Boundary change proposal

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is currently carrying out a review of local government electoral arrangements. Earlier in the year it consulted with Dundee City Council on an option for ward boundaries that would have created a western boundary for The Ferry ward at Fairfield Road. However the council decided to support an alternative proposal that will create a boundary at Victoria Road, resulting in most of West Ferry being moved to the East End ward.

 

At the meeting where this was considered I tabled an amendment that would have resulted in the council expressing a preference for retaining the existing Ferry ward boundary i.e. at the Gardyne campus of Dundee and Angus College but I didn’t get support from any of the other councillors.

A 12 week period of public consultation started on 30 July. The commission has decided to adopt, and consult on, Dundee City Council’s suggested electoral arrangements. If like me you feel that West Ferry should remain part of The Ferry ward then please make your view known to the commission during the consultation period. Responses can be made in the following ways:

In writing to:

 

Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

Thistle House

91 Haymarket Terrace

Edinburgh EH12 5HD

 

By email to:

lgbcs@scottishboundaries.gov.uk

Via the consultation portal on its website:  

 

www.consultation.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk

 

Comments on the proposals need to be submitted by Thursday 22 October 2015.

Playparks

I was contacted by a resident about the condition of the roundabout in the playpark in Fintry Place, beside Forthill Primary School. Some of the wooden slats on the floor of the roundabout were loose and rotten and there was concern that children jumping on it might break through it. I raised the matter with the appropriate officers in the environment department who responded quickly to make it safe and by the next day the floor had been repaired. It is recognised that the roundabout is getting old and the possibility of upgrading it is being looked at.
 

The play equipment at the children’s play area in Dawson Park could also do with a refresh and I have been informed that the possibility of a refurbishment programme will be looked at.

Cedar Road flooding

There has been a problem with flooding on Cedar Road at its junction with Forthill Road for a long time. In recent years the flooding has resulted in a surcharge of sewage, leaving behind foul smelling sludge, toilet paper and other unpleasant material. The nearby kerb and pavement are also showing signs of damage caused by the repeated flooding. When it is reported to Scottish Water there is a quick response to clean it up, but a more long term solution is required. The council has made it clear that it has no responsibility for the problem at this location and it lies entirely with Scottish Water. Following the rains of the last few days (and another clean up) Scottish Water has advised that it is going to undertake further investigations to identify why the surcharge of sewage keeps happening.

Forthill Tenants Association AGM

I attended the AGM of the Forthill Tenants Association today and was delighted to be asked to chair the meeting for the election of a new committee.  The tenants association meets every month and it is a pleasure to attend the meetings as they are always positive and everyone is committed to improving things in the local area. There are ten places on the committee (plus two possible co-options) and all ten were filled, making it one of the biggest tenants associations in Dundee.

 

Tenants associations are consulted by the housing department on aspects of housing policy which might affect tenants; they are able to take part in decision making processes and can influence decisions about housing conditions and housing related services. Forthill Tenants Association also works closely with other council departments and organisations to improve the local environment and community safety.

 

The guest speaker at today’s AGM was my former Conservative councillor colleague Charlie Webster. He gave a well received talk on the Broughty Ferry fishing community and some of the local characters.

More Broughty Ferry improvement works

It was a very busy day today in Broughty Ferry with lots of families enjoying the gala week programme of events, including the children’s window guessing competition which this year runs over two weeks and features 74 shop fronts.
 

It also seemed to be the day that a lot of long standing road and pavement complaints were being resolved. The pavement in Queen Street at the New Kirk is being attended to and significant carriageway patching is being carried out on Albany Road and Ellieslea Road.
 

Other problematic areas will be attended to in the near future; patching works are programmed to commence next week at the Rossie Avenue / Muirside Terrace Junction and next month at the Rossie Avenue / East Balgillo Road Junction.