Cllr Fraser Macpherson - LibDem Councillor for Dundee's West End - www.dundeewestend.com

On Wave 102 news about Blackness Library ...

2012-02-14T06:40:00.000Z

I was on the Wave 102 news yesterday about the Blackness Library proposed capital investment yesterday. Click 'play' to listen:

Monday update

2012-02-13T22:53:00.000Z

Today :

+ I attended the latest meeting of the Balgay Stakeholders Group, at which we discussed various issues affecting Balgay Park and Hill and Victoria Park. I recently raised residents' concerns about the state of the roadway near to Mills Observatory (mud and potholes) and assurances were given about resolving this. The Conservation Volunteering Day in January was a great success and the next one takes place on Sunday 1st April.

+ I met with Mark Welsh, who will soon become Branch Manager of the new HSBC bank branch in Murraygate. The new £1.8 million HSBC Dundee Branch is a great investment in the city, coming at a time when other banks are contracting their branch network. It was good to hear about HSBC's plans for this new facility in Dundee - the branch opens on 19th March.

+ I held two ward surgeries - at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre.

+ I participated in tonight's City Council committees at which :

- At the Housing Committee, I queried progress on the Common Housing Register (to allow Dundee people easier application for housing from multiple housing providers, including housing associations and the City Council).

- At the Environment Committee, I asked about ensuring that new electric car charging facilities are provided for Dundee citizens.

- At the Policy and Resources Committee, I asked about the extent of public access to the City Council's website (arising out of the Annual Consumer Survey undertaken on behalf of the City Council), opposed yet more councillor attendance at conferences by the SNP administration at council tax payers' expense and welcomed progress on the council's commitment to Fairtrade.

Homebase site - Riverside Drive

2012-02-13T06:34:00.001Z

I recently raised with the owners of the disused Homebase site on Riverside Drive residents' concerns about a gap in the security fencing round the site.

The owners, H&H Properties, responded assuring me that a prompt repair would be carried out and this has indeed since taken place.

H&H Properties also confirmed to me that it is intended to start work on-site in late April or early May, with the piling contractor being on-site during May and June.

Although I was opposed to the original planning application as I feel more could be made of this site with stunning views across the River Tay, the fact that development is to move forward will at least ensure that an unsightly gap site will come into a useful future use as apartments close to the City Centre, cultural quarter, V&A at Dundee and the rail station.

Whitney Houston : 1963-2012

2012-02-12T19:11:00.000Z

Getting things done ... Windsor Street

2012-02-12T07:00:00.000Z

Following complaints from residents about the state of the pavements in Windsor Street on its east side (see right), I took up the matter with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have now been promised footpath repairs at both the north and south ends of the street.

University of Dundee Volunteering Fayre

2012-02-12T06:36:00.000Z

I'll be participating along with Dundee Liberal Democrats in supporting the University of Dundee Volunteering Fayre later this month :

You can download the above poster here.

West End Community Council - my February Update

2012-02-11T06:59:00.000Z

I have today launched my February 2012 update for next Tuesday's West End Community Council meeting. Subjects covered include pavement repairs in Windsor Street, the bank branch closure at the University of Dundee Student Union and safety barrier improvements at Hawkhill.

You can download my update at http://tinyurl.com/weccfeb2012.

The Community Council meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th February at 7pm at Logie St John's (Cross) Chruch Hall in Shaftesbury Terrace - all residents welcome.

Dundee City Council Budget : An opportunity lost

2012-02-10T09:09:00.000Z

At yesterday's City Council Budget meeting, the Liberal Democrat Group’s amendments to the City Council’s proposed revenue and capital budgets proposed :

* A cut of up to £6 in the Council Tax bills for residents - the Liberal Democrats were the only group to propose a cut in the Council Tax, to assist hard-pressed council taxpayers in challenging financial times.

* A large increase in capital funding for seven primary schools’ improvements (including Blackness and Ancrum Road).

* Removing the cost of one of the two civic cars, cutting out alcohol hospitality budgets and no councillor attendance at conferences.

* Visiting music and PE specialists posts for primary schools and music instructors posts under threat from the SNP would be saved.

* An Unadopted Roads Budget (like the unadopted pavements one as badly conditioned roads such as Shaftesbury Place are excluded from the footpaths budget).

* A new fund to allow parking improvements in areas like Pentland.

We were grateful for the support of other groups and one of the independent councillors but unfortunately the SNP proceeded with its cuts agenda, despite proposing a higher Council Tax than the Liberal Democrats. This will, sadly, see the loss of the music and PE teaching posts. I quoted from an SNP election leaflet at the meeting :

I agree with the sentiment above. The unfortunate thing is that the SNP - who wrote it - don't. Actions speak so much louder than words.

Getting things done ... Kelso Steps handrail extension

2012-02-10T06:58:00.000Z

The steps from Blackness Road to Kelso Street (see right) are not only very useful for residents and many Harris Academy pupils travelling to/from the school from the north of the catchment area, they are also well-used by visitors to Royal Victoria Hospital.

On behalf of residents and visitors, I recently raised with the City Council the need for an extension to the handrail on the steps. I am grateful for the positive response from the council's transportation division as follows :

"An engineer from my team met the blacksmiths on site and I am now awaiting a quotation for the handrail extension. Depending on quotation received, work load and available budget this will be ordered or retained on file to be ordered in April when new funding is available."

February West End Community Council Meeting - come along! All residents welcome.

2012-02-09T06:14:00.000Z

Event at St Peter's Free Church

2012-02-09T06:03:00.000Z

The Little Things

Naomi Breeze Production

A story about the people who care and how little things make the biggest difference

22nd February 2012, 1.30 pm

St. Peter's Free Church, St Peter Street

FREE OF CHARGE

Have you ever heard people say: "Don't get involved!"

or asked yourself: "Is this my business or is it their private matter?"

or told yourself: "It's probably nothing, I don't need to worry about them".

Come and see what Mary from Dundee does and who to call if you decide to "get involved" after all.

Age limit 15 years or over.

Download the full flyer here!

Blackness Library - consultation

2012-02-08T06:11:00.002Z

Last week, I mentioned that, at the Community Spirit Action Group meeting, there was a presentation by the City Council's Chief Architectural Services Officer on the proposed capital investment on Blackness Library.

As I indicated, what is proposed will provide proper disabled access to the meeting rooms on the first floor, which is to be welcomed. However, in my view it falls short of what is really required to create a proper community resource for the West End.

In addition to the proposals, we really need to see provision of a base for community groups, upgrading of the library and meeting rooms and ease of access to the facility in the evenings and weekends for local residents and community groups.

At present, the large meeting room upstairs can be exceptionally warm on summer days and its impossible, given its glass dome, to show electronic presentations. Furthermore, the area and the library downstairs would greatly benefit from sympathetic refurbishment that these proposals do not provide for.

I made the point at the Community Spirit meeting and direct to the Chief Executive that there was the need for a proper public display of the proposals and consultation events at the library and I am grateful that he has written to me to agree to this. Details of this are given in the poster below and I would urge local residents to go along, look at the proposals and give their views:

Late PM on 8th February - updated poster and download as City Council altered consultation times.

Thursday surgery

2012-02-08T05:59:00.000Z

As tomorrow is an in-service day at Dundee's schools, Blackness Primary School is not open so my ward surgery there cannot take place this week.

I can, however, be contacted at any time on Dundee 459378 or by e-mail at esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk.

Transition on Tour

2012-02-07T06:47:00.001Z

As a long-standing and active supporter of the Dundee Transition Town group, I am really pleased that "Transition on Tour" comes to Dundee tomorrow.

You can download a copy of the flyer about tomorrow's activities by clicking on the headline above or by going to http://tinyurl.com/transitiontour.

Wave 102 News - on the LGiU awards

2012-02-07T06:07:00.002Z

I was on Wave 102 news yesterday about the Local Government Information Unit Awards - click 'play' to listen:

WESHA meeting

2012-02-06T21:46:00.000Z

Earlier tonight, after my ward surgeries at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre, I attended the West End Sports and Heritage Association (WESHA) committee meeting at the West End Community Base in the Vine in Magdalen Yard Road.

WESHA is making great progress and we are planning an Open Event later in the spring for sporting and other community groups.

If you are interested in WESHA's work to improve sporting and environmental facilities in the West End, please contact us - wesha@frasermacpherson.org.uk.

Problems with parking at Ninewells Hospital

2012-02-06T06:53:00.000Z

As residents are aware, I have long campaigned for improvements in the parking situation at Ninewells Hospital, including campaigning against parking charges at the hospital (that Scottish Government, despite SNP election promises, has failed to abolish), difficulties getting parked in the Vinci Park-operated car parks in the hospital grounds, and the overspill of cars that impact upon residential streets in the West End Ward to the east and south of the hospital area.

Following a spate of further complaints from staff and visitors (both out-patients and friends and relatives visiting in-patients) about difficulties finding a parking space at the hospital, I wrote to NHS Tayside recently asking if Vinci Park and NHS Tayside are aware of these difficulties, monitor the growth of car usage within the hospital site and have considered future provision of further car parking capacity.

I have received a detailed response from NHS Tayside's Head of Site and Support Services at Ninewells Hospital as follows :

"In respect of the issues around car parking I can advise that we are indeed experiencing our annual/seasonal high pressure on parking at the hospital and we do keep a close eye on the varying demands by close monitoring with the car park contractor Vinci Park.

I have confidence that the changes we mad a few years ago to protect car parks closest to the hospital is continuing to provide the desired effect and by and large these car parks (car parks 5, 6 and 7) do indeed turn over on regular and frequent basis during the day due to the time restriction control (4 hours). Similar time controls in the disabled car park area also continues to allow ease of access for disabled drivers arriving at site throughout the day.

In terms of staff, we are continuing to review our site Travel Planning approach with efforts to encourage higher use of public Transport, given that we have an excellent bus terminus at our main entrance. Additionally we will experience an increase in the use of bicycle transport by staff as is normal once the winter period is over. Also at this time of year, there is a generally low uptake of staff annual leave but this increases from February onwards which will reduce the pressure experienced at this time of year.

In respect of Park & Ride, we do already work very closely with TACTRAN and also Dundee City Council and fully support the Park & Ride initiative that is being planned for the Dundee West location. We fully believe that this will greatly assist with the continuing parking pressures.

In terms of providing additional parking facilities on site, I'm sure you will appreciate that for a number of reasons this is not in our strategic plans. Likewise we understand that Dundee City Council (supported by TACTRAN) do not consider increased parking provision to be something that can be supported from a planning perspective.

Out with what is currently our Seasonal high pressure we will continue to closely monitor parking capacity and in reviewing our Travel Plan (with support from TACTRAN) we will continue to focus efforts to try and encourage staff in particular to make higher use of what is already a very good public transport network in and around Dundee along with further promotion of walking and cycling to work, which also has a health benefit for staff."

Hawkhill by-pass - safety barrier - at last!

2012-02-05T06:43:00.000Z

Two years ago when the Tesco Express opened at Hawkhill, at its east end, residents expressed concern about parking right outside the store on the busy by-pass. The police were also been in touch with me about the concerns.

The police's suggestion was for an extension to the barriers across the store entrance - a very sensible suggestion in my view.

So I asked the council for this and - through the Road Construction Consent process - the developer of the adjacent site (including the Tesco store and the Casino) was asked to provide the necessary safety barrier. Protracted negotiations over what I would consider a minor improvement have dragged on and, in short, the developer has been uncooperative in terms of providing the necessary barrier.

So full credit to the City Council's Head of Transportation who has broken the stalemate and advised me :

"To bring this matter to a conclusion I have agreed that Dundee City Council will complete these works as we do not wish to allow the unwelcome parking situation at Tesco to continue and will implement the barrier works in the coming weeks (before the end of March 2012)."

Dissatisfied with bank's response over Student Branch closure

2012-02-04T06:01:00.001Z

Following my writing to Royal Bank of Scotland last month following concerns about possible closure of the student branch at Balfour Street, I've expressed disappointment at a response I have received from the bank to reject calls to think again over the proposed closure of its branch at the university’s student union.

The response I have received from Jeffrey Hartley, RBoS’s Head of Group Customer Relations, confirms the branch is indeed earmarked for closure and it appears the Royal Bank is adamant that it will not reprieve the well-used branch.

In his letter Mr Hartley says :

“I acknowledge that any news about a branch closure will be unwelcome, but I can assure you that this is not a decision which we take lightly. As we look to rebuild a sustainable bank, we must ensure that our branches are open where and when our customers want to use them. Regrettably, the Dundee University branch is not used to the same extent as the other branches in the area, and the branch has seen a substantial decline in usage over the last few years.

RBS will maintain a presence in the local area, with our nearby branches on Dundee High Street and Perth Road continuing to offer a full banking service. Each of these branches if within one mile of the University. Additionally, customers can use our online, telephone and Smartphone banking services 24 hours a day.

Over the course of 2011, we came to an agreement with the Post Office which allows our customers to use their systems. Both personal and business customers can now use their debit cards to carry out balance enquiries and cash withdrawals at their local Post Office branch.”

There’s a certain sense of irony in that response from the bank as they suggest using local Post Offices. The Nethergate Post Office, very close to the university campus, was closed by Post Office Limited in 2008.

The decision to close the bank branch at the Student Union is really detrimental to the University of Dundee’s students and staff. Its been a hugely busy branch over the years and it comes on top of the decision to close the Ninewells Hospital branch and the Lochee branch last year.

Despite being largely in public ownership, the bank doesn’t seem much bothered about the public, the customers who rely on local branches. Coming in the wake of the furore over bankers’ bonuses, I don’t half feel the Royal Bank of Scotland, despite being over 80% in public ownership, is totally out of touch with public opinion.

I have written back to Royal Bank of Scotland criticising the decision and also seeking an assurance that the bank will at least keep the much-used RBoS ATM at the Student Union.

Our budget priorities : Pupils before Council Offices

2012-02-03T06:07:00.000Z

Cllr Helen Dick and I have now submitted to the City Council Liberal Democrat proposals to improve the council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets. We will have amendments to both the revenue budget and the capital budget at the Budget Meeting next Thursday but will look carefully at the ideas coming from the other political groups.

In the revenue budget, by using unallocated and not legally committed money in the City Development budget, we propose saving the much-needed visiting specialists in Music and PE in the city’s primary schools and also reversing the proposed cut of music instructors contained in the SNP administration’s proposals. The feedback we have had from constituents is that they see any proposal to cut music and PE instructors and specialists as highly detrimental to our schools and this should be stopped.

In the capital budget, we say “pupils before council offices” by cutting out over £5m of proposed expenditure on new depots and a headquarters for the council’s Environment Department and spending it instead on improvements in city primary schools. Since I made clear that we felt that, after spending over £35 million on the new Dundee House and other sums on other council offices, the council should be redirecting its resources to schools rather than yet more money being spent on offices, I have been inundated with local people telling me they agree with this stance.

The Liberal Democrat Capital Budget proposals would also see the establishment of a £100 000 unadopted roads budget and a £100 000 budget to improve car parking in council estates.

Some years ago, the City Council had a working party to look at improving car parking in council estates and then one ‘pilot’ new car park in part of Douglas that has proved a success. But it has done nothing further to make improvements in other areas. There are many estates in the city that would benefit from improved car parking and I have highlighted the Pentland area. There needs to be funding to move this forward.

On unadopted roads, there are a small number of really poor conditioned unadopted roads in the city. The council already has an unadopted pavements programme but does nothing about unadopted roads – an example is the appallingly badly conditioned Shaftesbury Place in the West End Ward and there are other examples across the city. In Shaftesbury Place, a resident broke his ankle falling into what I can only describe as a pitted road that resembles the surface of the moon. £100 000 won’t solve the problem right across the city but it would make a start and recognise there’s a real issue here.

Verdant Works and the High Mill - Dundee's industrial heritage

2012-02-02T20:41:00.000Z

This afternoon, along with a representative of Dundee Heritage Trust, I had a tour of the parts of Verdant Works and the High Mill that have not, as yet, been restored and, left in their current state, are under threat.

As the photos below indicate, these areas of the mill are a stunning representation of Dundee's industrial past. There has been interest shown by Historic Scotland and we discussed possible options. It will be a challenge to secure a positive solution but it is absolutely worth progressing. To see the neglect and decay of nearby Queen Victoria Works, it reminds us of the need to preserve our city's historical heritage.

Wave 102 news report on Riverside Drive walkway

2012-02-02T06:07:00.000Z

Following my recent article about pedestrian safety on Riverside Drive and proposals to improve the walkway between Tesco Riverside and the Rail Station, I spoke about the matter on Wave 102 news yesterday.

Community Spirit Action Group - February update

2012-02-01T22:50:00.000Z

Earlier tonight, I attended the first meeting of 2012 of Community Spirit Action Group, the residents' group covering Polepark, Pentland, Cleghorn, Ancrum, Tullideph and surrounding areas.

Matters covered included :

* A presentation by the City Council's Chief Architectural Services Officer on the proposed capital investment on Blackness Library. Although welcome in itself - it will provide proper disabled access to the meeting rooms on the first floor - in my view it falls short of what is really required to create a proper community resource for the West End. This would include provision of a base for community groups, upgrading of the library and meeting rooms and ease of access to the facility in the evenings and weekends for local residents and community groups.

I have specifically requested a proper public consultation with the local community on the proposal, including a display and community engagement event at the library.

* There was thereafter an excellent presentation by Mark Chalmers of Sustrans about the Street Design Project in Kirkcaldy that has provided a low-cost, great value project that is giving the local community traffic and community safety improvements, dropped kerbing, landscaping and improved lighting and pathways. I have been in touch with Sustrans about how areas like Ancrum and Pentland can benefit from this sort of initiative.

* I updated the group on two projects I have proposed to the Community Payback Scheme to benefit the local area - upgrading the Blyth Street seating area (see right) and repairing the fallen fencing in Glenagnes Gardens.

2012 Dundee Women's Festival

2012-02-01T06:56:00.000Z

Dundee Women's Festival, celebrating women with events, film, arts, drama and workshops - takes place from 28th February until 17th March. As in past years, there will be a great programme of activities.

You can download full details at http://tinyurl.com/dundeewomensfestival.

Local Government Information Unit Awards 2012

2012-01-31T20:40:00.000Z

I was delighted to learn today that I have been shortlisted in the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) Awards 2012 in the "Online Councillor of the Year" category! I was particularly honoured as I am the only councillor from a Scottish local authority shortlisted in any of the 11 categories.

LGiU advised me :

"I am pleased to inform you that you have been shortlisted for an award at the 2012 LGiU and CCLA C’llr Achievement Awards.

Now in their third year, the C’llr Achievement Awards are established as the only national ceremony to recognise and reward the fantastic work of councillors from across the political spectrum.

There are 11 different awards on offer in 2012, and the shortlists for each category are now available on the LGiU blog.

The winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony in Westminster City Hall on 27^th February, 2012. Several high profile speakers are expected to attend, including Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles (confirmed). An official invitation to the ceremony will be emailed to you later this week.

Congratulations on being shortlisted."

I am very grateful for being nominated and shortlisted.

Riverside Drive Walkway - an update

2012-01-31T07:01:00.000Z

Further to my article earlier this month about concerns from residents about the state of the walkway from the railway station to Tesco Riverside and the fact that it is claustrophobic given the concrete barriers that Network Rail has insisted upon being in place as the adjacent roadway runs in parallel to the rail station concourse, I have now received the following useful update from the City Council's Director of City Development:

"We have now met with Network Rail and they have agreed that we can extend the Riverside layby to both the east and the west. Network Rail were concerned with the potential for accidental collision to their structure particularly at the new enlarged west access. We have mitigated their concerns by proposing 'Trief' safety kerbs at the entrance together with some protective bollards.

I have attached a copy of our plan showing our proposals. The remaining area from our proposed layby to Tesco roundabout has now had shrubs cut back providing much improved visibility and our proposals have reduced the length of high concrete containment barrier by 40% which will dramatically increase vehicular / pedestrian activity at the layby. Together these proposals should improve the security and visual perception of the area."

I view this as positive progress towards removing the claustrophobic nature of the walkway. The plans referred to above can be downloaded at http://tinyurl.com/riversidewalkway.

Jim Opray

2012-01-30T22:18:00.000Z

I was very saddened to learn of the death of Jim Opray, former councillor for Ancrum Ward back in the 1980s and my Conservative opponent when I was first elected to the City Council at the Tay Bridges Ward by-election in 2001.

Jim was an absolute gentleman who worked for the local community in so many ways. In addition to being a former District Councillor, he was a board member at Tayside Recyclers and a volunteer at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden.

Jim made a real contribution to the community and will be sadly missed and long remembered.

Good news on the Roseangle Car Park

2012-01-30T06:45:00.001Z

I have welcomed feedback that the City Council will give priority to my request to upgrade the Roseangle Car Park early in the new financial year 2012/13.

I have been asking the council for some time to resurface the car park - see its condition - right. It is in a really poor state with loads of bad potholes and very worn parking bay lining. The car park is very well-used in an area where finding a parking space is often difficult. Last year I requested resurfacing only to be told there was no money for it in this year’s budget.

I therefore requested that the City Development Department Director give priority to the car park early in the 2012/13 financial year when he has a refreshed budget and am pleased to say the response looks promising.

The Director of City Development has advised me :

“I have discussed this with the Head of Transportation and he agrees that the resurfacing will be prioritised early next Financial Year. This is conditional on the car parking CFCR budget remaining at the same level as Financial Year 2011/12 and this will only be confirmed at the budget setting meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.”

Hopefully therefore we will see this confirmed at the budget meeting in early February. Local residents will greatly welcome the resurfacing of this badly surfaced car park.

On Wave 102 news

2012-01-29T07:15:00.001Z

I am on Wave 102 news this morning about my call to increase funding for improvements across 7 schools in the city including Ancrum Road and Blackness Primary Schools. Click 'play' to listen :

Getting things done ... Magdalen Green fencing

2012-01-29T06:31:00.000Z

Some years ago, at my request and those of local residents, the City Council erected some fencing at the east end of the Green, near to the Riverside Approach/Magdalen Yard Road junction, to stop a minority of irresponsible drivers from parking on the Green edge and damaging the grass.

The fencing has worked pretty well, but some of it has fallen - see right - so at the request of residents and the Friends of Magdalen Green I have asked the council's Environment Department to have it sorted.

The Department's Head of Environmental Management has kindly agreed to get the fencing re-erected.

Stunning photograph!

2012-01-28T20:40:00.001Z

With thanks to my good friend and Chair of Friends of Magdalen Green, Dr Angela Mehlert, here's a stunning photo she recently took of the Tay Rail Bridge :

Latest update from Friends of Wighton ...

2012-01-28T06:45:00.000Z

Ann Heymann

On Wednesday 1st February, the celebrated harpist Ann Heymann will be in Dundee for a special concert and workshop of ancient and historical Scottish and Irish harp music.

Ann is the world's best known and most highly regarded historical Gaelic harp player. Based in Minnesota, USA, this is her first visit to Scotland for many years and the Friends of Wighton are delighted that she will be visiting Dundee to teach and perform in the Wighton Centre, upstairs in Dundee Central Library.

Ann will perform a lunchtime concert on Wednesday 1st February from 1.15pm to 1.45pm. The concert will be performed on a beautiful, craftsman- made replica of the medieval Scottish "Lamont" harp with strings of brass, silver and solid gold wire, and will feature music from medieval times through to the 18th century traditions. Since the 1st of February is St Bride's or St. Bridget's day, Ann will also perform medieval music associated with this ancient Celtic saint. Admission to the concert is free.

After the concert, from 2pm, she will present a demonstration and masterclass, which provides a chance for any harpists to bring their instruments and get some inspiring tuition from one of the world's masters; this is also a chance for anyone interested in the old Gaelic traditions to stay in the audience and watch the workshop. Admission to this part of the event is £10 for participating harpists, and £5 for audience members.

A master in the performance and traditions of the Gaelic harp, Ann Heymann continues to spearhead the instrument's revival, recording, performing and teaching around the world. Recent recordings include the critically acclaimed "Cruit go nOr - Harp of Gold" and "Queen of Harps". Her books include the seminal tutor for the old Gaelic harp traditions, "Secrets of the Gaelic Harp" as well as a groundbreaking method book "Coupled Hands for Harpers".

For more information about Ann Heymann including sound clips, photos and biographies please visit http://www.annheymann.com

For more information about the Friends of Wighton and their concert series, please visit http://www.friendsofwighton.com

For more details of these events please call 07792 336804 or email secretary@friendsofwighton.com

Our schools deserve better than a Sixty Minute Makeover

2012-01-27T07:12:00.000Z

I have today highlighted my concerns about aspects of the proposed Dundee City Council Capital Budget and urged that there be a cross-party discussion about ways to improve the proposals to benefit the city’s schools.

There’s much to welcome in the draft capital budget and in particular the proposal to build new primary schools in Menzieshill and Coldside is good news, especially given the state of some existing school buildings. The total of £20m investment in these two areas will not only bring new primary schools but also community facilities and given the funding level for Menzieshill, presumably new nursery facilities may be possible there too.

However, it is over capital expenditure for other primary schools identified for improvement where I am critical of what is being proposed as the funding is simply inadequate and must be increased. Seven other schools across Dundee have been identified, including Blackness and Ancrum Road Primary Schools that serve large parts of the West End Ward.

The recognition of the need to improve facilities at these seven schools is welcome but the amount of funding at only £250 000 per school and that is simply not enough funding to make the sort of modernisation that these seven schools deserve. It should be remembered that a new-build primary school costs in the order of £9-10 million. These seven primary schools deserve more than a sixty minute makeover.

I have a specific proposal to make the improvements at Glebelands, Clepington, St Mary’s, Longhaugh, Dens Road, Ancrum Road and Blackness Primary Schools a whole lot better by allocating them £1 million each over the lifetime of the next Capital Plan – four times the proposed funding.

£1m per school is affordable if we consign to the bin another proposed set of expenditure on new headquarters and depots for the Environment Department. The council has already spent around £35 million on Dundee House and more expenditure on other council offices. It is about time to focus on our schools and, by abandoning ideas of further council department headquarters and by focussing on schools, we can increase expenditure on at Glebelands, Clepington, St Mary’s, Longhaugh, Dens Road, Ancrum Road and Blackness Primary Schools to £1 million for each school.

No business case has been brought before a city council committee to make a case for more money being spent on council headquarters buildings. It would be better spent on our schools.

Getting things done ... Peddie Street

2012-01-26T06:47:00.000Z

Towards the end of last year, I was pleased to report the introduction of a trial for Eurobins at the north end of Peddie Street, to replace the wheelie bin collection that was not working and that residents had asked for a re-think about.

The trial has worked well and feedback from residents has been very positive but, as a number of residents have pointed out, the lack of concrete blocks to weigh down the Eurobins leaves the possibility of them being insecure - see right. Blocks are used at other locations to keep Eurobins securely in place.

The City Council has assured me that the bins will be properly weighted down as soon as possible and has also given a commitment to re-site the bin at the east end of Abbotsford Place to improve parking.

TayScreen is 10!

2012-01-26T06:28:00.001Z

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a very enjoyable event at Dundee Contemporary Arts as part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of TayScreen that has done so much good work to promote Fife and Tayside for media development and film and TV production, post-production and animation.

My involvement with TayScreen stems from our joint interest in promoting local television for Dundee, wider Tayside and North Fife, a project now with great potential.

Keith Partridge (right), a Fife-based adventure cameraman, gave a superb talk with dramatic film footage of some of his work.

In his seminar session, Keith talked about adventure camera work and what it is like to undertake production in remote and dangerous places. His presentation was hugely impressive and you can find out more about Keith's work at www.adventurecamera.co.uk.

Kathleen Smith

2012-01-25T19:21:00.001Z

It is with great sadness that I learned yesterday of the death of Kathleen Smith, Honorary President of Dundee Liberal Democrat Association. Kathleen was 89 and passed away just a few weeks after the death of her husband of 63 years, Jack.

Kathleen and Jack were both leading members of Dundee West Liberal Association and thereafter Dundee Liberal Democrats over many years. They helped keep the Liberal cause going in the difficult days of the 1950s and 1960s and, as a young election agent in 1984, I remember Kathleen's kindness in giving a generous donation towards the election of Dundee's first Liberal District Councillor.

Kathleen was a parliamentary candidate in Perth and East Perthshire at the February 1974 general election and also at the Tayside Regional Council election the same year in the then Central/Riverside Division, which covers much of my current West End Ward area. In the Regional Council election she ran a spirited campaign and laid the foundations of future electoral success. Both Kathleen and Jack were very supportive of my election campaigns in the West End, for which I will always be extremely grateful.

In addition to her highly successful role as Rector's Assessor at the University of Dundee during the rectorships of Sir Clement Freud and Lord Mackie of Benshie (1974-83), Kathleen was a long-standing elder of Meadowside St Paul's Church.

My thoughts are with Kathleen's family at this sad time.

Presentation to Blackness Primary School pupil

2012-01-25T06:16:00.000Z

Yesterday, Frances Tait, Chair of the Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, and I had the pleasure of presenting prizes to Blackness Primary School pupil Gary Scott, age 10, winner of the West End Christmas Week children's window spotting competition.

Gary correctly spotted where the letters of C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S were located in Perth Road shops and wins a year's Family Membership of the Botanic Garden and a book token.

On Wave 102 news ...

2012-01-25T06:04:00.000Z

I was on the Wave 102 news yesterday speaking about my concerns over a likely hike in street lighting costs - click 'play' to listen:

Getting things done ... Benvie Steps

2012-01-24T06:27:00.000Z

Residents have contacted me regarding the damaged fencing art the Benvie Steps that lead from Lochee Road to Benvie Road - see right. Residents are concerned about the access to the former garage site and also to an adjacent tenement's back garden

I contacted the City Council about this and the City Engineer has advised :

"An order has been raised for the repair of two linear metres of fence on the east side at the top of the Benvie Road steps.

The work has yet to be programmed but the Road Maintenance Partnership will update you once this information becomes available."

Perth Road pavement improvements

2012-01-24T06:09:00.000Z

It was good to see the Perth Road pavement improvements work start yesterday that will see resurfacing on the south side between Step Row and Shepherd's Loan in the shopping area - see right.

I spoke with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership yesterday about issues raised by local shops. I am grateful to the Roads Maintenance Partnership for the very prompt response to these matters.

Tonight's City Council meetings

2012-01-23T22:24:00.000Z

Tonight, after my weekly surgeries at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre, I attended City Council committee meetings at which:

* At the Education Committee, I welcomed the recommendation not to progress a 33 period model in Dundee's secondary schools. I also queried why the council did not have the foresight to build the new Kingspark School large enough to accommodate the proposed additional four classrooms, now being proposed at a cost of an additional £1.1 million. Of course, if the school needs the additional rooms, they must be provided, but it is a real pity that a school that opened as recently as August 2010 is already requiring expansion. It would have been less expensive to build the bigger school in the first place.

* At Policy and Resources Committee, I criticised the waste of public money and loss of accountability in the SNP's centralisation of police and fire services. I also queried the robustness of land sales estimates in the five year Housing Capital Budget, but recognised the efforts made by the department to scale down likely land receipts in the current financial climate. For the first time in a very long time, the SNP administration proposed sending no councillors to a conference at a cost to the council tax payer. My goodness - anyone might have thought there was an election in the air. The rest of us have opposed such expenditure for years!

* At the Development Management Committee, I spoke in favour of Section 75 agreements to limit Houses in Multiple Occupation. The report before committee was the latest episode in a long running saga about properties in Larch Street.

Getting things done ... Pennycook Car Park

2012-01-23T06:40:00.001Z

Following complaints from residents about broken fencing at the Pennycook Lane Car Park - see right - I have taken up the matter with the City Council's City Development Department and requested repairs.

I have been assured that an order has been placed with Tayside Contracts to have this repaired.

Getting things done ... Baxter Street

2012-01-22T07:25:00.000Z

I recently received complaints that work to tidy up the grassed and tree lined area in Baxter Street was "overkill" with damage to the trees. The area is pictured - right.

I took up the matter with the City Council which has advised me that it will improve the site with new shrubbery in the Spring. That is to be welcomed.

Concern over increase in street lighting electricity costs

2012-01-21T06:29:00.000Z

Over the past few days, I have heard from colleagues on other councils across Scotland that the electricity companies are considering increasing very significantly the cost to councils of street lighting. Although it has yet to be finalised, I understand that Scottish & Southern Energy is looking at increasing its Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges by approx 2.5pkWhr from 1.7p to 4.3p for unmetered customers.

The City Council’s Street Lighting Partnership tells me that this would add approximately £280 000 to Dundee City Council’s Electricity Bill.

I have great concerns about an increase of this magnitude – it is extremely high in relation to real inflation and comes at a time when the City Council like other local authorities is trying to finalise its budget for 2012/13. Such an increase has not been factored into the budget and I have therefore been in touch with the Director of Finance who advises :

“The latest proposed development which is being challenged has not yet been implemented or included in the Provisional Revenue Budget for 2012/13.

We propose to tackle this in 3 ways:

1. We are looking at possible spend to save initiatives to reduce our electricity burden on street lighting.

2. I am taking the latest proposals up with Procurement specialists to see if there is anything that can be done to secure a contract for this element of street lighting.

3. We do have a provision for increased energy costs of £603k in the Provisional Revenue Budget for 2012/13 along with £650k for general contingencies. At present we do not know what the actual impact of energy price increases will be but this is our best estimate.”

Speaking as the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the City Council, my own comment is that it is very difficult to see any justification for this level of increase in charges coming at a time of great pressure on council budgets. DUoS is not part of the National Procurement Scotland Contract which only deals with the Raw Energy Element.

I think there is also an issue for the regulator OFGEM in that Scottish & Southern DUoS charges for unmetered Customers is by far the highest of any of the other 12 UK Distribution Companies thereby penalising local authorities in the North and North East of Scotland.

Friends of Magdalen Green Update

2012-01-20T21:37:00.000Z

Last night, I was again minute-taker at the latest Friends of Magdalen Green committee meeting.

There was good news to report - the Friends' charity Christmas cards sold out during the festive season. We discussed our first 2012 members' newsletter - this will cover our activities during last year - fundraising, attending community events, our success with new BBQ tables on the Green and campaigning for other improvements on the Green - and our plans for the forthcoming year.

Our forthcoming AGM in May was also discussed. Taking place in May, this will feature a presentation on the history of Dundee's West End.

For more information about our activities, contact us at friendsmagdalengreen@yahoo.co.uk.

Getting things done ... Blackness Road

2012-01-20T07:27:00.000Z

I have received concerns from local residents that water is leaking from the site of the former Parkview School on Blackness Road and it is resulting in colder days of a lot of ice across the pavement. See right.

This is an obvious trip hazard, particularly for pedestrians walking along the pavement in the dark, and I have therefore asked the City Council to see what can be done to resolve the problem.

Sunday event at Balgay Hill

2012-01-19T07:09:00.001Z

This Sunday (22nd January) sees a Conservation Volunteering Day, taking place on Balgay Hill. It takes place between 1pm and 3pm - all welcome - meet up at the Mills Observatory at 1pm.

The event is being run by the City Council's Countryside Ranger Service and is a way of helping to improve Balgay Park for the benefit of local people and wildlife. Please have warm clothing and sturdy footwear.

There are complimentary refreshments at around 3pm for all volunteers.

More on West End bank branch closure

2012-01-18T22:29:00.000Z

Further to recent items on this blog, the Courier and on Radio Tay, I gave an update on my concerns about the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland University of Dundee Branch on Wave 102 today:

Tuesday activities

2012-01-18T06:51:00.000Z

Yesterday :

* I attended the latest meeting of the West End Schools' Project Board, the group overseeing the construction of the new facilities for Park Place Primary School, St Joseph's Primary School and Park Place Nursery School, currently being built on the former Logie Secondary School site. It was good to hear of progress with the project and the autumn 2012 opening date on course.

* Thereafter, I attended the latest committee meeting of the Sinderins and Pennycook Courts Residents' Association, taking place at Pennycook Court. We discussed various issues including progress with the new seating and environment improvements in Pennycook Lane, roads and pavements issues and bin collection.

* Yesterday evening, I took part in the latest West End Sports and Heritage Association (WESHA) committee meeting. WESHA is making good progress in terms of sporting improvements for the West End including planned improvements to the Riverside sports' changing rooms.

Latest from Friends of Wighton

2012-01-17T08:35:00.000Z

Concertinas, melodeons, accordions and all kinds of free reed instruments will be displayed and demonstrated this Saturday morning in Dundee's Wighton Centre, upstairs in the Central Library. See right!

The event is one of the Friends of Wighton's popular cappuccino concerts. With complimentary coffee and newspapers served from 10.30am, the music lasts from 11am to 12 noon. Admission is £5.

Traditional musicians John Bagnall & Paul Blackburn have been playing traditional music together for over 15 years, and in this concert their expertise will be put to good use in explaining and demonstrating the various different kinds of squeezeboxes and their place in Scottish traditional music. They will be playing some popular tunes of the 18th and 19th centuries from the Wighton Collection and elsewhere. Also, they will be showing off some rare historical recordings of notable players from the past.

This concert will be ideal for anyone interested in traditional music who would like to explore some more unusal aspects of the tradition.

The Friends of Wighton organises a series of events in the Library in Dundee. Other forthcoming dates are :

Wed 1st February at 1.15pm - Ann Heymann, Gaelic harp

Saturday 18th February at 10.30am - Karen Hannah & Allan Small, fiddle

For more info please go to www.friendsofwighton.com.

Willie Rennie visits Dundee College

2012-01-17T06:45:00.001Z

Willie and me at Dundee College yesterday

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie MSP was in Dundee yesterday to visit Dundee College with me, touring the new Gardyne Campus and also discussing college funding cuts with Principal Christina Potter, Depute Principal Grant Ritchie and Assistant Principal Leslie Dick.

Speaking after the meeting, Willie said:

“It was great to visit Dundee College today with local Liberal Democrat Councillor Fraser Macpherson.

“Dundee College helps people from a range of backgrounds to get up and on in the world with new skills and knowledge. Improving the life chances of thousands of people of all ages is something we should support and nourish.

“That’s why it makes no sense to cut £40 million from college funds next year which could mean fewer places students and teaching posts might have to go.

“The Scottish Government has the money available to fill this gap as a result of consequentials from Westminster. So the SNP should get the year of to a good start and reverse this cut.

“This would support colleges like Dundee and the great work it does with students and communities.”

What was obvious from yesterday's meeting is that the new Gardyne Campus facilities are superb but for the college to grow and provide the educational benefits for Dundee students, it is vital that there is clarity from Scottish Government about funding for Dundee College and other further education colleges across Scotland.

The recent announcement from the Education Secretary still leaves colleges across Scotland in the dark about their individual funding allocations and, as a result, planning for next year has been made extremely difficult.

What is obvious is that last year’s 10.4% cut is to be followed by a cut of up to 8.5% next year and this has a hugely detrimental consequence for college places, courses and staff jobs. Our colleges are vital to the future of the Scottish economy.

On Radio Tay news

2012-01-16T18:26:00.000Z

I was on Radio Tay news today on the subject of the proposed closure of the Balfour Street Branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland on the University of Dundee campus :

Campaigning against West End bank closure

2012-01-16T07:20:00.000Z

With the new University of Dundee semester starting today, I have slammed the decision by the Royal Bank of Scotland to close its branch at the university’s student union and have written to the Royal Bank’s Chief Executive Stephen Hester criticising the decision and asking for a review of the decision before it goes ahead. It is understood that the Royal Bank is planning to close the branch in March or April.

The decision to close the branch at the Student Union is really detrimental to the University of Dundee’s students and staff. Its been a hugely busy branch over the years – I first used it myself as a student in the early 1980s – and it is known to have had the busiest cash point in the whole of Scotland at a time. I have therefore written to the bank’s Chief Executive urging him to reconsider the decision.

This closure decision comes on top of the decision to close the Ninewells Hospital branch in the West End Ward last year. The loss of the branch at Ninewells Hospital was a blow. In addition, many residents of the ward in the Ancrum/Pentland/Tullideph area miss the Lochee branch that was also shut last year. Despite being largely in public ownership, the bank doesn’t seem much bothered about the public, the customers who rely on local branches.

There are nearly 18 000 students at the university in addition to staff who use the bank branch in Balfour Street on the campus. It makes no commercial sense to close it.

River Crescent residents' get-together!

2012-01-16T06:58:00.000Z

River Crescent - just south of Perth Road

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending what has become a very pleasant annual fixture when the residents of River Crescent get together for a coffee and cake at the rather superb cafe at Dundee Botanic Garden, near to River Crescent itself.

It was an extremely pleasant afternoon and good to chat with local residents about a variety of local issues. River Crescent has a very active and hard-working residents' association who do really good work for the local neighbourhood.

Beautiful Sunday morning at Balgay Park

2012-01-15T19:07:00.000Z

A cold but beautiful Sunday morning today at Balgay Park :

Getting things done ... Perth Road water leak

2012-01-15T07:08:00.000Z

Opposite Blackness Library on Perth Road, there has been a very noticeable water leak over the past few days. See photo - right. A number of residents have contacted me about it.

Scottish Water's Community Manager has advised me :

"I can confirm we attended on 10 January and are arranging to repair a faulty valve located outside 336 Perth Road. My colleague will confirm on Monday a date for the repair and I will let you know."

And ... Sunday Song

2012-01-15T05:20:00.000Z

Adele - vocalist of a generation:

Getting things done ... Kelso Steps

2012-01-14T06:20:00.000Z

Towards the end of last week, I received residents' complaints about the amount of rubbish lying about the Kelso Steps (see right) that run up from Blackness Road to Kelso Street and are well-used by local residents and visitors to Royal Victoria Hospital.

I contacted the City Council's Environment Department asking for action and was impressed with the very swift response that saw the steps fully swept and tidied yesterday.

Saturday Song ...

2012-01-14T06:05:00.000Z

My friend and colleague Jim Tolson, formerly MSP for Dunfermline and West Fife, recently mentioned on Facebook that the No 1 hit in the week he was born (a couple of years after me!) was Jackie Trent's "Where are you now?"

In my opinion, its one of the best hits of the Sixties - judge for yourself :

TACTRAN newsletter for the New Year

2012-01-13T07:05:00.000Z

With the permission of TACTRAN, the Tayside and Central Scotland regional transport partnership, I am today featuring the latest TACTRAN newsletter New Year 2012 edition.

This covers a number of local transport issues and in particular the park and ride proposals for the west of the city.

You can download the newsletter by clicking on the headline above or by going to http://tinyurl.com/tactran-jan12.

On Wave 102 news ...

2012-01-12T14:27:00.001Z

I was on the Wave 102 news today regarding the kite flying issue near Dundee Airport I highlighted recently:

Wednesday activities

2012-01-12T13:04:00.000Z

Yesterday, in addition to assisting with a number of constituent queries and problems, I also attended the latest meeting of the City Council's Local Economy Monitoring Group.

This is a useful regular forum at which the four party group leaders on the council, the City Council Chief Executive, other senior officers and representatives from Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce discuss the local economy, initiatives to improve the employment situation in the city and other economic initiatives. At yesterday's meeting, representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses also joined the group - a welcome development.

Yesterday's discussions included progress with the renewables sector, the waterfront and V&A at Dundee, the rail station planned improvements and economic research. Although the Dundee economy - like that across the country - has been going through challenging times, there is much positive activity locally and real commitment to drive forward economic growth for our city.

Dundee volunteering and employability courses

2012-01-11T07:56:00.000Z

Here's details of a couple of courses currently on offer :

Community Council meeting

2012-01-10T23:02:00.000Z

Tonight's West End Community Council saw a very interesting presentation from Grant Simmons, Regional Manager of the Food Train Project about progress with this excellent initiative the City Council is supporting to assist older people in Dundee with their shopping needs.

Last month, I updated residents about the project and this evening Grant advised that the first shopping deliveries to local people will take place during the week commencing 23rd January.

Grant gave assurances that local shops will be included as well as supermarkets in providing the goods and this was reassuring, given the local shops in the West End that provide excellent produce at competitive prices.

Volunteers required in the following roles:

· In store shoppers -To work in a specific supermarket, picking groceries and loading them into the customers shopping boxes

· Helpers - To help check the shopping through the check-out and loading it onto the van. You will then go around our customers

delivering and unloading their shopping

· Drivers - Driving the company van, you will collect the shopping boxes from the supermarket and deliver to our customers,

unloading the shopping and putting it away for them if required

· Office assistance / promotion - Support to the office, answering phones, taking customers shopping requests and helping to keep

the office running smoothly

For more information please contact:

Grant Simmons

Email: dundee@thefoodtrain.co.uk

Office D, Market Mews, Market Street Dundee DD1 3LA

West End Community Council update for January

2012-01-10T06:51:00.001Z

I have today launched my update to the January meeting of West End Community Council that takes place tonight at 7pm at Logie St John's (Cross) Chruch Hall in Shaftesbury Terrace - all residents welcome.

The update covers the following issues :

Kite Flying Concern near Dundee Airport

Walkway on Riverside Drive

Former McCheyne Memorial Church

Park and Ride Proposals – an update

On the kite flying concern, the Dundee Airport Manager has contacted me recently about his concerns regarding the flying of kites in the flight path near to the airport.

The number of incidents is low but there was an incident at the beginning of December involving a kite surfer that was a source of some concern to the airport. Derrick Lang, the airport manager, is keen that the concern is highlighted to emphasise the point that kites should not be flown near the airport.

He adds, “We have reviewed the signage in the east side of the area and is adequate but we have no signage at the nature park area, which would be an obvious choice for someone flying a kite.”

I have therefore raised the signage matter with the City Council. Safety in the vicinity of the airport is vital.

You can download the update by clicking on the headline above or by going to http://tinyurl.com/weccJan2012.

Tonight's City Council committee meetings

2012-01-09T22:20:00.000Z

Following my weekly surgeries at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre, I participated in tonight's City Council committee meetings.

At the Environment Committee, I welcomed a further extension of recycling facilities but emphasised the need to provide additional recycling facilities (such as plastics and aluminium cans) at neighbourhood recycling centres.

At the Housing Committee, I sought assurances that the City Council will obtain a District Valuer's valuation on 24 council houses in Clepington that it intends to sell off on the open market before marketing them and not sell them below that valuation.

The Housing Department wishes to sell them off because they "do not meet the expectations of current applicants for housing" but has actually not attempted to let them out following a lease with Dundee College as student accommodation coming to an end.

If the council wishes to sell them off, it owes it to our council house rentpayers to get best value from such a sale and I am grateful to the Chief Executive of the City Council who agreed to my request for a proper valuation by the District Valuer and that the properties should not be sold for less than that professional valuation.

At Policy and Resources Committee, I pointed out how poor the SNP Government's grant allocation to Dundee City Council will be for 2012/13 - a cash cut of £1.416 over the 2011/12 settlement at a time when other authorities have seen a cash increase. This is a very disappointing financial settlement for the city and will impact on service provision in Dundee during the forthcoming year.

Friends of Wighton - first of the 2012 events

2012-01-09T07:12:00.000Z

Barbara Dymock

Friends of Wighton's first Lunchtime Recital of 2012 takes place at the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Dundee on Wednesday 11th January when the guests are Barbara Dymock and Friends.

Barbara, one of Scotland's finest and most distinctive singers, will be joined by flute-player Kenny Hadden, guitarist Chris Marra and fiddler Karen Hannah to present some very tasty arrangements of traditional and contemporary Scottish songs.

Admission is free (donations are welcome!) - recital starts at 1.15pm, lasting around 30 minutes.

Barbara and the Band will be appearing at Glasgow's City Halls on Friday 3rd February as part of the Celtic Connections Festival.

Christmas in Australia

2012-01-09T07:00:00.001Z

Janet and I spent Christmas and the New Year in Australia visiting our younger son Greg and our daughter in law Karen, who live in a very sunny Melbourne. It was a super holiday and great to see Karen and Greg - and - what's more - we had a White Christmas, with a few minutes of torrential hail on the afternoon of Christmas Day.

With the wonders of Broadband, keeping up to date with constituent enquiries was no problem although I am sure residents were wondering why I appeared to be sending e-mails at 2am!

Here's a few photos - and a video of the Koalas of Phillip Island :

In Dubai just before Christmas

In Federation Square, Melbourne

At Bondi Beach

Janet and me in Sydney

Sydney Opera House

This month's West End Community Council meeting

2012-01-08T07:00:00.000Z

Here's details of this Tuesday's West End Community Council meeting :

Local TV for Dundee? An update ...

2012-01-07T06:33:00.001Z

I have taken a close interest in the possibility of local television for Dundee, Tayside and North Fife and it was therefore good to see the positive news for Dundee following the recent announcement of areas to be licensed for local TV services.

News on national TV and in the national press on the day of the announcement concentrated on only Edinburgh and Glasgow. There was a general failure to report that there are, in fact, two lists of locations and the second of these lists includes the location identified as Dundee. This is served by the Angus transmitter which also serves, Angus, north Fife and southern Perth and Kinross.

So, from a position some years ago where Scotland was not ‘on the radar’ for local TV, extensive lobbying, including that by the Fife TayConsortium, has led to the current proposals for local TV services, not just in Edinburgh and Glasgow but also in four further areas including Dundee/Fife/Tayside. Anyone wishing to operate a licence for locations on the second must do so with a local operator. This means potential local TV services for the region as whole, particularly, as proposed by the Fife Tay Consortium, through a combined broadcast and internet services.

The Fife Tay Local TV Consortium is a collaboration between regional organisations in Fife and Tayside including Radio Tay, Dundee College, the University of Dundee and Perthshireonline.tv. It is chaired by leading lawyer, Professor Stewart Brymer and the business plan is being developed by Martin Cherry of Bannerman Technology.

It is coordinated by FifeScreen and TayScreen the screen office for the councils of Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross. There is already some pilot work that can be seen at FifeTay.Tv - and further pilot development is planned for early 2012.

The current Ofcom consultation can be seen at the following link and the deadline is 19^th March 2012. It is an opportunity to provide input on the areas currently selected and the proposed process. You can read more at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/local-tv/.

I am writing to Ofcom in support of local TV services for Dundee in particular, and the Fife Tayside area in general. Given the current stage of the local TV licensing consultation, there is a major opportunity to influence the process going forward and it is essential to build on what has been achieved so far. I would encourage all with an interest to write to Ofcom highlighting their support for local TV for Dundee.

Walkway on Riverside Drive

2012-01-06T07:09:00.000Z

I have received concerns from residents about the state of the walkway from the railway station to Tesco Riverside, much of which is claustrophobic given the concrete barriers that Network Rail insist upon being in place as the adjacent roadway runs in parallel to the rail station concourse.

In November, the Director of City Development advised me that :

"We currently have plans with Network Rail to extend the Riverside layby as part of the rail station refurbishment/upgrade. This will require the removal of a section of the containment barrier. We have proposed the barrier be removed, or reduced to the minimum possible requirement. If successful, we are considering if we could extend this approach as far as the Tesco roundabout (subject to available funding).

In addition, to improve our position with regards to safety, (we are) assessing the potential to reduce the speed limit from the Tesco goods entrance to Discovery Point to 30mph (currently 40mph)."

City Council officials are meeting with Network Rail on this matter and I have asked to be kept updated on developments.

Dundee bus fares increases

2012-01-05T06:32:00.000Z

Dundee bus services operated by National Express Dundee see fares increases from Sunday (8th January) and I have been in contact with the Managing Director of National Express Dundee about this.

Specifically, in the new fares structure, although the cost of weekly tickets (both adult and child) has been frozen, and student fares will not increase during the current academic year, which is welcome, the cost of 4-weekly and annual passes increases, including the cheapest method - direct debit - does increase, along with single fare charges. So, for example, a 4-weekly direct debit pass increases in cost from £37 to £39 (its non-direct debit equivalent increases in cost from £41 to £43).

I have suggested to National Express Dundee that the increases in 4-weekly and annual pass costs make the purchase of these (particularly by Direct Debit) less attractive and an incentive to buy these by freezing charges should be considered along with the welcome freeze in weekly pass charges.

The full detail of the new fares structure can be downloaded by clicking on the headline above or by going to http://tinyurl.com/nxdundeefares.

Polling stations in the West End

2012-01-04T06:50:00.000Z

Arising out of the recent consultation exercise, there have been some changes to polling stations in the West End (primarily in the east of the area) and the City Council has recently published a new map showing these.

The boundaries of polling districts WBD, WBJ and WAJ have been re-aligned. Electors in WBD (north of Hawkhill) who have previously voted at Park Place Primary will vote at the Al-Maktoum College in future, as will electors in the southern section of WBJ (Brewery Lane etc) who previously voted at the Mitchell Street Centre.

You can download the map by clicking on the headline above or by going to http://tinyurl.com/wardmap2012.

There will be a further change to polling stations after autumn of this year when the current Park Place Primary School moves to its new building. I have stressed to the City Council that there is a need to find a site for a new polling station within the Nethergate/South Tay Street/West Port and surrounding area that is convenient to residents in the area.

Adult learning newsletter

2012-01-03T07:12:00.000Z

The City Council has recently published its adult community learning newsletter for the first part of 2012.

This includes details of some courses based at the Mitchell Street Centre such as Options and Choices (on career development, including updating your CV and interview skills) and Just the Job (for people whose second language is English and who are looking to improve their employment prospects).

You can download the newsletter by clicking on the headline above or by going to http://tinyurl.com/learningjan2012.

The future of the former McCheyne Memorial Church

2012-01-02T07:00:00.002Z

Further to my article last month about the falling masonry concern at the former McCheyne Memorial Church at the Perth Road/Shepherd's Loan junction, I have been in contact with council planning officers regarding this.

There has been a degree of activity at the church by representatives of the owner (who is London-based) and the City Council's Conservation Officer has updated me as follows:

"Having visited the site and met with the owner, I can advise that the current works relate to repairs as a result of a burst water mains within the vestry.

The repairs include replastering a number of walls, repairs to ceilings (reinstating the cornicing), painting of timber work and redecorating. I also viewed the church hall and main body of the church, which are currently used for storage.

The owner indicated it was his long term intention to convert (with the appropriate consents and permissions) the whole building to a single house, to be used as a holiday home for the owner's family."

The church has lain empty for over a decade and local residents regularly comment to me that it would be good to see the church building brought back into an appropriate use.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000Z

Remember to recycle this Festive Season

2011-12-31T06:53:00.000Z

From Dundee City Council :

Remember to recycle this Festive Season

Christmas is a time when we generate more waste than at any other time in the year, but not everything left over from Christmas is unwanted.

Your Christmas cards, wrapping paper and cardboard, glass bottles and jars and even your real Christmas tree are all wanted at your local Recycling Centres and Points and at the kerbside.

So this year, please reduce your waste and recycle all those leftovers from the festive season!

For more information:

www.dundeecity.gov.uk/environment/festive/

Phone 432777

Lighting at Balgay Park and Hill - an update

2011-12-30T07:09:00.000Z

At the latest Balgay Stakeholders' Group meeting last month, there was a discussion about lighting improvements in the park.

The upgrade will be completed in January but I was given an update by the City Council towards the end of last week as follows :

"We had a team working on the lighting for the whole day.

We now have the first 2 lighting columns from the Scott Street end illuminated, but underground cable faults means the rest of the equipment is dark on this section of road until you get to the pavilion. Not much more can be done here until January. Good news on the North end. From Glamis Road, we have managed to illuminate 5 columns from the entrance to just past the pavilion. So you have the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 8th street lights illuminated.

The other lighting columns will be replaced with the main street lighting works in January."

More City Council cuts ahead

2011-12-29T07:31:00.000Z

As recently reported in the Courier, around £3.4 million of further budget cuts are to be considered by the SNP-run administration on Dundee City Council.

As I indicated in the Courier, I would take issue with the claim that the grant settlement is better than anticipated. Anyone looking objectively at the actual settlements announced by the SNP government for each authority can see that Dundee has a cash terms cut when other councils have seen a cash terms increase. The SNP government has badly let down Dundee in terms of its disappointing settlement for Dundee City Council.

The SNP continually blames Westminster for everything but the reality is that the SNP Finance Cabinet Secretary John Swinney has a budget that is in real terms billions higher than that available to the Scottish Government when the parliament was first established in 1999. The suggestion that £3.4 million of further cuts is somehow “good news” is spin and an attempt at “news management” by the SNP administration. Had the SNP Finance Secretary treated Dundee in a more equitable manner, we would not be looking at this level of cuts by the Dundee SNP administration.

What is now vital is that front-line services such as Education and Social Work do not fall victim to the further SNP cuts. I will be working positively with other councillors in the run-up to the council budget being set on 9th February to minimise the effect of further budget reductions.

Tay Rail Bridge Disaster Memorial Trust newsletter

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000Z

On this, the 132nd Anniversary of the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster, its good to note that the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster Memorial Trust has issued its first newsletter in time for this festive season.

As one of the trustees of the Trust, its really pleasing to see the progress the Trust is making towards its aim of a proper and lasting memorial to the victims of the 1879 disaster.

You can read the newsletter at http://tinyurl.com/TRBMTnews.

Crime statistics

2011-12-28T07:26:00.000Z

Last week, the Evening Telegraph highlighted crime statistics for 2010/11 across the city. This indicated the apparently high crime rate in parts of the West End Ward.

Beat 26 which covers quite a large part of the West End Ward has been highlighted in the past for its high number of incidents reported to and investigated but as it is a large area largely to the north of the Nethergate and Perth Road shopping areas right up to Pentland, it is important to emphasise that much of the area has a very low crime rate and that the total of crime incidents can appear skewed by the part of the Beat area that covers the clubs and other night time economy area.

Instances of housebreaking and theft are a real concern – in some instances these are “opportunist thefts” from mainly ground floor flats where windows have been left unsecured and it is important to emphasise that Tayside Police will provide any resident with free home security advice for their property.

I would add that there is a great community policing team in the area who work hard to combat crime and they do rely on local residents reporting anything they see as potentially suspicious.

Strawberrybank : a photo-essay

2011-12-27T07:59:00.000Z

Brian Selway's excellent blog - a look at life in Scotland through photographs and comment - highlighted the charm of Strawberrybank earlier this year.

You can see the item at http://tinyurl.com/strawberrybank.

Dundee West Park and Ride update

2011-12-26T07:55:00.000Z

Further to my article last month about possible future Park and Ride facilities sited in the west of the city and the subsequent decision by the regional transport partnership TACTRAN to progress the proposal for siting the facility at Wright Avenue, I sought, on behalf of constituents, some reassurances from TACTRAN about the facility.

The park and ride proposals have been largely welcomed by local residents but householders who live to the north of the preferred site have sought assurances that the facility would be properly screened. Residents who currently enjoy excellent views of Riverside Nature Park, Invergowrie Bay and the River Tay to the south rightly do not wish to look out to a car park in the future.

TACTRAN's Project Manager has updated me as follows :

"As the Wright Avenue location has been approved by the Tactran Board we will now be taking forward the detailed design, in partnership with Dundee City Council through the City Engineers.

As you’ll be aware the outline design was carefully designed to complement the landscaping of the surrounding park. In particular it was designed to be adjacent to the existing trees as they will provide good screening.

In progressing the design there will be an environmental assessment undertaken and this will include visual amenity for those properties that have a view of the site and I will ensure that appropriate provision will be made for any additional screening that may be required at the site."

There is no doubt that the provision of park and ride facilities will bring significant benefits, not just to the drivers concerned, but to relieving parking problems in parts of the City Centre and the West End. However, it is important that a facility is properly screened and I am therefore pleased at the assurances given by the regional transport partnership in that regard.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000Z

Christmas Buses

2011-12-24T08:57:00.001Z

A number of constituents have expressed concern about the inadequate bus services over Christmas and the New Year period - with no National Express Dundee buses at all on Christmas Day and New Year's Day and with the Sunday service on Boxing Day and 2nd January ending before 7.30pm. I have been in touch with the bus company about this.

As always, Suzy Scott at www.dundeebuses.info has a useful update on bus services in Dundee over the festive season.

Christmas Eve music

2011-12-24T07:13:00.000Z

West End schools' progress

2011-12-23T08:39:00.000Z

Back in September, I updated residents about the construction of the new St Joseph's Primary, Park Place Nursery and Park Place Primary Schools on the former Logie school site and gave links to the first two newsletters issued by the contractor, Robertson Construction, to adjacent householders in the Blackness Road, Abbotsford Street, Glenagnes Road/Logie, Rosefield Street and adjacent areas.

In recent weeks, the school building has moved forward significantly. You can download the following two newsletters about the project, issued to adjacent householders, here :

Edition 3 - November 2011 : http://tinyurl.com/nov2011edition

Edition 4 - December 2011 : http://tinyurl.com/dec2011edition

Friday's favourite ...

2011-12-23T07:14:00.000Z

My favourite Queen hit - back to Christmassy hits on Christmas Eve!

Getting things done ... Bus Stop on Perth Road at Shelter Shop

2011-12-22T09:10:00.000Z

The bus stop on Perth Road at the Shelter Shop – just west of Step Row was recently damaged by a vehicle.

At my request a new bus stop pole and sign is now in place.

Today's tune

2011-12-22T07:50:00.000Z

A break off Christmassy ones for a couple of days - this is my favourite Celine Dion song - Falling into you - from 1996 :

Dog Bag provision will continue ...

2011-12-21T08:29:00.002Z

Having recently had an enquiry seeking an assurance that the City Council will not, in these times of financial challenge, remove its provision of free "dog bags" to allow dog owners to clean up after their pet, I contacted the Director of Environment at the council to seek his assurances.

He has responded as follows :

"As a department we are looking at all opportunities for future savings and I am aware that this possible option has been discussed internally. I can confirm that we have no plans to remove this provision at present."

I am pleased to have received such an assurance as the provision of these bags greatly helps in the effort to reduce the amount of dog fouling left on the city's pavements, parks and other open spaces. I would have viewed any proposal to remove this free service as hugely counter-productive, so the confirmation that the dog bag service, available at many council facilities such as libraries, will continue is reassuring.

Wednesday Wizzard ...

2011-12-21T06:57:00.000Z

Recycling – Seafield Road area

2011-12-20T09:16:00.000Z

Residents in the Seafield Road area have queried why they cannot recycle tins, plastice and glass via a household collection.

At their request, I raised this with the City Council’s Recycling Projects Officer, who advises :

"At present we are investigating different collection methodologies which may, in time, enable us to increase our kerbside collections of these materials across the city. In the meantime however, there are a number of Recycling Centres & Points in the vicinity of Seafield Road to enable your constituent to recycle his tins, plastics & glass:

• Neighbourhood Recycling Point for glass & paper at Ryehill Lane/Perth Road junction

• Mini Recycling Centre at Pennycook Lane car park for alu cans, textiles, glass & paper

• Mini Recycling Centre at Roseangle Car Park for plastics, alu cans, glass & paper

• Mini Recycling Centre at Tesco Riverside for alu cans, glass, paper & textiles."

Tuesday's festive tune ...

2011-12-20T08:21:00.000Z

City Council winter weather advice

2011-12-19T09:05:00.001Z

The City Council has published a useful information leaflet on winter maintenance priorities, along with winter weather advice that you can download at http://tiny.cc/dundeewinter.

The City Council's winter weather advice page at http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/winterweather/.

Winter weather e-help : If I can be of any assistance to any West End Ward constituent with a concern about winter maintenance matters during the wintry weather period, please do not hesitate to contact me at winter@frasermacpherson.org.uk.

Monday music ...

2011-12-19T06:05:00.000Z

Riverside Drive at Riverside Approach

2011-12-18T07:00:00.001Z

Residents have asked why the traffic management at the above location is still in place, following the recent motor vehicle damage to the rail bridge. The City Council’s Head of Transportation advises :

"This is a deliberate section of temporary traffic management to ensure that no further vehicle strikes occur. The City Engineer's Structural engineers have undertaken a survey and we (City Engineer / Transportation and Planning) are considering a permanent layout that will prevent any further bridge strikes in the future.

I am unable to give any date for removing the traffic management as this will be dependant on when a permanent solution can be implemented. My observation is that any delay to traffic egressing from Riverside approach would be restricted to peak times."

I have been assured that I will be given an update on the situation early in the New Year.

Sunday's music ...

2011-12-18T06:03:00.002Z

Perth Road pavements

2011-12-17T08:44:00.000Z

Earlier this year, I asked the City Council that the pavements in Perth Road in the shopping area be resurfaced where they are in poor shape – particularly on the south side between Seafield Road and Shepherd’s Loan.

The Council agreed to resurface the stretch from Step Row to Shepherd’s Loan and targeted for this work to take place in October.

The Council has since advised me :

"The scheme was originally proposed to start in October after the holiday period but due to additional works at other ongoing Council schemes: Waterfront and Dykes of Grey. We did not have the resources to start this scheme as proposed and have it completed before the Christmas embargo starts, therefore we felt it better to reprogramme the scheme to after the festive season."

I am now advised that the work will take place in early January 2012 and have also requested that the pavement east of Step Row is resurfaced during 2012, following requests from residents, including the sheltered housing tenants at Seafield Lane.

Saturday's Christmas song ...

2011-12-17T07:52:00.000Z