Road repair update

Just a quick update on my earlier post. The Roads Maintenance Partnership has advised me that an order has been raised to fill the open joint on Beach Crescent with a timescale for completion of twenty eight days or sooner.

Beach Crescent

 

I went out for my usual Sunday morning walk around Broughty Ferry to note any matters that require actioning and to also inspect locations reported to me by constituents. One of the locations was Beach Crescent. A resident had asked me if anything is to be done about the carriageway which is looking rather rutted.  I have asked the roads maintenance partnership if it is likely to feature in a programme of works in the near future. While I was there I stopped to watch the Broughty Ferry swans for a few moments.

Campaigning

Over the last couple of weeks I have been delivering leaflets for Bill Bowman, who is the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate in the Dundee City East constituency for next year’s Scottish Parliament election. Bill was a candidate in Dundee East at this year’s General Election and increased the number of votes cast for the Scottish Conservatives. As a charted accountant and with many years of experience of being in business Bill has professional skills that could be put to good use in Holyrood.

 

In the New Year I will be helping to deliver leaflets for Nicola Ross the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate in Dundee City West.  Nicola was a candidate in the same constituency at the General Election and also increased the votes cast for the Scottish Conservatives. If you would like to join our growing band of volunteers and get involved in the Scottish Conservative and Unionist election campaign in Dundee please get in touch.

Broughty Ferry Christmas presents

This year’s Broughty Ferry calendar has a lot of superb pictures in it which were submitted by entrants to the town's annual photographic competition. It will make a great Christmas present. It costs £9.99 and all proceeds are used by the Broughty Ferry Traders to support local charities and good causes. It can be purchased from various shops in Broughty Ferry. You can also buy a Broughty bag to carry it home in and help promote Broughty Ferry every time you use it.

Ward boundary update

Victoria Road

Since the consultation by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland ended in October I have been looking out for an update on its website as I am keen to see what the outcome is for the proposal to move part of West Ferry from The Ferry ward into the East End ward. Despite it being nearly eight weeks since representations had to be submitted no update has been posted. However a Freedom of Information request by the Evening Telegraph has revealed that 971 objections were submitted, which is amazing. This is one of the greatest responses to a public consultation on a local matter that I have seen in my time as a councillor.

 

When Dundee City Council considered the boundary commission’s initial proposal, which would have seen a boundary running down Fairfield Road I moved an amendment which would have resulted in the council advising the commission that it didn’t support the proposal to transfer West Ferry (Polling District EAW and part of Polling District EAN) to the East End ward but councillors from the other political parties chose not to support my amendment, preferring instead a motion from the SNP administration which supported an option that creates a boundary for The Ferry ward at Victoria Road.  

 

I moved my amendment to retain the existing western boundary of The Ferry ward i.e. at Dundee and Angus College Gardyne Campus, because having served as a Broughty Ferry councillor for many years I was aware of the community, social and historical ties that would be broken by changing the boundary and the likely concern this would be for local residents. It seems my instinct was correct given the unprecedented level of response.

A genuine “Scottish alternative”

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party news release

 

The Scottish Conservatives will offer a genuine "Scottish alternative" to the SNP in next year's Holyrood elections, Ruth Davidson said today.

 In a key note speech marking 150 days until the May 5th vote, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives said the party would speak up for people increasingly concerned about a 'one party state' under the SNP.

 

"My message to them is this: in the Scottish Conservatives, there is an alternative voice which will stand up to the SNP's plans for separation, and constant flirtation with a second referendum."

She adds: "Here's my message 150 days out. Scotland isn't a one party state. Not while I'm around it won't be. Our party has the team, the commitment, the energy, the ideas and the vision for the fight ahead."

Over the coming five months, the Scottish Conservatives will, she said, set out a clear alternative plan - for a "moderate, energetic" Scottish Government which categorically rules out taking Scotland back to another referendum.

"With a vote for the Scottish Conservatives in May, you are saying that you want to move on.  That you want to put an end to it. It's a vote which says  - I want to live in a country whose future isn't under a cloud – but is assured. Simply, it's a vote restating your wish to stay part of the United Kingdom so you and your family can get on with life."

Setting out the Scottish Conservative vision for the next 150 days, she added: "My plan for this election is to use our strong foundations within the United Kingdom to set out a new vision. Not bowing to the big state on the one hand or genuflecting to the free market on the other – but of an active and energetic government which seeks to create a more level playing field, and a better quality of life for us all. A moderate government which knows that the State can't do it all and shouldn't try to – but knows that the State can strengthen society when used well."

The speech comes as the Scottish Conservatives this week unveil all their regional list rankings.

 "I want people to know that we are ready. We are prepared. I've brought our party to the start line in good shape. Ours is a party that now gets devolution and has transformed itself to reflect entirely our modern Union. This is a Scottish election. So this is our campaign. It's our plan, policies and ideas. Made in Scotland. For Scotland."

Broughty Ferry Christmas Sunday

Christmas lunch

Yesterday, following my Saturday morning drop in surgeries, I attended Dundee Conservatives Christmas lunch at Woodlands Hotel. The guest speaker was Ian Duncan MEP.

 

I enjoyed convivial company, a great meal and a witty and informative speech by Ian. He talked about Winston Churchill, next year's Scottish Parliament election, the upcoming EU referendum and other European issues.

Back by popular demand

Last night I was delighted to attend the launch of a new edition of the book, ‘What’s in a name?’, at Eduardo Alessandro Studios. The book was written by Callum Webster and  Craig Muir.

 

This latest edition was produced due to public demand and contains new information and additional local pictures and vintage photographs. As well as revealing how each street name in Broughty Ferry came about, it also provides information on: the former Grove Academy pupil who publicly debated with Sherlock Holmes author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; the girl from Panmure Street who became Australia's first female anaesthetist; the Collingwood Crescent resident who rescued orphaned children from Communist China; the West Ferry merchant who was shot dead during a grouse hunt on the Sidlaws; the local minister nicknamed the 'Parachute Padre' for his role in an SAS operation during World War Two.

 

It also has a full list of all the councillors who served on the old Broughty Ferry Burgh Council and biographical details about each of them.

 

Another book signing will take place on Saturday 5th December at 10:30am at The Katz Pyjamas, in Gray Street. It will make a great Christmas present.

Community Council

On Tuesday I attended the December meeting of Broughty Ferry Community Council. The first item on the agenda was the appointment of office bearers following last month’s community council elections. The positions were filled unanimously as follows:  Adele McGrath- chair, Ian Gray- vice chair, David Easson- treasurer, Joan Chalmers- minutes secretary, David Hewick- planning secretary, Stan Nutt,- licensing matters, Neil Cooney- communications secretary.  I look forward to working with the new committee during the coming months and years.