised this with the City Council.
  • Quite a number of pavement resurfacing issues have been raised recently & I am progressing these with the City Council.

Any resident wishing to raise a local issue with me can do so by e-mailing westend@frasermacpherson.org.uk.


Overgrown shrubbery at roundabout near Marmalade Pot - not good news for pedestrians.
Posted by Picasa

Saturday 24 June 2006

OK, a few photos!

I've posted a few photos of the last few days below. A few personal things - Thursday was my older step-son's graduation, so three photos below! A really great day but early to bed because Friday was a 3.30am start to get the first flight from Glasgow to Stornoway for a day job meeting.

The people at Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) were, as always, really welcoming and we had a trip round the island including to the Callanish Stones (click on the title above for more info about the stones). We all got a bit wet but it was really worthwhile.

Not back in Dundee until after 10pm, so it was a bit of a struggle to get out of bed this morning to help with the West End clean up, organised by the West End Community Council. But worth the struggle! A good turnout of people and we split into three groups to litter pick, remove graffiti and generally tidy up the area.

Other events of the last few days:

* Following discussion between myself & Cllr Jill Shimi, Leader of Dundee City Council, we have published a three year review of the achievements of the LibDem/Labour administration - you can download this at -
http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4354cb46e84541.81564487/Various%20Policy%20Resources/Administration+Review+-+Three+Years+On.pdf

* Pleased to see support from a West Ferry resident for my comments supporting the Police campaign to stop "boy racers" in local streets - see
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2006/06/22/letters.shtm

West End Clean Up today! I'm on the right (at the front!). More photos at www.wecc.org.uk Posted by Picasa

The Callanish Stones Posted by Picasa

Off on a trip round the Isle of Lewis Posted by Picasa

Family Group at graduation party Posted by Picasa

Just before the ceremony started ... Posted by Picasa

Mark before his graduation with Janet & me Posted by Picasa

Wednesday 21 June 2006

Dundee success, progress on graffiti, and some bus timetables...

Monday night was spent at the COSLA Excellence Awards in Glasgow with the City Council Revenues Team who were shortlisted for the Service Improvement and Customer Needs award to mark the great strides forward in Council Tax collection levels in Dundee. See photos below. A thoroughly enjoyable night and great to see the City Council Revenues Team's efforts being recognised. Click on headline for the detail of the collection improvements in 2005/6.

And talking of photos below - at last !! Timetables are being put up on bus stops across the West End as this photo from yesterday in Perth Road shows. I have been raising this issue for some time & pleased to see progress.

Progress also on the graffiti on utility boxes issue with an officer from Waste Management advising that one of the cable TV companies in dialogue with the City Council about tackling the graffiti issue.

Lastly, good news - road surface improvements in Commercial Street south end at start of next month.

Bus Timetables across the West End - at last! Posted by Picasa

The Awards Dinner at the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow Posted by Picasa

The Dundee City Council Revenues Team at Monday's COSLA Excellence Awards Dinner Posted by Picasa

Sunday 18 June 2006

LibDem weekend!

Rather a LibDem weekend over the past couple of days with Saturday spent at a party regional policy roadshow in Perth and much of Sunday campaigning across the West End. The Saturday event was really well attended and I don't think anyone doubts the good heart the party is in. The 2007 elections at both parliamentary and local council level look really promising although today has reminded me that campaigning results in sore feet! And it was raining this afternoon.

Pleased to say that two street signs I had asked to be replaced (ie vandalised or missing) in Stevens Yard (off Shepherd's Loan) and at Taylor's Lane were seen to last Tuesday. Met a number of constituents on Friday on various matters including Council Tax charges, anti-social behaviour concerns and housing repairs.

Off to Glasgow Monday evening with the Council's Revenues staff - the team are in the final of the COSLA Excellence Awards given the great progress in Dundee in relation to Council Tax collection.

Wednesday 14 June 2006

Community Councils and BARA

Yesterday (Tuesday 13th June) prior to the West End Community Council monthly meeting, Community Councillors and residents had a guided tour of the Riverside Nature Park, courtesy of the City Council's Leisure & Communities Department. It was really worthwhile & highlights the need to see the area opened to the public as soon as possible (or as soon as SEPA....)

My West End Community Council Update covers a number of issues locally including matters in Westfield Place, Shepherd's Loan, Perth Road and Taylor's Lane, together with crossing of Riverside Approach and graffiti matters. You can download this at :

http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4354cb46e84541.81564487/Tay%20Bridges%20Ward%20-%20Various%20Resources/West%20End%20Community%20Council%20Updates/%2A%2A+LATEST+%2A%2A+A+new+update+for+June+2006.pdf

At tonight's BARA (Blackness Area Residents' Association) meeting I raised the following matters:
  • Detail of speeding survey in Peddie Street
  • Timetables on bus stops - real progress towards getting them installed throughout the West End
  • Commitment from owners at Peddie Street industrial estate to get the rubbish/litter problem resolved

Tomorrow the City Centre & Harbour Community Council meets. Issues covered include :

  • CCTV - Gellatly Street Car Park
  • Recycling in the City Centre
  • City Centre Play Park
  • Nethergate/Marketgait junction

You can download this here :

http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4354cb46e84541.81564487/Tay%20Bridges%20Ward%20-%20Various%20Resources/City%20Centre%20and%20Harbour%20Community%20Council%20Updates/%2A%2A+LATEST+%2A%2A+A+new+update+for+June+2006+.pdf


Some of the group (me in middle at back!) Posted by Picasa

And ... westwards towards Invergowrie Bay Posted by Picasa

The superb view eastwards from the Nature Park towards the Tay Bridges Posted by Picasa

West End Community Council Group at Riverside Nature Park Posted by Picasa

Saturday 10 June 2006

Super weather ...

In between the organisation of leaflet deliveries of West End FOCUS, we had a bit of time off over the weekend to visit Broughty Ferry beach (see below) and meet Midas, my sister-in-law's neighbour's beautiful Burmese cat.

Broughty Ferry Beach at the weekend - superb weather! And a great break off delivering West End FOCUS! Posted by Picasa

Monday 5 June 2006

Wind turbines, West End newsletters ...

The past week has been a bit challenging logistically in that half of it was spent in London & Belfast on day job matters so constituent queries were tackled by phone/e-mail from afar. Got back Saturday just in time to start delivery of West End FOCUS, my newsletter - you can read this in two parts!

Page 1 -
http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4354cb46e84541.81564487/Tay%20Bridges%20Ward%20-%20Various%20Resources/FOCUS%20NEWSLETTERS%20-%20West%20End/FOCUS+Edition+51+-+June+2006+-+page+1.pdf

Page 2 -
http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4354cb46e84541.81564487/Tay%20Bridges%20Ward%20-%20Various%20Resources/FOCUS%20NEWSLETTERS%20-%20West%20End/FOCUS+Edition+51+-+June+2006+-+page+2.pdf

Err, rather long links, sorry!

Other recent matters:

* Spoke today on Wave 102 (and quoted in Courier) about crime statistics in West Port area. The West Port beat has the highest crime statistics in Tayside. Both Tayside Police & I have pointed out the area is quiet most of the time but concern from residents in particular about assaults in the early hours. Police being very proactive.

* Also raised today concern about tax credits overpayments - 6200 Dundee families being told by HM Revenue & Customs to pay back a total of £4.8 million of overpaid tax credit. A total administrative shambles. Covered in tonight's Evening Telegraph -
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2006/06/05/story8412080t0.shtm.

* Busy surgery tonight at Blackness Primary School - issues ranging from pavement repairs, houses in multiple occupation, "No Ball Games" signs and other matters.

* Useful visit to Michelin today along with other Dundee councillors to speak to management & visit the new wind turbines. Photos below taken from underneath one of them - I was really surprised at just how quiet they are. Impressed by Michelin's tackling of assisting residents with any concerns.

Under Wind Turbine Posted by Picasa

Wind turbine in distance Posted by Picasa