Another update during the COVID-19 emergency

Further update - for Sunday 19th April – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End)​ and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)

FURLOUGH SCHEME EXTENDED 

The Job Retention Scheme is being extended by one month to reflect continuing social distancing measures.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-extends-furlough-scheme-to-end-of-june

GET EMERGENCY CARE

The number of people attending Emergency Departments has dropped. Some seriously unwell patients are delaying coming to hospital or dialling 999. If you need help don’t wait.

MEDICINES

The advice is to please follow your normal repeat prescription ordering pattern and only order the medicines you need as there are no issues with the supply of medicines so there is no reason to stockpile.

Due to significant demand being placed on local pharmacies, some will close for short periods, or operate reduced opening hours.  NHS Inform has a complete list of local pharmacies at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/pharmacies

Prescriptions may take longer to process because of the additional workload on pharmacies.

PETS 

New advice relating to owners of pets, companion animals and livestock who may be required to self-isolate as part of government advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) is available https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-animal-owners/

Dundonians urged to maintain mental health

Dundee City Council has launched a new social media campaign urging people to look after their mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative offers advice and sources of information such as helpline numbers.

It is reminding people who may be experiencing difficulties of organisations including Breathing Space (0800 83 85 87), Samaritans (116 123) and Childline (0800 1111).

Online help is also available at www.suicidehelp.co.uk, www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/suicide and www.dundeehealth.co.uk/content/coronavirus

DOMESTIC ABUSE

There is concern that domestic abuse may increase during the lockdown.  You can access help here:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/advice-for-victims-of-crime/domestic-abuse/

EXERCISE

New advice on travelling to exercise has been issued by the police in England.  We have checked and it does not apply to Scotland. The advice continues to be to only exercise from your own home.

SUPERMARKETS

For Sainsbury customers who do not have access to the internet they offer a telephone order service - 0800 917 8557.

Scottish Community Councils

A website has been providing useful links for community councils that offer advice, information, funding and resources to help during Covid-19.  This is available at www.communitycouncils.scot/information-on-coronavirus-for-community-councils.html 

Support offered to unemployed from Barnardo's

16-29, Living in Dundee, unemployed and needing help to prepare for the job market? If Yes, Barnardo's can help you with their Employability Pathway programme and Barnardo's Best programme.

Participants will be allocated a Project Worker who will take them through the registration process; create a clear action plan which will consider the above support areas plus any barriers to employment getting in the participant's way to securing and sustaining employment, and also provide them with virtual training and support in vocational areas such as CV writing, job search skills, completing application forms and preparing for interviews.

Further enquiries can be sent to dundee.pathway@barnardos.org.uk or barnardosworkstayside@barnardos.org.uk

Social Security Scotland – devolved benefits

The Scottish Government has temporarily changed eligibility for a number of Social Security Scotland’s benefits. This is to help people who are impacted by coronavirus and can’t get an application in on time - due to illness or caring responsibilities - to still get the support that they need.   

Read more at www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/news/making-sure-people-impacted-by-covid-19-get-our-support 

INFORMATION

UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications

Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news

Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19

Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care:  People in Dundee on the shielded list only - 0300 123 1403.  People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list - 0800 111 4000

NHS Inform www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk 

Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.

Health Protection Scotland Guidance www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19

Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus

Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.

Ready Scotland Information - www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus

Tayside Cares - www.taysidecares.co.uk 

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.

CONTACT DETAILS

WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson

Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)

E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk

Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend

Marie Curie Information and Support

From Marie Curie :

If you, or someone you know, is affected by a terminal illness and concerned about coronavirus (COVID-19), our Support Line team are ready to help with the information you need when you need it.

Call free 0800 090 2309 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Your calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.) You can also find more information on our website here.

Support provided across the whole of the UK. 

Latest update during the COVID-19 emergency

Further update - for Friday 17th April – from Councillors Fraser Macpherson

(West End) and Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)

NEW SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS

Around £220 million of further grants are being made available for businesses.

The Scottish Government measures include £120 million to extend the Small Business Grant scheme to ensure that, in addition to a 100% grant on the first property, small business rate payers will be eligible to a 75% grant on all subsequent properties.

A £100 million fund is also being made available to protect self-employed people and viable micro and SME businesses. This fund will be channelled through local authorities and enterprise agencies to target newly self-employed people and businesses who are ineligible for other Scottish Government or UK Government schemes.

Applications will be open by the end of the month, and the new arrangements for the Small Business Grant will be in place to receive applications on 5 May.

https://www.gov.scot/news/additional-support-for-business/

SUMMARY OF CORONAVIRUS (SCOTLAND) ACT 2020

A summary of the key measures contained within the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 which came into force on Tuesday, 7 April can be accessed at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-stakeholders-on-the-coronavirus-scotland-act-2020/.     The guidance for is primarily for central and local government and public bodies but will be of interest to a wider audience too.

STUDENT DECISIONS

Prospective university and college students are being reassured that they will receive their results on time, and universities and colleges will assess those qualifications as part of the admissions process. Universities are also being urged to observe a moratorium on changing offers made to undergraduate students. The UCAS May deadlines are being extended by two weeks to give students more time to make decisions about their future.

https://www.gov.scot/news/reassurance-for-students-during-coronavirus-outbreak/ 

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

After Willie Rennie MSP asked the First Minister to increase mental health support during the pandemic, we are pleased that new support is now available. It includes an investment of more than £1 million towards the expansion of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme to help people in distress. People who are in distress but do not need clinical intervention will be referred to the DBI programme by frontline staff, including NHS 24.

DONATE PPE

Medical Supply Drive UK (Scotland) is a voluntary organisation started by medics and medical students to free up dormant supplies of PPE for front line health workers. Local man Michael Farrell is volunteering for them. Do you have Personal Protective Equipment that you could donate to frontline NHS staff?

https://www.medsupplydrive.org.uk/scotland/

https://www.facebook.com/medsupplydriveuk/

CORONOVIRUS TESTING CAPACITY CALL

The UK government is requesting industry involvement in the manufacture of Coronavirus testing capacity and testing kits.   Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce is kindly amongst those spreading the word with its members and sharing the specification criteria.     Businesses who meet this specification should review the guidance on helping the government increase testing capacity and register at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business.  

COVID-19 – BUSINESS HUB

Alison Henderson, Chief Executive of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce  advises – “The Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce Covid-19 Hub is an information & signposting service for ANY business looking to understand how the current situation impacts them, their staff and their future. At this time, we make no distinction between a member or non-member business looking for our support. To get our business and communities through this crisis will mean a partnership approach and there is no wrong door to helping a business access the support they need, or to see them survive. There of course remain many membership services that are only accessible to our members and we will continue to use every avenue at our disposal to maintain our strong community and  to be a trusted partner to businesses across Dundee & Angus. Please call us on 01382 228545 if we can help."

Cycles for Key Workers

SUSTRANS has launched 'Cycles for Key Workers', a single online map helping key workers find free and discounted cycles, equipment, and bike-sharing schemes as well as repair and maintenance services in their local area.

SUSTRANS is calling on the cycling industry, local authorities and professional bodies representing an occupation that the government has defined as key, to get involved and support the campaign to help key workers travel safely during the crisis.

The online map is accessible at https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/cycles-for-key-workers/ 

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.

CONTACT DETAILS

WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson

Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)

E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk

Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend

Young Carers Shopping e-card

Dundee Carers Centre has developed an electronic shopping card for young carers who have responsibilities for shopping and/or picking up medication for family members. The card entitles young carers to access supermarkets and pharmacies during protected times.

The launch, the first of its kind for young carers in Scotland, has already attracted interested from other carer organisations, with some hoping to create their own versions.

So far, we have issued 20 e-cards to young carers and continue to take referrals.

If you are a young carer and have a responsibility for shopping and/or collecting medication on behalf of someone you care for, please contact Dundee Carers Centre on 200422 or email centre@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk.

Latest Friends of Wighton update!

From Sheena Wellington :

Hello everyone, I hope you are fit and well!  

We can’t invite you to the Wighton at the moment but we can invite you to enjoy the music some of our friends are providing online

First up, the great Thursday evening session at the Fisherman’s Tavern, Broughty Ferry, has gone digital and international.    It can be enjoyed at your leisure so catch it here.

And from our PhD student Mary-Jannet Leith and partner Thomas Allery :  

"#Ensemble Hesperi at Home - LIVE lunchtime concert series every Friday!

Having mainly figured out how to live stream, Tom and I will be giving a live concert every Friday lunchtime at 1pm from our little West London living room. Having reviewed the various options for platforms, we have decided to go 'live' on Facebook, rather than Twitter as previously advertised.

As far as we understand, you don't need to have a Facebook account to watch - just head to here and we should, fingers crossed, be there.

We'll be performing for about half an hour, and chatting a bit about what we're up to, so please join us - it would be great to see you! There will be some Scottish Baroque, Handel, Fontana, Geminiani, Sammartini and some live chat if that turns out to be possible."

Hands Up for Trad are also trialling a Hands Up for Trad Afternoon Show which goes out twice a week live on their Facebook page with live interviews and videos. If you can't make it along at 2pm you can always watch later!

In May Feis Rois are having a virtual festival here.

Enjoy, keep safe and we’ll see you sometime!

Latest bus services update

With grateful thanks to Suzy Scott, the dundeebuses.info website has been updated again to reflect the fast moving buses situation during the current health emergency.

You can read the latest update by clicking here.

Getting things done - Abbotsford Place #dundeewestend

As residents will gather, much of my large amount of current contact from constituents at present is around issues related to the current health emergency and I am always very pleased to assist anyone in the West End in any way I can.

I would, however, add that day to day issues unrelated to the current COVID-19 emergency continue and I am happy to report these.   Residents do appreciate that non-urgent matters will be attended to by council departments after the current health emergency has passed.

Residents have reported to me the need for a wee repair required to one of the street signs in Abbotsford Place :

As one resident put it, "On a lighter note perhaps when we get back to some normality we can have our street sign correctly spelt?       It reminded me when the Loons Road one was redone the foot of the road was Loon's Road."

I have reported the sign to the Roads Maintenance Partnership and it will be attended to once services return to more of a degree of normality after the health emergency is hopefully passed.

Latest update during the COVID-19 emergency

Further update - for Sunday 12th April 2020 from Councillor Fraser Macpherson and Councillor Craig Duncan :

SHIELDING

After some delay and technical problems with the text service, steps have been taken to protect people with the highest clinical risk - the ‘shielded’ group.

144,000 people have now been sent a letter. As people are newly diagnosed, or if clinicians feel it is required, the NHS will continue to add to the central list.

Councils, GPs and health boards will be told who is on the shielding central list.

The letter invites them to register by text.  Over 24 000 people have registered so far. 

Those in the ‘shielded’ group can request grocery boxes to be sent to them, free of charge. Dundee contact number - 0300 123 1403 (08:30 to 17:00).  The out of hours urgent requests number is 01382 307964.

Supermarkets will provide priority delivery slots starting this coming week. People who have registered for the SMS service were sent a text on the 9th April asking if they would like their details passed to the supermarkets.  Thousands have signed up already. 

NHS STAFF LISTENING SERVICE

A new Staff Listening Service is available and provides a space for staff to confidentially reflect on their experience and consider how the current situation affects them personally and professionally voice their concerns, worries and hopes without criticism.

FINANCE

There’s new guidance for mortgage providers on payment holidays for consumers in financial difficulties and use of repossession during this period: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/pressreleases/new-guidance-mortgage-providers-lenders-coronavirus  

There’s also measures for a temporary payment freeze on loans and credit cards and enabling customers with an existing arranged overdraft to request from their provider that up to £500 is provided interest free for up to three months: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-proposes-temporary-financial-reliefcustomers-impacted-coronavirus

Advice on scams https://www.fca.org.uk/news/news-stories/avoid-coronavirus-scams

Advice on home, travel and car insurance: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-sets-outexpectations-general-insurance-firms-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic

STUDENTS

£5 million is now available to help support any university and college student struggling as a result of Covid-19 - including those attending private institutions.  University and college students will be able to apply for any emergency discretionary payments directly to their own institutions.

INFORMATION

UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications

Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news

Dundee City Council updates:  www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19 

Dundee community support :   www.dundeecity.gov.uk/community-support-%26-helpline 

NHS Inform information – COVID 19:    https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus 

Federation of Small Businesses: fsb.org.uk/coronavirus

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.

CONTACT DETAILS

WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson

Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)

E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk

Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend

A very Happy Easter

Library service update

A helpful update from Leisure and Culture Dundee :

New to our RBDigital Service – free access to full text of thousands of newspapers from over 100 countries every day.

Local newspapers The Courier and Dundee Evening Telegraph are included and with a press of a button you can even translate foreign language favourites from their original language into more than 16 alternatives.

Existing Dundee Library RBDigital Users

Sign in to your RBDigital Account here http://dundee.rbdigitalglobal.com/home

Scroll down to Newspapers and press Access to be directed to the unlimited newspaper collection.

Or if you use the RBDigital App simply log out and back in with the username and password you created. Select Newspapers from the Menu bar and click the Checkout then Access buttons to be directed to the unlimited newspaper collection.

New to Dundee Library RBDigital?

Create an account using your library card number and PIN through our website

or

Download the free RBDigital App to your device, choose library service Leisure & Culture Dundee then enter your library card and other requested details to create an account. Read the quick start up guide.

I'm not a library member, can I join?

If you haven’t been a library member before, or it’s been a while, then this is the time to develop your reading habit. Join online for free and access a wide range of digital reading via our RBDigital and BorrowBox services.

We will look forward to meeting you in person and upgrading your membership once normal service resumes.

Lockdown gardening channel on YouTube

If you are wondering how to go about gardening without being able to get out and about then Kate, who is Community Allotments Officer at the Council, has set up a Lockdown Gardening channel on YouTube. 

It has lots of great tips on growing your own veg using items from around the house, so do check it out here.

Update from our friends at Feeling Strong

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are radically pivoting the work we do, providing community relief through 'Food & Care Packages', as well as moving our peer support service to a 'Video/Text Chat' model. We've also put together a one stop-shop site for COVID guidance, information, activities and local updates. We think we could make a really big difference in the community, so please share the below to support some of the most vulnerable people in Dundee.

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Feeling Strong are delivering 'Food & Care Packages' to those who are self-isolating as a result of COVID-19. These packages will provide vital products such as food, drinks and sanitary products that people who are self-isolating may not be able to get themselves, and the allocation of the packages will be conducted on a needs assessed basis. As an exception to Feeling Strong's normal services, the food packages are available to all ages. At a time like this we need to come together as a community and help those in need!

If you are in need of any of these items please fill out this form: http://foodpackage.feelingstrong.co.uk/

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Feeling Strong's Text Chat or Video Chat Service is a chance for young people (8-26) who live, work or study in Dundee to:

• Receive Peer Support from members of our team

• Talk about the difficulties of isolation, and ask for a food/care package to be delivered to you

• Talk about your mental health, recovery and self-care

• Learn about our services and what other mental health activities are going on in Dundee

• Meet other people who have lived experience of mental health and wellbeing challenges

We're open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1500-1800. Once you book an appointment we will send you a link to you with the details of how to join the video chat, which you can do here: book.feelingstrong.co.uk

Please Note: Young people aged 12 or under need to be accompanied by an adult. Feeling Strong is not an advice service, counselling, listening or therapy - we offer peer support.

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We've just launched a new website providing COVID-19 support! Check it out to access 👇

💜 Our latest services

💜 Latest NHS & local news

💜 Links & advice to help maintain mental health

💜 Suggestions of isolation activities

covid.feelingstrong.co.uk

Online Museum Resources

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :

Our museums and galleries may now be closed due to the current emergency but we’re still working hard to ensure online access to our amazing collections and activities. 

Hopefully many of you have been following our social media posts on Facebook at UoDMuseums and on Twitter @UoD_Museums. We’ve now set up a webpage to bring together our various digital resources here.

Here’s a taster of what’s currently on offer:

• Short films by the curator exploring some of the highlights of our collections

• Our popular colouring sheets from the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum now available as pdfs for your to print and use at home

• Hi-res images for you to use as virtual backgrounds for your online meetings

• A curated selection of some of the best DJCAD animation films

• And as we’re currently unable to process orders from our online shop, we’ve made a selection of our publications available online absolutely free  

The site also provides links to existing digital content such as our online museum database, our 3D scans of zoology specimens and a virtual tour of the Zoology Museum. And we’ll be adding more content in the coming weeks so keep checking back!

Virtual Spring Flower Show!

Following the cancellation of the Dundee Daffodil Group’s Spring Flower Show and to maintain contact amongst members and provide a little competition and fun, the group has decided to try and run a virtual flower show.  

The show is open to all, free of charge and there will be no prize money or trophies awarded. 

The competition will have limited classes and will be judged by Hazel Elder with first, second and third places being awarded.

Rules and Guidance

1. The competition is free of charge and open to all.

2. The exhibitor must have grown all entries.

3. Exhibitors can only enter one exhibit per class.

4. All cultivars to be named where possible.

5. The exhibits must be staged and photographed on Friday 10th April.

6. Exhibits can be staged in any vases /jam jars etc that the exhibitor has available, vases are not provided.

7. Staging time/time for the submission of photographs is between 9am and 10pm on Friday 10th April 2020.

8. All photographs to be emailed to dundeedaffodilgroup@outlook.com  by 10pm on Friday 10th of April. Photographs should be close ups and as clear as possible to assist judging.

9. The email should contain the attached photographs indicating the class entered, along with the entrant’s name and town of residence. Exhibitor numbers will be allocated to the photographs prior to judging.

10. The competition will be judged on Saturday and the entry photographs and results posted on Facebook as soon as possible after judging has been completed.

11. Dundee Daffodil Group-Spring Show, Facebook page has been created, all photographs will be displayed on this open page, highlighting the first, second and third places. Names (initial and surname) and town of residence only will be displayed for the placed entries. 

See more at the Dundee Daffodil Group - Spring Show Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dundeedaffodil.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 APRIL 2020

Nablus Avenue (at the rising bollard) – closed overnight (7.00pm – 6.00am) on Wednesday 8 April for Scottish Water manhole repair works.

Another update during the COVID-19 emergency

Further update - for Sunday 5th April 2020 from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)

Sadly, the last few days have seen yet more cases of Coronavirus in Scotland and more deaths across the country.    That makes it all the more important that we all continue to :

• stay at home

• only go outside for essential food, health and work reasons

• stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people

• wash our hands regularly                                                              

• wash our hands as soon as we get home

Doing this will help slow the spread of Coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives.

ChatterPack 

A list of free, online, boredom-busting resources at the ChatterPack blog has published a fantastic list of free online resources to help tackle boredom. Amongst many other things, this includes virtual tours, games, arts and culture, literature, online learning and music. Find out more at https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home

Pay using contactless if you can

The World Health Organisation advice is to pay in shops using a contactless card whenever possible to reduce the amount of cash people handle. Helpfully, on 1st April, the limit for contactless payments in the UK increased from £30 to £45. It will though take some time for this to roll out to all retailers. If you do handle banknotes, WHO advice is to wash your hands immediately afterwards.

Watch out for fake news

Fake news or misinformation about Coronavirus is flooding the internet. For the latest accurate information check NHS Inform at https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

You can also check whether "news" shared online is true by checking whether major news providers such as the BBC, STV, ITV or Sky are reporting it.     There’s an explanatory video from the BBC at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-52118949/coronavirus-how-can-you-stop-the-spread-of-misinformation.

Revised bus and rail timetables

The lockdown has meant big changes to bus and rail timetable. The links below take you to the latest information from the bus and rail companies:

• Xplore Dundee :  https://nxbus.co.uk/dundee/information/service-alerts/covid19-service-updates

• Stagecoach : https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-30/03/2020-13:03:57:907

• ScotRail : https://www.scotrail.co.uk/coronavirus-travel-information

Personal finance support 

The Financial Conduct Authority has proposed a range of targeted temporary measures designed as a stopgap to quickly support users of certain consumer credit products who are facing a financial impact because of the coronavirus.  After a short consultation it is intended the measures would start by 9th April 2020.  The measures are: 

•            A temporary payment freeze on loans and credit cards where consumers face difficulties with their finances as a result of coronavirus, for up to three months.

•            Ensure that for customers who have been hit financially by the coronavirus and already have an arranged overdraft on their main personal current account, up to £500 will be charged at zero interest for up to three months.

•            Overdraft customers will be no worse off on price when compared to the prices they were charged before the recent overdraft changes came into force.

•            Ensure consumers using any of these temporary measures should not have their credit rating affected because of this.

https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-proposes-temporary-financial-relief-customers-impacted-coronavirus

Business Gateway - Dundee 

Business Gateway has produced a list of support that is available to businesses can be downloaded as a PDF from the link at https://www.bgateway.com/resources/finance-and-grant-announcements.     It includes information on all business funding and grants made available during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It is being updated daily so please check back for further updates. 

Business Gateway Dundee contact details can be found at https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/dundee/local-support 

Support and advice

This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.

CONTACT DETAILS

WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson

Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)

E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk

Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend

Getting things done - Speed Street #dundeewestend

I recently received complaints from residents about potholes in Speed Street.

I reported these to the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership who advised :

"An order has been raised to repair two potholes in Speed Street."

The work here was undertaken immediately before the current COVID-19 health emergency which has meant non-essential works are being delayed.

Getting things done - Blackness Library #dundeewestend

Residents will be aware that I have previously asked for the railings of Blackness Library to be repainted - this is badly needing done.

In principle, it was agreed the Community Payback Team would do this, and I recently asked for an update on timescale.

I have now received this helpful response from the Project Manager :

"Due to reduced staffing in my team, client numbers and the amount of work we have on our list (most of which are projects requiring several months' work) we were unable to carry out any work to the railings.  We are now in a better position to commence the work. 

We're looking at April until work can begin due to the weather but it is on my schedule for then. We'll also be meeting on site to discuss the work."

This response was received immediately prior to the COVID-19 health emergency and, clearly, the April timescale is now not possible.   However, it is good to know the work will be carried out in due course.

Road surface - Seafield Road #dundeewestend

As residents know, I have long campaigned to have the poor conditioned road surface of Seafield Road improved.

I am therefore pleased to have been advised by the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership, in reply to my lastest e-mail regarding this, as follows :

"Seafield Road has been identified for inclusion in future carriageway resurfacing schemes, provisionally 2020-2021 subject to budget availability."

Temporary traffic order - Nablus Avenue

From the City Council :

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1)

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of Scottish Water manhole repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Nablus Avenue (at the rising bollard), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Wednesday 8th April at 7pm until Thursday 9th April 2020 at 6am.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

No alternative routes are available.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council