Community music event at Verdant Works

Update from Petra Vergunst, community musician :  www.musicforcommunities.blogspot.com:

Singers wanted for a community music event at Verdant Works on Saturday 27th October

We are now looking for singers (experience is not required) to join the chorus at Verdant Works on Saturday 27th October from 1pm to 4 pm.

The event will be the culmination of the community music project Warp and Weft.   This project, commissioned by Dundee Heritage Trust with money from Dundee's Weaver Craft, celebrates the 500th anniversary of the weaving trade in Dundee.

The public singing event consists of a workshop to rehearse We Can Dance, We Can Swing, a ten-minute work for narrator, mezzo soprano, baritone, chorus, flute, violin and cello, written and composed by community musician Petra Vergunst.  The libretto is inspired by conversations with people who used to work in the jute industry or had family who did so, held during a Memories Weekend at Verdant Works last August. 

For the workshop on 27th October, community musician Petra Vergunst is looking for singers who want to join the chorus. The singing rehearsal will take place on 27th October from 1pm to 3 pm, followed by an informal performance for friends and family at 3.30 pm. People of all ages are welcome to join the choir. Singing experience is not required and participation in the event is free.

If you want to join the community chorus, please let me know by email (petravergunst@hotmail.com) by Wednesday 24th October or by phoning Dundee Heritage Trust’s Education and Community Outreach Officer Brian Kelly on 309078. 

For more information about the community music project Warp and Weft itself, please contact Dundee Heritage Trust’s Education and Community Outreach Officer Brian Kelly at education@dundeeheritage.co.uk.

Willie Rennie's Dundee visit

I was delighted to welcome Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, back to Dundee yesterday.   In addition to doing a joint West End Ward surgery with me at the Mitchell Street Centre, Willie and I also visited Maggie's Centre, the Shelter shop on Perth Road and the Wave 102 studios.

Here's some photographs from Willie's visit:

Willie and I had a really enjoyable visit to Shelter's shop in Perth Road, managed by Karen Kelbie and her super team.    Here's Willie (left) and me (right) with some of the team, including Andy Moodie, regional manager.

Willie and me at Maggie's Centre, with Valerie Busher, Maggie's Community Fundraising Development Manager (far right) and Mr Kemlo, service user (second right)

Willie, interview by David Proctor of Wave 102 News

Concern over lack of safety markings

I have voiced concern at the continued lack of road safety markings at the very busy Logie Street/City Road junction.   The junction used to have a “yellow box” painted at the junction to allow throughput of vehicles turning right from Logie Street into City Road and to assist road safety, but these have worn away and I have requested the City Council tackles the issue as soon as possible given the heavy vehicle use of this junction.

I have raised the matter several times with the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership since March of this year and have now asked the council to take action as a matter of urgency.

The Roads Maintenance Partnership has updated me as follows:

“I apologise that the works have not been carried out as yet.

We initially delayed because of works Scotland Gas Networks were carrying out, and our desire to patch the carriageway prior to replacing the box marking.  However this delay has allowed us to look again at this junction as the condition of the existing surfacing has further deteriorated.  

We have developed a further 3 options for extensive resurfacing as an alternative to localised rhino patching.  This will be subject to conformation of available budget.  Funding will be discussed and confirmed at the Divisional revenue monitoring meeting which takes place towards the end of this month.”

Willie Rennie to visit Dundee

I'll be pleased tomorrow to welcome back Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, Willie Rennie MSP (pictured right), to Dundee, in a visit that will see Willie and myself meet the great team at Maggie's Centre, who recently celebrated the centre's 9th anniversary.

During his visit, Willie will also visit local businesses in the West End and will take part in a joint surgery with me at the Mitchell Street Centre (see below) at 4.20pm, to which all West End residents are very welcome to attend.

Ethical pension fund investments

Yesterday’s Courier highlighted concerns about the Tayside Superannuation Investment Fund’s holdings in companies such as Imperial Tobacco and British American Tobacco in terms of concerns about ethical behaviour.

The investment fund’s holdings in these companies are significant: 

This is an important issue and, in short, I do not believe superannuation investment should be investing in any companies that do not act ethically.  

During the time I chaired the Tayside Superannuation Investment Sub-Committee from 2005 to 2007, I had concern that the fund was purely required to maximise returns for its members and I called for changes to legislation to be altered to give superannuation investment funds more flexibility.

Guidance issued by government in 2011, together with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy’s Pensions Panel guidance on investment decision making, now appears to give welcome flexibility to superannuation investment funds to reject unethical investments. 

I have written to the City Council’s Chief Executive and the Director of Corporate Services seeking clarification about the actions of the pension fund and assurances that all investments will henceforth take account of ethical and social considerations.

V&A at Dundee site changes

The revised site proposal

There has been much comment on the proposal to move the proposed V&A at Dundee building away from the river and north to the waterfront itself. 

As I  indicated in today's Courier, I sought an assurance from the City Council's Director of City Development that the integrity of the design will remain intact. 

What would concern me would be if the change had been made purely to save money and if the visionary elements of the design had been lost.

Kengo Kuma's design was an inspired choice and I want to make sure none of the vision is lost.

The Director of City Development has advised me that:

"The budget for the project is £45m and we are absolutely committed to that. Costings for some aspects of the work were proving to be subject to considerable risk. This new option reduces that risk substantially.  We are looking to build an extremely notable building, to good time, and on budget. I am confident we are approaching that task sensibly.

The design of the building itself is completely unchanged by the change in site.

At no stage in this project's design has it ever been above the £45m budget." 

Getting things done ... Brook Street

Residents have contacted me to say that the bus stop on Brook Street at Brook Close has been knocked over by a vehicle - see right.

I have brought this to the attention of the City Council and requested a replacement bus stop.

Safer routes to school - an update

Back in August, I mentioned that Dundee Travel Active was giving every primary pupil/parent a copy of a school-specific safer routes to schools guide to assist pupil safety and safe routes to school.   At that time, I featured the leaflets for Blackness, Ancrum Road and Hillside Primary Schools.

Just prior to the end of the last school term, a further leaflet was produced for the pupils who will, after the holidays, attend either of the two primary schools (St Joseph's and Victoria Park, formerly Park Place Primary) or the nursery (Balgay Hill, formerly Park Place Nursery) that open at the new Logie campus in Glenagnes Road.

You can download the leaflet by going to http://tinyurl.com/safety-logie.

Busy Thursday ...

Also yesterday, I chaired the latest meeting of the West End Christmas Fortnight Committee - this is taking really good shape.   There's a growing programme of events in place covering the fortnight - 17th November to 1st December!

Later yesterday, I attended the latest committee meeting of the Bonnie Dundee group at the City Chambers. The group encourages improvements to the Dundee environment and local groups who help to keep Dundee's parks, open areas, streets and gardens in good shape.   We discussed judges comments about the recent Silver Award to the city by Beautiful Scotland.   

In terms of Bonnie Dundee's current and proposed 2013 projects, the West End features well - from Sensation to Sinderins - and this is to be greatly welcomed.

On Wave 102 - St John's High School travel issue

I was on Wave 102 news yesterday regarding the St John's High School travel issue - click 'play' below to listen:

Wednesday activities

Yesterday morning, after visits to two constituents on housing issues, I had a site visit to Tait's Lane - see right - to discuss residents' concerns about the speed of some vehicles in this very narrow street and the need for a reduced speed limit.   Following this, I have raised the issues with the City Development Department of Dundee City Council.

Thereafter, I took part in a walkabout round the Pentland area along with officers from various council departments, Tayside Fire and Rescue and a ward colleague.   We highlighted a number of issues across the Pentland area - repairs required to steps in the area, refuse collection issues, a damaged grit bin in Pentland Crescent (see right) and a leaning street lighting column in the same street (see left) to name just a few.   The walkabouts in various parts of the West End are a good way of highlighting local issues and concerns that need addressing.

Yesterday evening, I took part in a committee meeting of the West End Sports and Heritage Association.   Although primarily about WESHA's negotiations with the City Council about a lease on the Riverside Pavilion to help build sporting activity in the West End, we all expressed our sadness at the death of local resident Euan Wright, who died at the weekend as a result of a tragic accident whilst bird-watching.    Euan played in the Saturday Morning Football League that is a key member of WESHA and our thoughts are with Euan's family at this sad time.

West End Community Council

Last night, I attended the October meeting of West End Community Council.

Although there was no speaker at yesterday's meeting, there was opportunity for discussion about a number of West End issues and I had the opportunity to update the Community Council about the plans for this year's West End Christmas Fortnight.

The next meeting of the Christmas Fortnight Committee takes place tomorrow at 3.30pm at the Vine in Magdalen Yard Road - all welcome!

City Council needs to resolve school transport issue properly

I have again highlighted the continued poor transport provision for West End pupils who attend St John’s High School and am continuing to campaign to have the City Council recognise the need to provide a mini-bus service as a long-term solution to the problem.

The issue was initially highlighted last year when National Express Dundee withdrew the 4S school bus that took St John’s pupils from the West End to the school and back every school day.    

At the time there was some movement on the situation but the travel to school arrangements for West End pupils attending St John’s remains highly unsatisfactory for many, involved convoluted bus journeys.   It should be remembered that this pupils live in the school catchment area and, particularly in winter, the transport arrangements – or, rather, lack of them - are not satisfactory.

I have been for many months requesting that Dundee City Council makes use of its own significant mini-bus fleet to provide a proper service for St John’s pupils.    The council has this mini-bus resource and, given that the council is beginning to look at vehicle fleet management in a more corporate way, the council has it within its resources to assist pupils in the catchment area.

I recently had feedback on his request for a mini-bus solution from the City Council’s Director of Environment as follows:

“Following the appointment of the new Corporate Fleet Manager in December last year, staff have been focussing on the critical issues to create and ensure the future successful delivery of the corporate fleet function. There are three main areas that have been focussed on:

Staffing - The creation/implementation of a staffing structure and the negotiations with the Trade Unions around harmonising Craft workers terms and conditions.

Physical Changes - The redevelopment of the blacksmith area within the workshop, the moving of the MOT and Taxi Testing station to the Marchbanks workshop and the creation of a new agricultural workshop within Marchbanks.

Fleet Management System - This involves a complete reworking of the workshop systems including stores, job cards, vehicle records and invoicing.

As you can appreciate the tasks listed above are complex and time consuming and must run in tandem with the day to day operations of 3 very busy workshops, with limited resources.

We are fully aware of the issues surrounding the mini bus utilisation within the city and as previously advised, plan to address this matter as one of the first major projects following the newly formed Fleet Section being fully operational.  

We have recently met with colleagues in Perth & Kinross Council, who have fairly recently established a mini-bus pool, to understand how they have achieved this and the lessons learned. As a consequence of this visit it is now proposed to form a "lifed" Mini-bus Working Group and for this to become a sub-project under the Changing for the Future initiative. The group have yet to come together but will be required to develop an implementation plan and to report on progress via the council's Strategic Management Team and the Changing for the Future Board.

I realise this does not deal with your immediate concerns regarding St Johns but hopefully reassures you that this issue is now firmly on the agenda.”

Whilst I am pleased to be reassured that this issue is now firmly on the agenda, the question is how long it will take this proposed Mini-bus Working Group to progress to a point that a service is deliverable for St John’s pupils.    

There is an obvious issue going to spring up with West End pupils come next August.   Harris Academy pupils by then decanted to Rockwell as the Harris rebuilding project starts, will have a pupils’ bus service to take them to their decant building.     St John’s pupils living in exactly the same area and attending a school within a few hundred yards of Rockwell will have no equivalent and there’s a clear concern at the unfairness of such a situation.   Getting a permanent proper minibus service for St John’s pupils who live in the West End is the obvious route forward.

Council agrees disabled parking bay inadequate

The disabled parking bay in Pennycook Lane

I am pleased to say that Dundee City Council has agreed to my request to widen the disabled parking bay in Pennycook Lane, following my highlighting to the council its inadequate size for people with walking difficulties.

A local sheltered tenant rightly raised concerns about the disabled parking space that is in the car park in Pennycook Lane, along from Blackness Primary School. 

The gentleman is the main carer for his wife who has various health issues and he often takes her out and about in the car, getting her to the car by wheelchair.   He is having difficulties as the disabled space in the car park is very limited, being the same size as a normal parking space.   There is no additional space to allow for getting someone from wheelchair to car. 

This is a very valid point and its clear that widening it would benefit this couple and also other disabled people who use this car parking space.   What I cannot understand is why Dundee City Council created such a narrow disabled parking space in the first place.   Clearly anyone needing to get from a wheelchair into a car needs a bit of extra space and a ‘standard size’ parking space is clearly not fit for purpose.

I contacted the City Council’s Head of Transportation about the issue and have received the following response:

“This will be addressed as we formally progress the Disabled Parking Places Act in our off street car parks, with a minimum improved provision in car parks such as Pennycook Lane.

I can therefore confirm that this bay will be 'widened' to make it more usable.”

I am pleased at this positive response from the council and I hope that the space can be widened  in the near future.   As there is a small area of unused ground to the south of the space, this should mean the space can be widened without any loss of other car parking spaces.

The Artist's Model - Exhibition

"The Artist's Model" - an exhibition of figurative paintings by leading local artist John Stoa is in full swing at the Botanic Garden on Riverside Drive from 11am to 4.30pm - open each day until Thursday of this week - 11th October - and is well worth a visit.

My sister in law (and former council colleague) Helen Dick, who has taken up painting following her retiral from the City Council, attends John's excellent painting classes and she recently visited this interesting exhibition - here's some photographs from the exhibition - below:

Above photograph shows Helen (centre) at the exhibition

Call for playpark roundabouts to be replaced

I recently highlighted the concerns of local residents and their children over the missing roundabout in the Roseangle playpark - see right.     Now the children's roundabout in Victoria Park has also disappeared and residents have contacted me seeking assurances that the disappearing roundabouts will be restored or replaced soon.

I took up the issue on behalf of constituents whose children are most disappointed that, perhaps the favourite pieces of play equipment at the local parks, had disappeared.    Having contacted the City Council’s Environment Department about this, I am advised that the roundabouts have been removed following safety concerns about the central spindle of the equipment.

An Environment Department official advised me

“The roundabout at Magdalen Green and at Victoria Park are both of the same manufacturer (Wickstead).  Unfortunately the centre spindle on which these roundabouts rotate are no longer available to purchase.   This design is approximately 40 years old and the spindles in question around 30 years old.   

The spindles at both of these sites were severely worn - therefore the roundabout removed for safety reasons.

We are currently looking at the best alternative to these roundabouts but no similar model is available.

The other consideration is resources - the cost to remove foundations of the old roundabouts and replace with a new model may be circa £4000 per unit so when we have settled on the best alternative we must consider affordability.”

Whilst I am pleased that the council is looking at alternatives, I am adamant that the playpark roundabouts must be replaced.    There’s been comparatively little spent on these West End playparks in many years compared to some other playparks and I’ve also made the point that the roundabouts have been really well-used over the years.  The council owes it to local children to give them back their roundabouts.

We discussed the situation at the Friends of Magdalen Green committee meeting recently given that the Roseangle playpark is adjacent to the Green.    The point was made that there’s been nothing in the way of new play equipment given to these playparks in recent years so taking away the children’s roundabouts would not be acceptable.

West End Christmas Fortnight latest

Towards the end of last month, I updated residents on the plans for this year's West End Christmas Fortnight.   

On Thursday, the next Christmas Fortnight group meeting takes place and a leaflet about this and the plans for the forthcoming events (17th November to 1st December) has been delivered to local businesses - see below:

You can download a higher-quality PDF of this leaflet by clicking here.

The Christmas Fortnight group meeting takes place at the Vine, 43 Magdalen Yard Road at 3.30pm on Thursday (11th October) and all are welcome to attend.

West End surgeries

With the Dundee school holidays now taking place, my usual surgeries across the West End do not take place over the next 2 weeks.

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

Friends of Balgay AGM

Friends of Balgay hold their AGM on Saturday 20th October at 2pm in the Mills Observatory - all welcome!

Following the AGM formalities, there will be a slide-illustrated talk by Ron Scrimgeour on the history of Dundee's weaving trade entitled "The Wark o' the Weavers" - to be followed by discussion and refreshments.

Welcome removal of double yellow lines to help St Joseph's Church

I have welcomed Dundee City Council’s agreement to my request, on behalf of parishioners of St Joseph’s Church, to remove double yellow lines in Wilkie’s Lane, following the impending relocation of St Joseph’s Primary School.

The double yellow lines in Wilkie’s Lane create difficulties for local people attending the church from parking.   At present there is parking allowed on a “glazed pitch” at the south of the lane but this will be lost when the Al Maktoum Foundation starts construction of their new facility.   Also, the church car park is very small.

The amount of traffic in the street will be much less with the school moved and I made the point to the City Council that it would benefit church goers if they could legitimately park up the lane.

I am pleased at the positive response from the council which will benefit visitors to the church and the priests resident in Wilkie’s Lane.

E-MAIL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION BELOW.

Sent: 05 October 2012 10:08

To: Fraser Macpherson

Subject: Re: Wilkie's Lane

Councillor Macpherson,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 3 October 2012 regarding prohibition of waiting in Wilkie's Lane.  I have discussed this matter with the Network Management Team Leader.

The double yellow lines were instigated by the Education Department due to the approach to the school.  This would have been part of the improvements for Safer Routes to Schools.   However there is no Traffic Order currently in place for this enforcement.

With the closure of St Joseph's Primary School due to the relocation to Glenagnes Road, there will be no longer the requirement to restrict parking or concern of parked vehicles leading to a school at this location.

Therefore in order to provide sufficient parking for people attending church, I will arrange to make arrangements to remove the double yellow lines.   I will however retain the double yellow lines at the junction with Blackness Road.  

The promotion of the TRO to create enforceable parking restrictions will no longer be progressed and we will email you (along with all ward members) formally.

Head of Transportation

City Development Department

Been in Telford ...

I have been Telford for the past few days at the "day job" UK Conference.

It was a really good and well attended event  and our Performance Awards Dinner was superbly hosted by Angela Rippon.

Here's me, pictured below, at the conference exhibition:

Getting things done ... Saggar Street, Benvie Road, City Road and Logie Street

I have had complaints from residents about very worn white junction and other road lining in Logie Street, City Road, the bottom of Benvie Road and at the bottom of Saggar Street - the latter situation is pictured - right.

I have asked that the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership repaints these.

Mumford and Sons Caird Hall tickets

Mumford and Sons

Local Minister David Robertson highlighted in the Courier letters earlier this week his valid complaint about the sale of tickets for the forthcoming Mumford and Sons Caird Hall Concert.

I have since been in contact with the Caird Hall Manager about the situation and I reproduce her response below:

"I did request a ticket allocation from the Promoter of this Concert for Dundee City Box Office to ensure some citizens could purchase locally. The Promoter did intend initially to sell the tickets only via the Bands website via a password as everyone in the business is constantly trying to stop the ticket touts.

Unfortunately there is no government backing to make touting illegal although I understand there was a restriction with regards to re-selling of Olympic tickets.

Mumford and Sons are one of the most popular Bands around at the minute, they are also playing SECC on this tour and again sold this out on Friday morning.

We do have a top range ticketing system in Dundee City Box Office and with that is the facility to sell out online in minutes but again a decision was made to hold some tickets for the queue. It was always the case that demand would be in excess of availability as is the case for all major Shows worldwide.

Having assessed the situation following the sale and the comments made to Box Office staff etc, it maybe that in future the best procedure would be to have such Bands sell all of their own tickets to their fan base."

Personally, I think there is a real need for promoters to create the conditions where local fans of major bands get a decent chance to obtain tickets for concerts like this and it is really irritating to learn, as David pointed out, that 'ticket ''agencies'', eBay and other on-line sites were selling them openly within minutes for up to seven times the price.'   

There is also a real need to government action to stop ticket touts - if it can be actioned for the Olympics, why not for other popular events?

Busy Wednesday ...

In addition to visiting a number of constituents today on a variety of issues, I also:

* Participated in the City Council's Waste to Energy Plant Working Group meeting at which there was a lengthy discussion about Dundee Energy Recycling and the forthcoming reinstatement of the plant at Baldovie, following a fire in May of this year.

* Attended the October meeting of the Community Spirit Action Group, the community group for the "north" part of West End Ward, coering Tullideph, Pentland, Ancrum and the Cleghorn area.   There was a very detailed and interesting presentation by Kathy Longmuir of the Countryside Rangers Service about the rangers' work.   Kathy spoke with great enthusiasm about environmental education, encouraging recreation and enjoyment of Dundee's wildlife and green spaces and working with local people of all ages.    Kathy also highlighted the work the rangers undertake at Balgay Hill - including a forthcoming volunteering day on the hill on Sunday 16th December, starting at 1pm.

* Was minute-taker at the latest Friends of Magdalen Green meeting, at which we discussed our involvement with the West End Christmas Fortnight, our new membership leaflet, parking and playpark issues and our 2012 Christmas Card.

On Wave 102 News ...

I am on Wave 102 news this morning, speaking about Dundee and the Saltire travel card.    Click 'play' below to listen:

Call for Dundee to be at forefront of "Scottish Oyster Card"

Saltire Card would operate
similarly to the London
Oyster Card.

I have called on Dundee City Council to be at the forefront in progressing the Scottish Government’s “Saltire Card” by offering to be a pilot site for the proposed Scottish equivalent of the Oyster Travel Card that has been a huge success for public transport in London.

Having been the City Council's Planning & Transport Convener and a former chair of the regional transport partnership TACTRAN, I am only too well-aware that there is a real need to make public transport as accessible as possible and having a card that passengers can use for travel on trains, different bus operators and other public transport will make travel easier and possibly cheaper.

I have recently had feedback from Eric Guthrie, Director of TACTRAN, on the Saltire Card issue and Mr Guthrie is to be meeting with Transport Scotland later this month about this integrated ticketing initiative.  He has advised me:

“As you are aware TACTRAN has supported the need to extend Smart ticketing across the public transport system, both regionally and nationally.   We will be clearer on the opportunities and likely timescales regionally once we have met with Transport Scotland and I’m happy to update you on progress.”

The Oyster Card in London has been a great success in allowing people to pay for different forms of public transport use with the same card without the need to carry exact fare with them, and its made public transport all the more accessible for people.    Having recently had a family visit to Melbourne, their equivalent - the Myki card - is an excellent way to travel to your destination, changing between train, tram and bus seamlessly.  I can see great benefits for Dundee and, as it is clear that the Scottish Government wishes to pursue the Saltire Card initiative through a series of pilot projects, I want to see Dundee City Council take the initiative here by offering to be involved at an early stage.

I have written to the City Council’s Head of Transportation, suggesting that the City Council engage with the regional transport partnership and with Scottish Government to move this forward for Dundee.    

At least some of the pilot work on the Saltire Card will be Commonwealth Games focussed and whilst that is understandable, it is important that it moves forward in various parts of Scotland, not just in the areas closest to the centre of the games in Glasgow.    

Dundee has high usage of public transport and will make an ideal pilot location.   There are real benefits for the travelling public and I want to see Dundee included at the earliest opportunity.

Blackness Road surfacing completed

The resurfacing work on Blackness Road - between Forest Park Road and Abbotsford Street - obviously caused traffic disruption during the period it was carried out, but, now it is completed, residents have commented favourably on the significantly improved surface - particularly for the elderly residents at Blackness Court crossing to the shops on the south side.

There's still an issue with regard to pavement condition locally and I have again highlighted this with the Roads Maintenance Partnership, but the road itself does look much better, as the photograph below alludes to:

Barney's Fund looking for new applications!

Earlier today, I had the pleasure of chairing the Barney's Fund committee, the charity set up by local business Barnetts Motor Group to help worthy causes in the local area.

We are looking for new applications from local charities and good causes - more details from our news release below:

NEWS RELEASE :   Local charity Barney's Fund looking for new applications

Local charities, community groups and worthwhile local projects are set to receive a boost to their fundraising efforts towards the end of this year with the help of Barnetts Motor Group’s Barney’s Charity Fund.  

The Barney’s Fund Committee are now accepting applications for its second 2012 tranche of awards and would like to invite local charities, community groups or projects to apply for a small donation or grant to help support their existing fundraising efforts.

Barney’s Fund Committee’s Chairperson Cllr Fraser Macpherson said “We remain keen to support groups or charities who demonstrate an active role in worthwhile community based projects or events and are looking for applications to include some background information, details of any upcoming events and current fundraising efforts as well as future plans.  

“We have already made awards to local good causes and the fund is keen to help more charitable activities through its new tranche of awards at the end of November, so I would urge local groups to apply.”

Please send an application letter to Barney’s Fund Committee, Barnetts Motor Group, Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD2 1UG or email barneys@barnettsmotorgroup.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 30th November 2012.  

CONTACTS:
Carole Phillips, Barnetts Motor Group
Direct Line: 01382 647842
Email: carole@barnettsmotorgroup.co.uk 

Cllr Fraser Macpherson
Councillor for the West End
Office : 01382 434985 - Home : 01382 459378

Getting things done ... Riverside Drive

Following concerns from residents that the pathway on the west side of Riverside Drive south of the Botanic Garden was overgrown - as were the steps just south of the rail bridge - I contacted the City Council regarding this.

I am pleased to say this has now been attended to as a result of my request - see below:

Seabraes - looking superb!

I mentioned - earlier this year - the superb job the City Council made of Seabraes planting in the Spring.    Many residents have mentioned to me how great the area looks at the moment - see below - a real credit to the Environment Department:

Dundee Rep schools' competition

Dundee Rep is inviting local school pupils to win a place on the Inspire 2013 drama project.

The Inspire creative arts project allows teachers to become directors and pupils to be performers.   It brings creativity to the heart of the curriculum.

Pupils (from P4 onwards) are being invited to design a logo for the project.   Entries should be sent to:

Dundee Rep Theatre
Tay Square

Dundee

DD1 1PB

The closing date is 30th November and if you have any questions, please e-mail info@dundeereptheatre.co.uk.