Fairer funding for the Ferry

There are six community regeneration forums in Dundee, based on electoral wards, that receive a share of £750,000 from the Fairer Scotland Fund to spend on community projects. The Ferry and West End wards get nothing. On a few occasions in the past I have attempted to secure a share of this funding for Broughty Ferry, most recently at the council’s budget meeting in February. My argument is that poverty exists across the city and people can be socially excluded regardless of where they live.

The council’s chief executive has now advised me that he has asked for a review of the funding to be carried out in time for the 2014/15 revenue budget.  It is anticipated that the outcome of the review will be considered by committee in December.

This is a welcome development; it might not change things but it is at least being looked at.

Road closures update

I have been advised that Queen Street will re-open on Friday 29 March, however some road markings will still require to be replaced which will result in further traffic management arrangements.

The main contractor will close down over the Easter weekend removing all traffic management arrangements on Friday 29 March. There will be no restriction during the Easter weekend from Saturday 30 March until Monday 1 April.

 The contractor will then return on Tuesday 2 April to close St Vincent Street in order to carry out a permanent reinstatement to the earlier temporary sett reinstatement.

In addition the road marking sub-contractor will be on site to replace the outstanding road markings in Queen Street and Claypotts Road which will be carried out under traffic control.

Conference cost

In an attempt to save money for taxpayers I have raised a series of motions trying to curtail the number of conferences attended by councillors. The most recent was at Monday’s Social Work Committee where the SNP administration proposed to send the convenor or his nominee to a conference at Crieff Hydro at a cost of £399 plus VAT, travel and subsistence allowances. I moved that no councillors should attend the conference and the other opposition councillors agreed with me, however my motion was defeated by the SNP councillors’ votes.

Referendum date

The countdown to the referendum has begun. Alex Salmond has finally revealed the date - 18th September 2014.

Forthill walkabout

Today I attended a walkabout of the Forthill area. It gave tenants the chance to meet up with their local housing officer, along with representatives from other council departments and organisations such as the police and fire brigade.  

The purpose of the walkabout was to address any concerns such as land maintenance, street lighting, graffiti, dog fouling, parking problems etc.

We picked up a number of issues requiring attention including the poor condition of the pavements in Archer Street. All the concerns that were highlighted have been logged and will be followed up by the appropriate agency.

SSE electrical cable laying update

The diversion route for Queen Street phase 1 of the SSE electrical cable laying will be extended until Monday 18 March. The second phase in Queen Street between St Vincent Street and Fort Street will now start on Tuesday 19 March and run until Sunday 31 March 2013 inclusive.  The road will be closed to west bound traffic.

The bus services affected will be Stagecoach Strathtay services 73, 75, 78 and 79. They will follow the normal route to Abertay Street, divert along Nursery Road, Forthill Road, Fort Street, Queen Street, then back on the normal route.

A temporary bus stop will be in operation on Dalhousie Road prior to Abertay Street during this closure.

Extension of walkway/cycle path

As work progresses on the upgrade of the final section of the old elevated concrete coastal path from Douglas Terrace there is news that Dundee City Council is hopeful of attracting funding to extend the improvements into Lower Broughty Ferry Road.

A funding application has been submitted to Sustrans and if the bid is successful a three metre wide cycle / footway will be constructed along the shore side of Lower Broughty Ferry Road linking the coastal path to the Stannergate bridge.

I have been championing the refurbishment of the walkway for many years and I’m delighted by the progress that has been made. Having Lower Broughty Ferry Road included in the refurbishment programme will be well received by the many walkers and cyclists who currently have to avoid muddy puddles and potholes.

The carriageway of Lower Broughty Ferry Road has also been provisionally identified for patching and surface treatment which will further enhance the area.

Friends of Broughty Ferry Library

Tonight I attended a meeting of the Friends of Broughty Ferry Library. The group has only recently been established and its aim is to support the library and encourage increased public awareness and use. It is anticipated that it will help with fund raising and plan and implement events and activities.

If you are interested in getting involved then please speak with a member of the Broughty Ferry Library team.

Housing committee

At Monday’s housing committee I proposed that no councillors should attend the Chartered Institute of Housing annual conference and exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow.

The estimated cost, excluding travel and subsistence, was £699. I argued that as we had a number of housing officers attending from Dundee then it would represent better value if one of the housing officers cascaded any information to elected members following the conference.

I think £699 of rent payers money would be better spent on housing repairs then sending a councillor to conference. My motion was defeated when the SNP administration voted against it.

Traffic orders update

Today the existing 40mph signs were due to be removed on Dalhousie Road/Monifieth Road (A930) between Panmure Street and Guthrie Terrace and replaced with 30mph signs.

The one way traffic regulation order for Seafield Road was made on 4 March and will be effective from Monday 11 March. A works order will be submitted to the street lighting department and the one way system is currently programmed to be in place by the end of May.

SNP secret document blows apart case for separation

Details have been released from a secret Scottish Government report which casts major doubts over how a separate Scotland would pay for state pensions and defence.

The document also admits that under independence, Scotland would have a larger fiscal deficit than the UK and our share of public sector debt would be £122billion.

It also concedes that oil revenues could drop by more than a quarter and admits that relying on the resource would create considerable uncertainty in projecting Scotland’s finances.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said: “The difference between what the SNP say in public and what they know in private is astonishing. It is yet another example of the SNP trying to con the people of Scotland by promising them the earth but knowing they do not have the money to deliver. This secret document shows that under separation, Alex Salmond is preparing to cut the state pension for old people and unemployment benefit for those out of work.

The reality is the SNP know oil revenue is falling and they will be unable to lavish cash on all the promises they have made and that an independent Scotland would start life saddled with debt.

Quite simply, this document blows apart the SNP’s case for separation.”

Retaining wall at Anton Drive

The strengthening works required on the retaining wall at Anton Drive are due to start on 11 March and are scheduled to last for approximately 5 to 6 weeks. It will be carried out by Dundee City Council Environment Department and a private contractor. 

The council will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum but I understand there will be a requirement to close Anton Drive to vehicles for a period of 2 weeks.