Wednesday 4 March 2009

City Council News Release today on the street lighting partnership

A Dundee-based street lighting partnership looks set to be extended following a successful initial three-year period.

A report to Dundee City Council's planning and transport committee on Monday (March 9) recommends that the council's partnership with Perth and Kinross Council and Tayside Contracts be extended for three years.

Committee convener Councillor Fraser Macpherson said: "The partnership was set up three years ago and involves an integrated team covering Dundee and Perth and Kinross with many benefits for the councils and Tayside Contracts.

"It has proved to be a very successful and cost-effective arrangement, with reduced staff costs, savings through bulk purchase of materials and lower storage costs. There has also been a significant drop in the average repair cost, from almost £40 in 2002-03 to just under £25 last year.

"The service that the public have received has also been excellent. For example, street lights in Dundee have fewer faults and are fixed faster than in any other major Scottish city. Dundee has only three lights per 1000 not working compared to 10 times as many in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

"The partnership has also gained national recognition, being the only street lighting organisation in the UK to reach the finals of the Association of Public Service Excellence awards."

The report to committee recommends that the partnership be extended to 2012 and that further discussions take place with Angus Council to encourage the local authority to become part of the partnership.