West End Community Council Update

I've launched today my June 2008 Update to West End Community Council.

Issues covered include Post Office closures, residents' parking and roads/pavement issues.

If you click on the headline above, you can download the update.

Car park proposal and the sea wall

Two items from today's Courier. Firstly, if you click on the headline above, you can view the story of residents' concerns about the sea wall at Riverside Drive and my making clear that the City Council takes seriously any concerns about the safety of the retaining sea wall and these concerns must be investigated immediately.

I've been away in Edinburgh with the "day job" today and a West End Community Council meeting this evening immediately on return, but, having just got back home, the following feedback had been e-mailed to me by the City Engineer :

"An inspection of the sea wall was carried out yesterday. There is no public safety issue with the sea wall but pointing repairs are required.

"The sea wall is inspected on an annual basis and was last inspected in September 2007 as part of a wider Dundee coastal flood study. This highlighted that pointing repairs are required and these have been programmed to be carried out in the near future.

"The findings of the Dundee coastal flood study are still under consideration and will be reported in due course."

Also in today's Courier, was the report (below) on the very positive debate at Planning & Transport Committee last night (the City Council committee I chair) on the proposed multi-storey car park and retail space at Hunter Street :

"£7m car park plan ‘will boost cultural quarter’

"By Brian Allison, local government reporter

"PLANS FOR a £7 million car park off Hawkhill will ease congestion in the area and help promote Dundee’s burgeoning cultural quarter, city councillors heard last night.

"The planning and transport and policy and resources committees backed proposals for a 430-space multi-storey at Hunter Street which would also provide retail units at ground level and commercial development at the west end of the site.

"In a report, planning and transportation director Mike Galloway said the estimated cost of the car park would be in the region of £7.35 million.

"He said there was a very high and growing demand for quality parking in the Hunter Street area.

"The existing surface level car park has just under 140 spaces— not sufficient to meet the demand created by the adjacent university campus, new student housing and business developments in the cultural quarter.

“There is a growing need to satisfy the daytime commuter and retail parking demands as well as the growing demand arising from the vibrant evening economy,” he said.

“In support of the council’s primary objective to create a thriving economy through growth of the financial, leisure and retail sectors —which will occur mainly in the city centre—there is an urgent requirement to provide a retail development site for the purposes of relocation of an existing retail outlet in order to allow the proposed extension of the Overgate centre to progress.”

"Following committee approval the council will now advertise for a partnering contractor to undertake the development.

"Planning and transport convener Fraser Macpherson said the project would help alleviate the considerable parking difficulties for staff and students and the public.

"In response to a question from councillor Will Dawson, the convener said the department would be mindful of the need to maintain the traffic flow when the project was being constructed.

"Councillor Richard McCready said there was a need for the council to promote the use of public transport, but it must also recognise that many people would continue to use their cars.

"The new car park would help address parking issues as well as promoting the vibrancy of the cultural quarter."

May 2008 Update to the West End Community Council

I have today launched my May update to West End Community Council.

Issues covered include:

* Perth Road - gas main replacement works
* Youth football
* Dundee airport - helicopter noise
* Homebase site - update

* Riverside Approach - site visit with Network Rail

Click on the headline above to read the update.

The Community Council meets this Tuesday at 7pm - location : Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall.

April Community Council Update

I have today launched my April 2008 Update to West End Community Council.

Issues covered include :

* Perth Road closure - impending works by Scotland Gas Networks

* Heating and Service Charges Increases - concerns from Home Scotland sheltered tenants

* Riverside - proposed nature park update

* Harris Academy - pupil safety

* Speeding concern - Balgay Hill

The Community Council meets tomorrow (Tuesday 8th April) in Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall at 7pm.

You can download the Update by clicking on the headline above.

More news from the last week ...

The West End Community Council on Tuesday evening had two excellent presentations - one from Digital UK on the analogue TV "switch off" due in Dundee in 2010; the other from West End Tennis Club on their project to improve the club facilities. The Club has given me an update sheet on this which you can read by clicking on the headline above - and you can read more by going to the Club's website at : www.westendtennis.org.uk

Last night, the "Community Spirit" group - to campaign for the Pentland, Tullideph, Ancrum and Cleghorn area (and surrounding neighbourhood) - held its first AGM and was formally launched, at a well-attended meeting in the Mitchell Street Centre.

It was great to see the enthusiasm of local people who are keen to get an active community group going for the area to help tackle local issues in the north part of the West End Ward - just as West End Community Council does so well for the southern part of the ward. City councillors, the Police and others are keen to support the group in its activities in the months ahead.

Also yesterday, I spoke with Mrs Latif, following the robbery at her newsagents in Lochee Road earlier in the week. The local community is shocked at another incident of this type in the area, and very concerned for Mrs Latif in particular. I have contacted Tayside Police to ask for the use of mobile CCTV units in the Lochee Road area, which I think will help reassure the local community.

Community Council Update

I have today launched my March 2008 update to West End Community Council.

Issues covered include :

* Bridge at Riverside Drive - flooding and potholes

* Wheelie Bins - update

* Footpath and kerbing repairs - Perth Road, Glamis Road and Park Place

* Magdalen View - pedestrian access

You can read a copy of the update by clicking the headline above.

West End Community Council : February 2008 update

I have today launched my February 2008 update to West End Community Council.

The issues covered include :

• Tay Rail Bridge - Noise issue


• Wheelie Bins on pavements


• High Mill - overgrown area


• Windsor Street speeding


• Unadopted pavement Perth Road


• CCTV in the West End


• Pathway Perth Road to Rail Line


• Dundee Airport - Passenger Access


• Al-Maktoum Cultural Centre


• West End Roads and Pavements


• Tay Street Lane - flooding


• Area south of Richmond Terrace - trees vandalism


• Large sign at Riverside Avenue/Drive roundabout


• Postbox : Corner of Hazel Drive and Glamis Terrace


• Parking - Seafield Lane/Thomson Street


• Pennycook Lane sheltered housing - handrail

You can download a copy of the update by clicking on the headline above.

The Community Council meets this coming Tuesday (12th February) at 7pm at Logie St John's (Cross) Chruch Hall.

Community Council Meeting

An interesting West End Community Council meeting last night, with useful presentations by Tayside Fire & Rescue and Tayside Police.

Amongst the other issues discussed, I raised the proposal a few of us are keen to progress (with assistance from the University of Dundee) of a youth football group for the West End and the concerns about Freeview provision I raised in my Community Council update (click on headline to view).

The Digital UK Scotland Manager, with whom I have recently been in contact, is to be asked to address a future West End Community Council meeting about the issues. Apart from the general issues about converting all to digital TV and ensuring that all citizens including vulnerable and elderly households receive proper advice and assistance to covert their TVs, there are clear local issues about the proposed restricted service provision from the Tay Bridge transmitter.

West End Community Council : January 2008 update

I have today launched my January 2008 update to West End Community Council. To read it simply follow the link by clicking on the headline above.

Issues covered include Freeview "lite" concerns in the West End, footpaths in Hawkhill, "No Through Road" signage required for Lytton Street and Gowrie Street, and parking issues in Taylor's Lane.

The Community Council meets next Tuesday (8th January) at 7pm in Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall.

Merry Christmas!

The photocall (mentioned in last blog entry) at lunchtime today went very well and many thanks to both Peter & Kim from Wave 102 for attending and to the Evening Telegraph for featuring it in tonight's paper. The West End Community Council website records the event (www.wecc.org.uk) together with other Christmas Week photos.

Had an increasing number of e-Christmas cards this year but perhaps the nicest of them is from the University of Dundee (click on headline above to view) with its West End theme!

As always, I take a break from blog entries over the festive period, so see you in early January 2008! In the meantime, can I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Guid New Year!

Tuesday update

A busy day (largely in Edinburgh) and having issued a news release about the Botanic Gardens concerns (pasted below), I was interviewed by both Radio Tay and Wave 102 (the latter whilst on a train to Edinburgh!) about the situation. The matter is also covered in today's Courier and Evening Telegraph.

The meetings in Edinburgh were with my TACTRAN hat on - along with my Regional Transport Partnership Chair colleagues from across Scotland, we met firstly with COSLA and thereafter with John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth, and Stewart Stevenson, the Transport Minister.

On my way back tonight, admired the 'other' West End Christmas lights at West Port (see above right). Clearly, the City Council got a job lot of similar Christmas lights sets, but attractive nonetheless!

Tonight sees the last monthly meeting of West End Community Council of 2007.

NEWS RELEASE ON BOTANIC GARDENS :

West End City Councillor Fraser Macpherson said that he was “gravely concerned” by the unwillingness of the University of Dundee to deny speculation that it is discussing the sale of part of the Botanic Gardens grounds to a local property developer.

“I have no doubt that the whole local community would strongly oppose the building of houses on any part of the Botanic Gardens ground. It would have been helpful for the University to confirm that it would not contenance sellling any part of its own ground at the Botanics to a developer, but unfortunately it has not given
such an assurance thus far,” said Cllr Macpherson.

“Any attempt to build housing on grounds earmarked as open space in the Local Plan Review 2005 would fly in the face of adopted local planning policy. The gardens clearly fall under the category of “protected open space” in terms of Policy 66 of the Local Plan Review.

“I was present at the very well attended Friends of the Botanic Gardens public meeting at the end of November and what was extremely clear from that was the needs for all parties – the University, Friends of the Botanic Gardens and others – to work together to ensure a sustainable future for the Botanic Gardens. I call on the University to give a firm commitment that it will not sell off Botanic Gardens ground to any developer,” he concluded.

West End Community Council : December 2007 Update

I have today launched my December 2007 Update to West End Community Council.

Issues covered include road safety (including Westfield Place and Logie Avenue/Ashbank Road), the western end of Seabraes and the Homebase site.

The Community Council meets this forthcoming Tuesday (11th December) at Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall at 7pm.

You can download a copy of the update by clicking on the rather lengthly link below!

http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4354cb46e84541.81564487/West%20End%20Ward%20-%20Various%20Resources%20Directory/West%20End%20Community%20Council%20Updates/West+End+Community+Council+Update+-+December+2007.pdf

Former Logie Secondary School site clean-up

Was called earlier this morning by Professor Malory Nye, Acting Principal of the Al-Maktoum Institute to be advised that, following my recent meeting with him when I raised residents' concerns about the state of the former Logie Secondary School site (earmarked for the proposed Al-Maktoum Cultural Centre), work starts today on tidying the site. The Al-Maktoum Foundation has employed the City Council (Dundee Contract Services) to undertake the work.

I am pleased that the area is to be tidied as there have been many concerns from residents about the state of the area.

Attended West End Community Council last night. An interesting talk by Historic Scotland and useful discussion on a number of local issues too.

November Community Council Update!

In my November 2007 Update to the West End Community Council various West End issues are covered, including :

* CCTV at Seabraes
* Pennycook Lane - handrail
* Leaves on local pavements
* Pavement Repairs - Perth Road at two locations
* Digital TV

The Community Council meets this forthcoming Tuesday (13th November) at 7pm at Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall.

You can read more about the update by clicking on the headline above.

Latest updates ...

Yesterday included a meeting with the residents organising a community meeting for Pentland, Cleghorn, Ancrum & adjacent areas. They are holding it on Wednesday 24th October at Balgay Church ... more on this later but do please attend if you live in the area.

After an informal meeting about West End Christmas Week matters, the West End Community Council meeting took place, including its AGM and a useful update from the Dundee Airport Manager.

Today, I received the following update about the Tay Street service road from the City Council:

"Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating building works.

The Order is expected to be in force for ten weeks from 22 October 2007. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicles in Tay Street Service Road from its junction with South Tay Street at a point 30 metres or thereby in a westerly direction.

Pedestrian thoroughfare and vehicular access to premises will be maintained.

An alternative route will be available via Tay Square.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to the Network Management Team, Planning and Transportation Department, Tayside House, Crichton Street, Dundee, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date. If you have any queries please contact the department on 433168."

October West End Community Council Update

Click on the headline above to read my October Update to West End Community Council.

Subjects covered include :

• School crossing patrol survey - Perth Road
• Appeal Decisions
• State of former Logie Secondary School site

The Community Council next meets on Tuesday 9th October at 7pm in Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall.

Community Council, Western Cemetery Association, Magdalen Green, West End Christmas Week

A very productive meeting of the West End Christmas Week committee on Monday - things taking shape. The week this year is running from 1st to 8th December, with a launch on 1st December on Magdalen Green and the Christmas Concert, Lights Switch On and fireworks display on Thursday 6th December.

Along with valued help from colleagues, I am distributing the first flyer to local shops later this week (see right).

It's amazing to think that its already the seventh year of the West End Christmas Week, and we have exciting new initiatives this year to keep the week fresh and exciting.

Do let us know if you wish to help!

A well-attended Community Council meeting last night, which included a presentation by a member of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens. An excellent leader article in the Courier this morning highlighting the fact that, whilst the Scottish Government was "happy to toss £10 million to the botanic gardens in Edinburgh", the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead MSP) "is uninterested in helping Dundee." Let's hope we see a change of heart on this and some real support from the Scottish Government.

A couple of other important local events coming up :

• The Western Cemetery Association has its public launch meeting next Tuesday 18th September at 12 noon at Harris Academy (click on headline above to view more) - you can join the Association free of charge by going to http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/dundeewca/
• The next public meeting of Friends of Magdalen Green will take place on Wednesday 19th September at 7pm at Dundee West Church - you can read more at : http://magdalengreen.blogspot.com/2007/08/next-meeting-of-friends-of-magdalen.html for further details. Unfortunately I'll miss the meeting as I'll be in Northern Ireland, but I do hope it goes well.

West End Community Council Update

If you click on the headline above, you can download my update for tomorrow night's West End Community Council meeting.

Issues covered include:

• Traffic issues - Logie Avenue and Blackness Road
• Vandalised phone box - Magdalen Green
• Newhall Gardens pavements
• Bus Timetables - in the West End
• Wheelie Bins
• Parking in the West End
• Bus Lane markings - Blackness Avenue
• Step Row - temporary road closure
• West End Christmas Week 2007

Boats up the Tay, Community Council, Grass Verges

Yesterday, at the invitation of Fife Council, I attended a boat trip up the Tay from Newburgh to Perth and back to look at and discuss the Tay Regeneration Project. The picture (right) is of Newburgh as the boat left and the one (below right) is of the group of LibDem councillors who attended - from the right Cllr Andrew Arbuckle (Fife Council), me, Cllr Maggie Taylor (Fife Council), Cllr George Hayton (Perth & Kinross Council) and Cllr Willie Wilson (Perth and Kinross Council).

West End Community Council met last night and the dominant issue came from a large group of parents concerned about the situation affecting Bellfield Nursery. I made clear that it is vitally important that parents and anyone else with a concern about the proposal to merge the nursery with Park Place Nursery takes part in the consultation process and raises their concerns directly with the Director of Education. I have already myself raised issues with her following speaking with parents.

There were a number of other issues raised at the meeting, including litter - on this I have been in touch with Waste Management about litter enforcement in the Perth Road area.

A constituent has contacted to say that, in the past, the grass verges on Perth Road at Clovis Duveau Drive and within the technology park have been well kept. However, this year, the grass verges haven't as yet been cut and are looking very wild. I have today taken up the matter with Scottish Enterprise Tayside who own the ground here.