Monday 28 November 2011

Tonight's Council Committees

Following my surgeries this afternoon at the Mitchell Street Centre and at Harris Academy, I attended tonight's City Council meetings at which :

* At Education Committee, I sought assurances from the City Council's Chief Executive that the council's involvement in the East Scotland Territory Hub for capital projects will ensure Best Value, will give local contractors a fair share of the work and that funding per square metre on schools' projects from the Scottish Futures Trust is sufficient to build a high-quality new Harris Academy building.

* At Policy & Resources Committee, I welcomed the City Council's support for the Whitehall Theatre, but sought assurances about the continuing role of the theatre's superb volunteers.

* The item on local road speed limits was withdrawn from the City Development Committee agenda at short notice.    The Director of City Development has advised me :

"It has been withdrawn to enable a review of the key recommendations and will come back to Committee as soon as possible."

I have made clear that the 40 mph reduced speed limit proposed for Riverside Drive and Riverside Avenue should be retained in any revised report.

* I joined with colleagues in thanking all who made last Friday's Christmas Light Night such a success and also took the opportunity to mention Thursday's forthcoming West End Christmas Lights switch on!