Call for white ‘H’ advisory markings

I continue to be contacted by residents in the vicinity of the Grove Academy/Eastern Primary School campus about obstructions at their driveways caused by inconsiderate parking. Although the council continues to monitor the area and has taken action to deal with some situations, such as the pinch point in Albert Gardens where extended double yellow lines are proposed, there doesn’t appear to be much that the council can do to stop vehicles parking so close to a driveway that the sightlines are impeded and the space available to manoeuvre is restricted.

 

However some properties, in Albert Road for instance and elsewhere, have courtesy ‘H’ white lines extending across their driveways drawing attention to the need to keep these areas clear and by and large they are observed. Those in Albert Road were provided by the council a number of years ago to deal with parking issues associated with Grove Academy and are refreshed by the council when they become faded. You have probably seen them in various locations around Dundee where there is heavy demand for on-street parking. Since the opening of the new Grove Academy and the relocation of Eastern Primary school I have repeatedly asked for these courtesy lines to be provided at the other properties that are having difficulties, most noticeably at the western end of Albert Road.

 

Unfortunately the City Development Department always responds that it can’t agree to further white H markings as these are no longer supported by police or parking enforcement and with very restricted revenue budgets for new schemes and maintenance it would be difficult to reintroduce the widespread use of them.

 

I intend to contact the Chief Executive of Dundee City Council to ask if he will agree to review this matter and perhaps allow new markings to be provided where it is clear that there are repeated and on-going problems, especially around the Grove/Eastern campus.

Public bodies spend thousands ringing the speaking clock

More than £14,000 of taxpayers’ money has been spent phoning the speaking clock over the past five years, the Scottish Conservatives have revealed. Councils, health boards and the Scottish Government all spent public money ringing the 123 number since 2008/9.

The problem is getting worse, with last year totalling a record high of £5,437 – a more than six-fold increase from five years ago. Some organisations have put a block on the number, with the Scottish Conservatives calling on others to do the same.The Freedom of Information request revealed local authorities have spent £12,947 in the last five years calling the speaking clock, while health boards have amassed £1,551 worth of calls.

I was disappointed to discover that Dundee City Council is on the list having spent £63.75 in 2012-13, with figures for previous years not available. Since receiving this information I have contacted the council’s Chief Executive requesting confirmation that the speaking clock number has now been blocked from all council land lines and mobiles.

Even the Scottish Government has recorded use of the number, spending £30.78 since 2008/9. The true figure is likely to be far higher with some councils and NHS boards unable to provide the information. Among the councils, the biggest spenders were North Ayrshire (£2,206), while NHS Lanarkshire spent the most among health boards. Worryingly, the total of £5,437 in 2012/13 was at least £2,000 higher than any of the previous years. According to BT, it costs 31p to call the speaking clock from a landline telephone. 

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont MSP said:  “The total amount may be small in comparison to overall public budgets, but it’s still a hideous waste of money. With clocks on mobile phones and computers, there has never been less of a need to call the speaking clock. Yet it seems to be occurring more and more, and it beggars belief that more councils and health boards have not put a block on this. If staff are calling 123 as a distraction tactic when the boss is around, that’s even more inexcusable.

“This waste of taxpayers’ money is the sort of thing that infuriates the public, and undermines savings being made elsewhere in these organisations. The worst offenders have to explain why this is happening so frequently, and what action is going to be taken to address it.”

Traffic issues Forthill

This week I have raised a number of traffic and pedestrian safety issues with the council; three in particular in the Forthill area. The first is on Nursery Road at Forthill Drive.   I am aware that there have been a few occasions in recent months of vehicles ignoring the lollipop man at this location and residents of the nearby sheltered housing have spoken to me about the difficulty they sometimes have in crossing the road to access the bus stop due to the speed of traffic. 

A few years ago the council agreed to my request to install a pedestrian refuge at this location but I think additional measures are now required. In response to my enquiry the council’s head of transportation said:

‘I will arrange to carry out a review of the existing traffic signs and if there is the requirement for additional signage this will be considered for inclusion within a future minor works programme.  I will also advise Police Scotland of the observation of vehicle speeds in order for them to take any necessary action.’

Concern has also been expressed about vehicular movements in Forthill Drive at Forthill Place, which can be used to access the pedestrian entrance at the rear of Forthill Primary School. In response to this enquiry the head of transportation told me:

‘Due to car ownership and the narrowness of the roads at this location there is a high demand for parking spaces, which is exacerbated at school times.  Any parking restrictions will have an impact on residents as well as parents and visitors, therefore at this moment in time my preference is not to install any double yellow lines to restrict parking for the residents further but will arrange to monitor the situation for what may be a short term problem.

'Following the monitoring period we may reconsider and place a section of double yellow lines for junction protection in this residential estate, or other short term parking restrictions to discourage short term parking associated with the school.’

Forthill Road at Fintry Place

Residents of Forthill Road have asked me if anything can be done to combat the congestion that is caused in their street due to the drop off/pick up at Forthill Primary School’s main entrance. It has worsened in recent weeks with parking on both sides of the road causing a problem.  In response to this enquiry the head of transportation said:

‘With the introduction of the part time prohibition in Fintry Place for Forthill Primary School this prevented cars entering to park in this section of Fintry Place.  There was always the risk if parents insist on driving to the school then vehicles would be displaced to adjacent streets which may have an impact on local residents. There is no immediate easy solution and any additional yellow lines are likely to be unwelcome by residents who will find them to be inconvenient more than a benefit as they will restrict the ability for themselves and visitors to park near their homes.’

Brook Street pavement reconstruction works

I have previously reported that the pavement on the south of Brook Street between Lawrence Street and Brown Street is to be resurfaced early in the New Year. I have now been notified that work is programmed to commence on Wednesday 15 January 2014 and will last for approximately 2 weeks.  This footway reconstruction is most welcome as it is a very busy location and I get a lot of complaints about its condition. The contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.
 

The council has issued a letter to the owner/occupiers of the nearby properties advising them of the arrangements. It indicates that in the interest of public safety a one way closure is to be implemented and westbound vehicular traffic will be diverted via Fort Street, King Street and Church Street for the duration of the works.

 

On street parking directly adjacent to the works will be closed but parking will still be allowed on the north side of Brook Street. Vehicular, delivery access will be maintained to properties, although vehicular traffic movements are requested to be kept to a minimum and minor delays may be encountered during some phases of the works.

 

 Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout the works.

Broughty Ferry Conservation Area Appraisal

Dundee City Council is inviting comments on the terms and content of the draft Broughty Ferry Conservation Area Appraisal.   All comments must be received by 24th January 2014. The outcome of the consultation exercise will be reported to the City Development Committee for approval as a material planning consideration.

Copies of the Broughty Ferry Conservation Area Appraisal document can be viewed on-line at: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/citydevelopment/listedbuildingsconservationareas or at Broughty Ferry Library, Central Library and the reception of Dundee House.

You are requested to send your comments in writing to; City Development Department, Development Management, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS, marked “Consultation Response – Broughty Ferry Conservation Area Appraisal” or alternately emailed to conservationareas@dundeecity.gov.uk. Should you wish to discuss the content of the draft proposal you can contact Gary Knox, Conservation Officer, Tel 01382 433414.

Conservation areas are areas of special architectural and/or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The purpose of a conservation area is to ensure that new development or alterations will not have a negative impact on the existing character of the area.

When an item came to the City Development Committee seeking consent to consult on the Broughty Ferry conservation appraisal I suggested slightly extending the proposed boundary to include parts of Broughty Ferry which I believe to be typical of the existing character of the area and would sit comfortably within the Broughty Ferry Conservation Area, such as taking in more of The Esplanade to include The Glass Pavilion.

If you have a few spare moments please have a look at the consultation document and let the City Development Department know what you think about it.

EU membership letter

Alex Salmond has been caught red-handed presenting an out-of-date letter to Parliament in a desperate attempt to back up his claims on EU membership. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP has challenged the First Minister to explain whether his failure to mention a clarification letter from the European Commission contradicting his position was a muddle or a fiddle.

The correspondence states that a separate Scotland would not automatically become a member of the EU. Ruth said it was the third time the First Minister had misled the people of Scotland over Europe, branding him the “Pinocchio of Scottish politics”. Two weeks ago in the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister attempted to use a letter from an EC official - taken from a pro-independence website - to assert a newly independent Scotland would bypass the ordinary application process to gain membership.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson today asked Alex Salmond why he ignored the subsequent letter sent by the Commission that said the opposite was true. The correspondence was received by the independent Scottish Parliamentary Information Service (SPICe) at the beginning of November and stated that the EC’s position on accepting new states remains unchanged. It repeats the view of EC President José Manuel Barroso that any country breaking away from a member state would cease to be part of the EU and would have to reapply for membership. It comes after Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, said that if Scotland left the UK it “will be left outside the EU” and would have to re-apply subject to negotiation with the 28 member states. The foreign ministers of Latvia, Ireland and the Czech Republic have also warned that if Scotland left the UK, the country would not have a seamless continuation into Europe.

The revelations over the two EC letters come after Alex Salmond previously claimed he had legal advice on Europe when none actually existed. His attempts to keep this fact from the public resulted in a court case, which cost the taxpayer almost £20,000.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said: “Two weeks ago, the First Minister stood up in the Scottish Parliament and made an amateur attempt to back up his claims on EU membership by producing a letter he found on the internet. Now, he has been caught red-handed presenting an out-of-date letter to Parliament, conveniently ignoring a later one from the European Commission which blows apart his policy that Scotland would be fast-tracked into the EU.

“It seems extraordinary to imagine that Scotland’s First Minister would rather browse the internet for answers than check the Parliament for official information, or even contact the Commission direct himself. That is because he would be faced with the inconvenient truth that an independent Scotland would have to negotiate entry into the European Union from the outside. This would mean the opt-outs we currently have, such as the Euro and secure border controls, may no longer apply.

“Three times now, Alex Salmond has misled the public over what an independent Scotland’s position would be within the EU. The First Minister is the Pinocchio of Scottish politics, every time he speaks on Europe his nose grows another inch. If people can’t trust the First Minister on this important issue, how can they trust a word that comes out of his mouth.”

Council committee meetings

At tonight’s meeting of the Education Committee authority was given to the director of education to consult with stakeholders on revised guidelines on enrolment and placing requests in primary and secondary schools. Until now, at transition to secondary school, pupils have been prioritised first on the basis that they attend an associated primary school. It is proposed to change this so that children will be prioritised first for admission based on whether they live in the catchment area of the school.

The City Development Committee agreed a tender of £14,100,020 to construct and complete the major roads of the central waterfront development and associated infrastructure. The roads include the northern and southern boulevards and the interconnecting grid of streets along with all the various traffic signals and services. The project also includes the construction of the public open space.

It was reported to committee that the works on the formation of the new box office in City Square are complete and that the intention is to locate the tourist information office here as well.

The Policy and Resources Committee was informed of plans for improvements and additions to the conferencing facilities at Caird Hall. Funding of £942,500 for a first phase of works was approved which comprises of alterations to the redundant housing department offices in Shore Terrace below the main auditorium to form a series of new meeting rooms and offices which will be directly accessible from Caird Hall. These will provide a flexible space of additional breakout facilities which major conferences require.  It is anticipated that a second phase will be brought forward at a later date to provide a dedicated exhibition hall, but this will be dependant on the outcome of a review of all the available space within the Caird Hall complex.

On a more local level the Environment Committee agreed to some play area improvements which include replacing worn climbing nets and the broken sand digger at Castle Green and the topping up of the woodchip safety surface at Orchar Park.

The Policy and Resources Committee also agreed to the allocation of £10,000 to the Ferry ward from the Community Regeneration Fund.

Dundee Conservatives Christmas Lunch

After my morning surgeries yesterday I attended the Christmas Lunch organised by Dundee Conservatives. The guest speaker was Struan Stevenson MEP, who gave a very interesting and passionate talk on, amongst other subjects, Kurdistan and in particular the gradual erosion of Iraq's ancient Christian community which has now dwindled from 1.5 million to an estimated 300,000.

Struan, who chairs the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq, travelled to Erbil in Kurdistan at the end of November, where he met with the Kurdistan Regional Government's President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. Struan told us that one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, which can trace its origins back to the time of Christ, now faces extinction because of bombings, assassinations and kidnappings. 

He talked about the plight of refugees from the civil war in Syria and the need for aid and said that the EU must stop sending financial aid to Baghdad, where it simply disappears. Instead it must be given directly to the NGOs who are actively helping the Syrian refugees in Iraq.

Struan has represented Scotland in the European Parliament since 1999. He is standing down at next year’s European Parliament election. Ian Duncan, who won a ballot of Scottish Conservative Party members, is to replace Struan at the top of the Scottish Conservative Party list.

New Broughty Ferry book

A new history book entitled "The Memory of Broughty Ferry" has been published to mark the centenary of the annexation of the burgh of Broughty Ferry by the city of Dundee.

The book was co-authored by Hugh Begg and Chris and Nancy Davey. It covers a wide range of stories relating to Broughty Ferry's history. Others have submitted chapters, including my former councillor colleague Charlie Webster.

It runs to 100 pages and is published on a non-profit making basis. Copies are £6 each and are available in Broughty Ferry at McDonald the Stationer, Eduardo Alessandro Gallery and Broughty Ferry castle and in Dundee at McManus Gallery.

Funding for The Ferry ward

There is a report coming before the next meeting of the council’s Policy and Resources Committee recommending community regeneration fund allocations for the year 2014/15. Previously six of Dundee’s electoral wards had projects funded from this budget but now all eight wards will receive something as the community planning partnerships in The Ferry and West End wards are to be allocated £10,000.

 Over the years I have argued that both of these areas should receive a share of the funding so I am pleased by this latest development. I know it will be put to good use.

Winter weather

During winter months Dundee City Council constantly monitors weather conditions and forecasts using modern ice prediction and thermal mapping systems. Gritting and ploughing vehicles are on standby to act as required.

In snow conditions:

Visit dundeecity.gov.uk/winterweather

Tune-in to local and national radio
Follow the council on twitter@dundeecouncil

Telephone enquiries to the council can be made using the Freephone number

0800 145 6897

Email: customerservices@dundeecity.gov.uk

In adverse conditions priority carriageways and footways are treated seven days a week. Priority routes are principal roads, other strategic routes, main service bus routes and other heavily used roads. Only when the priority routes have been adequately dealt with will resources be deployed on secondary routes and then cul de sacs.

Pavements are also categorised as priority and secondary routes. The priority routes cover educational establishments, main retail locations and main thoroughfares.

There are over 750 grit bins at locations such as steep gradients, bends, steps and sheltered housing. These will be refilled during the winter for use on a self help basis but should not be used for treating private property. Empty bins should be reported to customer services or online.

For information on trunk roads throughout Scotland telephone Traffic Scotland on 0800 028 1414 or visit its website trafficscotland.org

The latest winter maintenance leaflet with detailed information is on the council's website.

New street name required

I have been advised by the City Development Department that associated with the new development of flats on the lock up garage site at Churchill Place/East Links Place is a new road which will require a new street name.

The local councillors, community council and others have been asked to give this some consideration and forward any suggestions for names before Monday 16th December.

When a name has been chosen after consultation has been completed, it will be put to committee for approval.

Churchill Place was named after Lord Randolph Churchill, father of Winston, and Salisbury Place was named after the Conservative Prime Minister the Marquess of Salisbury. It might be an idea to name the new street after another eminent nineteenth century politician. It has also been suggested that  the name should incorporate “Sandy Hole” as this is what the area was know as by the local community.

Send me an email and let me know what you think? I will be happy to hear your suggestions.

North Barnhill Walkabout

This morning I attended a walkabout with the North Barnhill Residents Association which took in Abercromby Street, Aberdour Place and Abernethy Road. A number of local residents were present as well as the Ferry ward councillors and representatives from the police, housing department, city development department and environment department.

It was a good opportunity for the residents to engage with the various agencies and highlight issues that need some attention. These included things such as potholes, damaged utility covers, dog fouling, broken street name signs, overgrown shrub beds and litter.

 Estate walkabouts are organised by the housing department and are a good way of helping to maintain the well being of an area.

 Action points were recorded and updates will be provided at the next residents meeting.

White Paper must provide answers Scotland needs

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s launch of the Scottish Government’s White Paper on independence, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said:

“We benefit from being part of one of the world’s strongest economies and Scotland exports more to the rest of the UK than it does to the rest of the world combined.

“Tens of billions of pounds and hundreds of thousands of jobs rely upon our shared market and the stable currency we share with our neighbours in the UK.

"Through the Scottish Parliament, we enjoy control over health, education and justice matters, and more powers are on the way which will give us more responsibility over tax.

“At the same time, being part of the UK means we benefit from a fully funded pensions system while being protected by one of the most professional fighting forces in the world.

“Alex Salmond and the SNP want the people of Scotland to swap all this for an independence prospectus that has so far failed to answer key questions on currency, pensions, welfare and defence and whether taxes would go up or spending cut to pay for separation.

“His deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, has raised the bar by claiming the answers to all these questions and more will be in the White Paper.

“If the SNP fail to do this, the document will be nothing more than an uncosted wish-list.

“Taking Scotland out of the UK and unpicking the bonds that make us part of one of the most successful economic, political and social unions in the world is not like flicking a switch.

“It would be a complicated and uncertain process and Alex Salmond cannot simply gloss over the detail and claim that everything will be ok just because he says so.

 “This is the biggest decision Scotland has faced in 300 years and at the very least, people should be armed with all the facts on what an independent Scotland would look like.

 “It doesn’t matter how many pages the White Paper has, it must contain hard facts so people can make an informed decision on September 18.

 “Anything less than this, and Alex Salmond and the SNP will have failed voters desperately looking for answers on how they and their families will be affected by the break-up of the UK.

 “Only by renewing our place in the UK in 2014 can Scotland thrive and not merely survive.”

Pedestrian guardrail Panmurefield

I have been asked by local residents why there is no barrier protecting the pavement running parallel to the A92 at Panmurefield. It is directly behind the carriageway, which has a 40mph speed limit, and as the pavement is well used by pedestrians and cyclists I agree that it would be appropriate to install a pedestrian guardrail. I raised the matter with the City Development Department and the traffic engineers undertook an inspection of the Panmurefield roundabout section of the A92.

The council’s head of transportation has subsequently reported back to me to advise that with the existing layout arrangement it will not be possible to erect a new pedestrian guardrail set back 0.5m behind the kerbline and maintain a 1.8m wide footway for pedestrians, including wheel chair users and push chairs.  To erect a new section of pedestrian guardrail would also require the construction of a footway widening scheme to maintain a 1.8m wide footway.

I have been assured that the traffic engineers will continue to monitor this location and a pedestrian guardrail and footway widening scheme will be considered within a future minor improvement / road safety programme but will have to compete with other schemes within the available budgets.

Festive Fun in the Ferry

Broughty Ferry’s Christmas Lights Concert 2013 takes place tomorrow, Thursday 21 November, in Brook Street. Admission is free and it starts at 6pm with the Radio Tay Roadshow. There will be carol singing and musical entertainment from the Eastern Primary School Christmas Choir, Downfield Musical Society and a Jessie J tribute performance. Santa will be there with sweets for the children; there will be carnival rides, street entertainers, BBQ and mulled wine stalls and complimentary mince pies.

 

 The Christmas lights will be switched on by Dundee’s Lord Provost at 7pm.

 

 Many thanks to The Broughty Ferry Traders' Association for organising such a wonderful start to the festive period in Broughty Ferry.

Council meetings

I attended two council committees tonight; the Development Management Committee and the Policy and Resources Committee (Police, Fire and Community Safety).

There was only one planning application included in the agenda for the Development Management Committee and that was for permission to change the use of a shop premises on Dundee Road from retail to beauty salon. Residents of West Ferry will remember this shop when it operated as a newsagents.

The Policy and Resources Committee considered reports by Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland.

One of the reports provided information on the proposals for police public counters within Dundee which includes the removal of the provision at Longhaugh and Maryfield police stations and the reduction of opening hours at Lochee and Downfield police stations. I voted for a motion that would have seen Dundee City Council express its opposition to the proposed changes as I believe that a public counter provides an important link with the police in our communities. We haven't had a public counter facility at Broughty Ferry Police Station for some time and it is something that constituents quite often ask me about. The motion was unsuccessful as the SNP majority on the council didn't support it.

The Dundee local area policing report showed that the Ferry ward had by far the lowest number of crimes, however it also showed that the Ferry had the lowest rate of detected crimes in the reporting period. The committee was advised that this was due in part to there being fewer opportunities for detection (detecting a crime can often lead to the detection of further crimes) and that forensics can sometimes take a while to catch up with the reporting period. Acquisitive crime had impacted on the figures and the police said they are working hard to improve the position.

Clash of personalities hampered Police Scotland set-up

A report has revealed how “difficult relationships” between police and the Scottish Government at senior level hampered the establishment of a single force.

Audit Scotland has ordered the Scottish Government, the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to work on improving relations if it is to make progress on the future. In its ‘Police reform’ audit, the organisation said planning the national police force was “hampered” by “poor information, a lack of clarity about roles, and difficult relationships” between the three bodies.

Concerns were also raised about the lack of a long-term financial strategy, with auditors warning that some savings may need to be increased in future years.

As it stands, Police Scotland intends to save £1.1 billion by 2026, but Audit Scotland said it was far from clear how this would be achieved. The Scottish Government should carry out a “lessons learned” exercise following the move, the report said, it also expressed fears about savings estimates being based on an outline, rather than a full, business case.

The criticism comes weeks after Police Scotland announced it was to close station front counters right across the country, despite some facilities receiving thousands of visits from members of the public every year. Scottish Conservative justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell MSP said: 

“This is a damning report which reveals how egos at senior level threatened the whole process.

“That is a ludicrous state of affairs which should never have been allowed to happen.

“The Scottish Government needs to ensure people in all these organisations work together amicably, otherwise the benefits of a single force may never be realised.

“It is also astonishing that no long-term financial plan has been detailed.

“Clearly, if you state savings of more than £1 billion will be made in the space of little over a decade, then self- evidently you should be able to show how this is to be achieved.

“Given one of Police Scotland’s first moves was to shut down police stations to the public across the whole country and propose the closure of still more, the publication of this report hardly inspires confidence in the changes envisaged by those in charge.”

Council committee meetings

At tonight’s Environment Committee I welcomed the open space improvements being carried out in Broughty Ferry.

The Policy and Resources Committee received its usual monthly report on the grants made from the Community Regeneration Fund. I reminded members that I had previously been advised that a review would be carried out to see whether it would be possible to allocate some funding to The Ferry and West End wards and that the outcome would be reported to committee in December. I asked if this timescale would be met and the chief executive indicated that it would be. Hopefully it will result in some funding becoming available that local community groups in both of these areas can apply for.

The Policy and Resources Committee also agreed a collections development policy for Leisure and Culture Dundee. I was interested to read the overview of current collections which is very extensive and contains some wonderful items. Dundee has one of the best collections of Scottish paintings in the country. I mention this as it includes the only nineteenth century collection to survive in its entirety-the Orchar Collection- which of course was left for the benefit of the residents of Broughty Ferry by James Guthrie Orchar, a former Provost of Broughty Ferry.

Open space improvements

Tomorrow’s Environment Committee will be asked for approval to spend £100,000 of the Environment Department’s budget on public open space improvements across the city. In Broughty Ferry the following measures are proposed:

The large conifer hedge at the car park in Queen Street is to be reduced in height to approximately 7 ft.

At Castle Green there will be a redesign of the floral scheme to incorporate some sustainable plantings while reducing the bedding costs. The design will be in the shape of a dolphin.

There will also be a redesign of the bedding areas at Windmill Garden while retaining the wonderful colour within the area. The privet hedge will also be reduced in height allowing people to see into the garden from outside.

Some of the tired looking rose beds at Orchar Park are to be removed and replanted with sustainable plants which will reduce the maintenance costs.

Some substantial pruning will be carried out on the public footpath running from Inchkeith Avenue to Balmossie Street.

In north Barnhill some overgrown shrub areas will be removed and replanted or grassed over.

Road closures

I have been advised of another couple of road closures to allow for utility works. The driving of any vehicles in St Vincent Street (from Queen Street to Brook Street), will be prohibited by reason of openreach repair works being carried out. The notice comes into effect on Friday 15 November 2013 for 4 days. Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained. Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Queen Street / Gray Street / Brook Street.

Openreach works being carried out will prohibit the driving of any vehicle in Erskine Lane. This notice also comes into effect on Friday 15 November 2013 for 4 days. Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained. No alternative routes are available.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

Dog lead hooks Campfield Square

It was brought to my attention by a resident that there are no longer dog lead hooks at the shops in Campfield Square. There used to be some outside Iceland and also beside the Co-op and I was asked if these could be replaced. I wrote to the owner of the Square about it and I received an email today informing me that a contractor has been asked to source some new hooks. A simple issue but it will nevertheless be welcomed by those local residents who call in at the shops when out walking their dogs.

The Memory of Broughty Ferry

Tonight I attended an open evening of The Friends of Broughty Ferry Library where prizes and certificates were presented to the children who had entered the competition to come up with a logo for the group.

After the presentation Charlie Webster gave an interesting talk on Broughty Ferry and the fishing community which took on a special significance because Dundee’s boundaries were extended 100 years ago today by an Act of Parliament to include Broughty Ferry.

There is a wonderful report of a farewell dinner on page 93 of "The Dundee Year Book - facts and figures for 1913", published by John Leng & Co, Bank Street . It gives an account of the gathering held in the council chambers Broughty Ferry to mark the passing of the burgh as a separate municipality and mentions the toast proposed by the Provost shortly after midnight, The Memory of Broughty Ferry.

During 100 years of shared history, Broughty Ferry has retained its distinct identity and can righty claim to be the jewel in Dundee’s crown.

Plan to close police stations to public based on flawed figures

Alex Salmond’s case for closing police station front counters across Scotland is based on inaccurate information that is out of date. The First Minister has justified shutting the doors of stations based on the number of people using them but some of the footfall figures used by Alex Salmond date back to 2009 – before more than 60 were either closed completely or had their hours reduced.

It has also emerged that for some rural stations, a proper analysis was not even conducted to determine how well they were used by the public.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said this means the First Minister’s case for closing police stations to the public is based on flawed information several years out of date. She has now called on Alex Salmond to halt controversial plans to shut 65 police station front counters in communities across Scotland.

The First Minister has previously played down the significance of the public being able to walk in to their local police station to report a crime or to speak to an officer, insisting they can contact police using social media or by telephone.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said: “Alex Salmond has based his entire case for closing police stations to the public on the number of people walking through the front door.

“He points to footfall figures taken by the police over a four week period to justify his case for front desk closures.

“Yet, now we find from internal police documents that his figures are inaccurate, with some dating as far back as 2009.

“And the police’s own consultation document admits there was ‘no data available’ for how many people were using some rural stations.

“The SNP insisted the creation of a single police force would protect the frontline, but now we have a First Minister set to close police counters using out of date information that may not have been right in the first place.

“Alex Salmond needs to step in and halt these front desk closures immediately to protect communities across Scotland.”

Sculpture at Broughty Ferry Library back in place

At the end of August I reported that the sculpture at Broughty Ferry Library of the older gentleman sitting on a bench with a book, being approached by a cat, had been removed to repair the bench, which had some rot in it. 

I called in at the library today and I noticed that the sculpture has been returned. It has taken a while but it is good to see it back where it belongs. I’m grateful to the environment department and the community service team for carrying out the repair work.

Damaged drain Panmurefield Village

I was contacted by residents about a damaged drain in Panmurefield Village on the opposite side of the road from the Co-op. The Roads Maintenance Partnership made it safe during the summer with the use of sandbags and a sign was put in place to warn traffic. Since then nothing has happened and concern is growing about another nearby drain which looks as if it is starting to fail and also the condition of the carriageway.

I raised the matter at the start of this week with the appropriate council departments and in response I was advised that there is still some investigation work on-going into who has the maintenance responsibility as the ‘adoption’ process with the developer wasn’t completed and as such the road is not on the list of public roads. At present the liability doesn’t rest with Dundee City Council.

However the city engineer indicated that with public safety in mind works would be carried out by the Roads Maintenance Partnership. These include replacing the gully frame and lid at the damaged drain, resetting the other failing gully frame and lid, making safe the potholes, removing a pole stump and making safe the north footway at a telecoms cover. When I looked this morning work had commenced.

Carrying out these repairs does not place any responsibility or liability on the council for this section of road and once it has been established who has responsibility the council will be looking to recover the associated repair costs.

Council committee meetings

A number of interesting items at tonight’s council committee meetings.

The Policy and Resources Committee heard that it is projected that savings totalling £8.4m in 2014/15 will be required to be identified in order to deliver a balanced budget and a council tax freeze.

The Housing Committee agreed to consult with tenants over a two month period on the proposed options for the rent increase for 2014/14. These are 2.25%, 2.5% and 2.75%. The committee heard what the impact each of these options would have on service delivery. Other charges, including the sheltered housing charge, are being maintained at current level.

The City Development Committee was asked to give approval to consult on the Draft Broughty Ferry Conservation Area Appraisal. An extension of the existing conservation area is being proposed and I asked a question about the possibility of widening it further to include parts of Broughty Ferry which I believe to be typical of the existing character of the area and would sit comfortably within the Broughty Ferry Conservation Area, including The Esplanade, taking in The Glass Pavilion, and the south side of Monifieth Road. I was told that these are outwith the scope of the appraisal but would be considered in a future review of the neighbouring conservation areas.

I also asked a question at this committee when it was considering the alterations to waiting restrictions across the city. I had expected the large junction at the railway bridge on Dundee Road to be included in the review. It has been my understanding for some time that a single yellow line with limited waiting was being considered to the east of the junction in response to the concerns raised by local residents about the use of the location by advertising vehicles which are constantly parked there. However the council’s head of transportation said that his department was putting on hold any changes as the introduction of short stay parking may encourage these vehicles to park further along the adjacent network and be more of a driver distraction or hazard. In a separate email response to me he gave an undertaking to carry out a policy review in terms of how the council manages unauthorised road side advertising.

The Friends of Broughty Ferry Library

The Friends of Broughty Ferry Library are hosting an open evening in the library at 7pm on Monday 4 November. There will be a presentation of prizes to the winners of the competition it ran to find a logo and Charlie Webster will be giving a talk about Broughty Ferry and its history. For those of you who went on one of the beachie heritage walks run by St. James’ Church in the summer you will know how interesting Charlie’s talks on Broughty Ferry are. Everybody is welcome, the entry is free.

Action to deal with Albert Gardens pinch point

Ever since Eastern Primary School relocated to the former Grove Academy building I have been raising concerns on behalf of local residents about the impact the traffic generated by having two schools in such close proximity to each other is having on the nearby streets.

Most of the issues raised with me have been as a result of inconsiderate parking and manoeuvring e.g. parking over driveways and junctions. I have been contacted by residents from Camperdown Street, Harley Street, Albert Road, Albert Gardens, Seafield Road, Stanley Road, Bayfield Road and Bayfield Gardens about these issues.

The council’s City Development Department has taken some action in response to the concerns and the City Development Committee is being asked on Monday to implement another.

I have highlighted that some of the side streets have pinch points close to a junction where vehicles are parked on either side; one of these is Albert Gardens. When this happens it makes it very difficult for other vehicles to get through. Included in a report recommending a number of waiting restriction variations across Dundee is a proposal to slightly extend the lines on one side of the junction with Albert Road to prevent obstructions from occurring.

Development Management Committee

The council’s Development Management Committee on Monday considered an application for the construction of two storeys of residential accommodation above The Glass Pavilion restaurant on The Esplanade. It had been recommended for approval but on a division it was refused by 15 votes to 13.

During my contribution to the debate I said that Broughty Ferry Esplanade is special because of its open public recreational areas and lack of residential development. I also highlighted that the original listed building would be overwhelmed by the proposed extension.

Another planning decision worth noting was the refusal of a park and ride facility at Riverside Avenue on what is now part of Riverside Nature Park. Only the committee convener was in favour of the proposal.

An application to modify an existing planning obligation by Next Home and Garden at Kingsway West Retail Park was also refused by 15 votes to 13, however this application had been recommended for refusal. The planning obligation imposes restrictions on the range of goods that may be sold from retail units at Kingsway West Retail Park. This is done to maintain the vitality and viability of the city centre and district shopping centres.

Publication date of the long-awaited White Paper

Alex Salmond yesterday announced the publication date of the long-awaited White Paper in his main speech at the SNP’s conference in Perth.

He confirmed the document will be published on Tuesday, November 26, 2013.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said:

“Alex Salmond's speech was retail politics at its very worst - everything on offer, but with no price-tag attached.

“He is taking the Scottish public for mugs by claiming that they don't need the details, they just need to trust him and everything will be ok.

“It's a big gamble for a man already shown to be untrustworthy on basic issues such as telling the truth about EU legal advice.

“All along, the SNP mantra has been that they don't need to answer questions or give information because everything will be revealed in the White Paper.

“Well, the SNP have set a high bar on what will be in the White Paper and - now that we have a date - if they fail to deliver the public will never forgive them.

“The people of Scotland know that we are better off together as part of the UK and Alex Salmond's own lauding of the country's successful food and drink sector and recovering economy just proves it.”

Albany Road pavement

I was really pleased to see work start this week on a section of unadopted pavement in Albany Road that I have received many complaints about . The south pavement between Fairfield Road and Ralston Road is being brought up to standard and adopted by the council for future maintenance.

In 1999 following representations from councillors, pedestrians and householders, the council introduced its unadopted footways scheme. Each year all the pavements nominated for inclusion in the  scheme are ranked against a criteria and the level of funding available for the scheme allows the top dozen or so in the priority ranking list to be be brought up to standard. At that time West Ferry had a number of unadopted pavements and as the councillor for the area I set myself an objective of ensuring that all of the pavements in the ward would be adopted. Over the years I have suggested ways to improve the ranking of many of the pavements against the criteria.

The streets in the former West Ferry ward that now have decent pavements due to the unadopted footways scheme are: Albert Gardens, Albert Road, Balgillo Road, Balmyle Road, Bayfield Road, Bayfield Gardens, Caenlochan Road, Cedar Road, Davidson Street, Dundee Road, Duntrune Terrace, Ellieslea Road, Fairfield Road, Grove Road, Victoria Road, Deepdale Place, Ferndale Drive, Traill Street and three other sections of Albany Road.

With a section of Fairfield Road adjacent to Dawson Park also to be attended to this year all that remains on the unadopted footways list from the former West Ferry ward are Stewart Street, a section of Fintry Place and the final section of Albany Road (north side between Ralston Road and Fairfield Road). I am hopeful that these will also be attended to in the near future.

Since 2007 within the wider multi-member Ferry ward even more have been attended to, particularly in Barnhill which used to have a similar number of unadopted pavements as West Ferry. There are of course many still to be attended to, some in very poor condition and I will continue to push for their inclusion in a programme of works.

Broughty Ferry Station platform

Over the last couple of years residents have mentioned to me that the south platform at Broughty Ferry Station is too low and requires a big step to get on/off of a train. I contacted TACTRAN , the regional transport partnership, about it in May of last year who raised the issue for me with Network Rail. At that time the response was that there are several low platforms within the Scotland route and its funding for operational property does not include funding for raising low platforms. It went on to say that it was reviewing the condition of the platform at Broughty Ferry and that there could be an opportunity to raise the platform linked to a condition renewal should funding be available within the next two years of its current control period (2009/2014).

In response to a question about how the high step is managed First Scotrail advised that all of its trains carry portable ramps which on-train staff can use at unstaffed stations if required. The recommendation is that travel assistance is booked in advance whenever possible to ensure that First Scotrail is able to make the necessary arrangements.

The height of the platform has been mentioned by more people recently with the increased number of trains now stopping at Broughty Ferry. I have heard nothing further from Network Rail so I was really pleased to see that in response to an enquiry from Broughty Ferry Community Council,  First Scotrail has provided stepping-boxes at the station.

Stunning Win for Tories in Tweeddale

The Scottish Conservatives have won the Tweeddale West by-election with an 18% increase in their vote share from 2012. 

 Local Businessman Keith Cockburn triumphed after a by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Nathanial Buckingham.   The result represents a strong showing from the Conservatives who enjoyed a massive swing from their 2012 vote. 

 

Keith Cockburn said: “As a local resident and business owner I am delighted to now represent the people of Tweeddale West and I thank them for trusting me with their support. Whilst campaigning I received an incredibly positive response from residents on the doorsteps and I believe our positive campaign, centred on local issues, resonated with voters.” 

Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson MSP said: “This is a fantastic result for the Scottish Conservatives, to not just hold the seat but to see such a big swing in support to our party. Keith has worked exceptionally hard as a candidate and I know with his energy and commitment he will make an excellent councillor.”

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell said: “The Conservatives are the party of localism and this result represents a win for the promotion of local issues.We put forward candidates who are in touch with local concerns and have a track record of working in the community and in this respect Keith has been an outstanding candidate.”