Free Beachie Heritage Walk in Broughty Ferry starting from St James Church Friday 1 November 2013

As part of the series of community events to mark the centenary of Broughty Ferry becoming part of Dundee, Broughty Ferry Churches have organised a number of events this week called the The Broughty Ferry Centenary Church Trail. 

On Friday 1 November 2013 (tomorrow) there will be a free Beachie Heritage Walk conducted by, knowledgeable local resident and former Councillor, Charlie Webster.

2.00-2.45: Beachie Heritage Walk starting from St James Church, followed by refreshments. Free but booking required. Any donations to RNLI. Broughty Ferry St James (Church of Scotland)
5 Fort St, DD5 2AD

To book or for information please contact Charlie Webster
Telephone 079414 85502 Email charliewebster16c@gmail.com

Link to full programme of the complete programme of events in The Broughty Ferry Centenary Church Trail

Unfortunately Douglas Terrace DD5 is NOT About to be Resurfaced

Earlier this month I was delighted to announce that Douglas Terrace in Broughty Ferry was about to be resurfaced starting on Monday 21 October 2013. 

I had previously drawn attention to the Roads Maintenance Partnership about potholes in this street and the pavements.

When I noticed that no work had started over the last week, I contacted the Transportation Department to inquire about the reasons for the delay. Unfortunately I was informed that the original notice about the temporary closure of the road while the road works were going on had been wrongly sent to Ferry Councillors. I for my part must put my hand up and say I should have read all of the details in an attachment that would have alerted me to the fact that The Douglas Terrace to be resurfaced was in DD3 and not DD5.

Bearing in mind the condition of this stretch of the road along the beachfront, I have written to ask for a date when our Douglas Terrace in Broughty Ferry will be resurfaced.

Open this Afternoon from 1pm - Our Lady of Good Counsel Church as Part of Broughty Ferry Centenary Church Trail

Tuesday 29 October
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Roman Catholic Church

Westfield Road, Broughty Ferry DD5 1ED

Programme for afternoon

1.00-3.00: Guided tour, refreshments and music

1.15-2.15: Welcome by Fr McCarthy and guided talk on key features: the tabernacle, altar of reservation, centenary wall hanging and stained glass windows

2.15-3.00: Light refreshments, organ music and bells


Link to full programme of the complete programme of events in The Broughty Ferry Centenary Church Trail

Temporary Closure of Long Lane West of Gray Street Beginning on Thursday 31 October for 5 Working Days

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 SSE cabling works being carried out hereby prohibit the driving of any vehicle in Long Lane (from its junction with Gray Street to approx. 30metres west), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Thursday 31 October 2013 for 5 working days.

The one-way order relating to this section of Long Lane will be revoked for the duration of these works.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained. Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Union Street/King Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

Mike P Galloway, Director of City Development, Dundee City Council

Dundee Free Fireworks Displays 5 November 2013

Dundee's free firework displays will take place as usual on Tuesday 5 November 2013 in Lochee Park and Baxter Park.

The programme for both venues is as follows:

6pm - Radio Tay roadshow
6.15pm - Lighting of the bonfire
7pm  - Firework display begins
7.25pm - Finish

In the interests of safety please DO NOT bring Fireworks, Sparklers or Chinese Lanterns to the Displays.

No Parking in both parks. Free admission.

Volunteer with Brae Riding for Disabled Awarded Sunday Mail Community Champion 2013

Harry helping to muck out at the stables

Congratulations to ninety one year old Harry Nunn who last night was awarded Sunday Mail Community Champion 2013 at an awards ceremony in Glasgow. 

Harry, Scotland’s oldest volunteer, spends three days a weeks helping children and adults with learning difficulties at The Brae Riding for the Disabled in The Ferry.

Harry was voted for by thousands of customers of Lidl and of course supporters from Brae.

Harry is a wonderful demonstration that it's never too late to volunteer.

The Brae Riding for the Disabled
1 Linlathen Grove
Dundee DD5 3GL

Telephone: 01382 776880

Dundee Partnership Conference on Drugs and Alcohol - Supporting Recovery

This morning I attended the 'Dundee Partnership Conference on Drugs and Alcohol' which was held in the Central Baptist Church in Ward Road in Dundee.

Also present from The Ferry were representatives from Forthill and North Barnhill Tenants' groups as well as our Communities Officer, Carole Jenkins.

One of the themes of the morning was how routes to recovery could be improved and the role of families and communities might play in supporting that process.

This was a most worthwhile opportunity to listen to community members from across the city exchange their experiences of neighbourhoods dealing with lives blighted by the negative effects of drug and alcohol addictions. The feedback received will be used to help inform the revision to the strategy and plans of the Drugs and Alcohol Partnership in the city.

Broughty Ferry Centenary Church Trail and Ecumenical Service

Click on image to enlarge

Tuesday 29 October
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Roman Catholic) 
Westfield Road, DD5 1ED
1.00-3.00: Guided tour, refreshments and music.
1.15-2.15: Welcome by Fr McCarthy and guided talk on key features: the tabernacle, altar of reservation, centenary wall hanging and stained glass windows.
2.15-3.00: Light refreshments, organ music and bells.

Friday 1 November
Broughty Ferry St James (Church of Scotland)
5 Fort St, DD5 2AD
2.00-2.45: Beachie Heritage Walk starting from St James Church, followed by refreshments. Free but booking required. Any donations to RNLI. To book or for information please contact Charlie Webster Telephone 079414 85502 Email charliewebster16c@gmail.com

Saturday 2 November
St Stephen and West (Church of Scotland)
96 Dundee Road, DD5 1DW
10.00 - 4.00: Church open to visitors with displays including stained glass windows, overseas Meru project in Kenya and its links with Broughty Ferry community groups, our recent journey to linkage with St Mary’s Parish Church, Dundee. Refreshments available.

Saturday 2 November
St Luke’s and Queen Street (Church of Scotland)
5 West Queen Street, DD5 1AU
10.00 - 12.00: Church open for visitors. Display of youth handwork on the theme ‘Our Church’. Organ music and refreshments.

Saturday 2 November
Barnhill St Margaret’s Church (Church of Scotland)
10, Invermark Terrace DD5 2QU
10.00 - 4.00: Church open to visitors
10.00-12.00: Guild coffee morning, to which all are welcome. Displays of work locally with schools, Starter Packs, Dundee Foodbank and overseas with Mary’s Meals and orphanage and feeding programme in the Phillippines.

Saturday 2 November
St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church
Queen Street, DD5 1AJ
10.30-4.00: church open to visitors, displaying the work of Mothers’ Union (only branch in the diocese of Brechin)
St Mary’s Home and Overseas Support Project and Balgillo Nursery. 11.00: Demonstration of ‘Sing and Sign’ communication technique with small babies. 2.30-3.00: Talk by Mr Chris Davey, historian, former lecturer Dundee
University, co author of ‘The Memory of Broughty Ferry’ written to mark the incorporation of Broughty Ferry into Dundee.
3.00-3.30: Organ recital by Mr Gordon Foster, organist from the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.

Sunday 3 November
Broughty Ferry New Kirk (Church of Scotland)
370 Queen Street, DD5 2HQ
Ecumenical Service with joint churches’ choir and pupils from Grove Academy, followed by refreshments. Displays of work locally and overseas including 65th and 81st Dundee Guides and 44th Dundee company of the Boys Brigade, Broughty Ferry’s only BB company.
Winner of the School Poetry Competition will be announced and entries will also be on display.

Planning Application for Glass Pavilion Flats Refused

Click on image to enlarge

At the Development Management Committee last night, the committee considered a number of Planning Applications. 

Amongst these was an application for planning permission and listed building consent for the Glass Pavilion on The Esplanade. 

Consent was sought "for works to substantially extend the single storey Glass Pavilion Restaurant by constructing two storeys of residential accommodation above, to the rear and partly to the sides of the existing extended Listed Building."

Following objections from the Community Council and residents, the Committee refused the planning application. 

I hope this decision to refuse permission for this development means that we can continue to enjoy using and admiring the existing elegant and iconic Glass Pavilion building on The Esplanade.

Were Junction Improvements on Broughty Ferry Road a Good Investment?

Drivers heading from The Ferry to the Dundee City centre must wonder for whom the new right turn on Broughty Ferry Road was introduced?

This new turn with filter traffic lights leads onto Greendykes Road leading up to the Kingsway at the 'Scott-Fyffe' roundabout. It seems it's a junction where few drivers travelling west choose to use the new opportunity to turn right at the lights.

It wouldn't be such an issue if the bill for the junction 'upgrading' had not been so substantial. The upgrading of the road and junction was part of a £2+ million contract to upgrade the bridge into the docks at the Stannergate and improve links to the Kingsway for new green energy manufacturing. This was approved, with rather scant detail, at the City Development Committtee on 27 June 2011.

Significantly, when wind turbines were recently landed at Dundee Port and transportation arranged to Aberdeenshire, new direct lanes were engineered straight through the middle of the Stannergate roundabout for the articulated trucks to go directly up Strips of Craigie Drive. So much for the new enhanced junction on Broughty Ferry Road; it's dog leg corner which would clearly defeat lesser loads negotiating the corner.

I now have doubts about whether this part of the contract was a wise investment of public funds.

Clementine of Broughty Ferry Win Another Prestigious Award

Congratulations to our innovative retailers Jan McTaggart and Carole Sommerville, the joint proprietors of Clementine of Broughty Ferry.

Their shop is included in the list of Winners of the prestigious Observer Food Monthly Awards 2013 for best independent retailer - runners up. These businesses, from around the UK,  were chosen by OFM readers and announced in The Observer this Sunday, 20 October 2013.

Click on extract from Observer to enlarge

"Dundee grocer famed for its Soup in bag, everything you need to make their soup of the week."

Clementine of Broughty Ferry

103 Gray Street DD5 2DN 01382 738939

Open Mon – Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm

www.clementineofbroughtyferry.com  

The people of Tayside: Save YOUR Tayside Fire Control

FIVE of Scotland’s eight fire control rooms are set to be closed following the creation of a single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board on 26th September in Aberdeen agreed in principle - by a single vote - to retain only three of the current control centres serving the country as part of a major rationalisation plan.

Under the proposals, which will now go out to public consultation, the control room at Johnstone in Renfrewshire is almost certain to be retained and two other control centres will be kept from a four strong list of centres at Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Sign the online petition to keep our local fire and Rescue control centre in Dundee

Consultation on Review of Statement Of Licensing Policy 2013-2016

In terms of Section 6 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, the Licensing Board of Dundee City Council is obliged to review its Statement of Licensing Policy by the end of 2013.
The Board has already reviewed its policy on licensing hours for each premises in the city. At its meeting on 19th September 2013, it decided that premises which operate as traditional “public houses” or bars will be allowed to open until 0100 Friday/Saturday, premises with “substantial entertainment” (which shall not include karaoke or recorded music) can open until 0200 Friday/Saturday, and purpose-built nightclubs and other dedicated entertainment premises are allowed to open until 0300 Friday/Saturday.
 
Insofar as the remainder of the Board’s policy statement is concerned, the Board is pleased to receive any comments on the contents thereof. The statement can be found on the licensing pages of the Dundee City Council website or a copy can be inspected at the Licensing Office at 18 City Square, Dundee. In particular, the Board would welcome comments on the following,
 

• are there any areas of the city which may be overprovided with licensed premises (either generally or of a specific type, e.g., off-sales) and, if so, which areas are these?
• in light of the Board’s new policy on licensing hours set out above, should the Board continue with its current policy of allowing an additional hour over and above these closing times at trade holidays, Christmas, etc.?

A report summarising responses to this consultation will be submitted to the Board at its meeting on 14th November 2013. The consultation period runs until Thursday 31st October 2013. Responses can be sent to the Clerk to the Licensing Board, 21 City Square, Dundee DD1 3BY or by e-mail to licensing.board@dundeecity.go.uk
 

New Street Signs Help Locate Hidden Streets

Two new street signs have been erected to help direct folk to a row of cottages in one of the hidden wee roads in Broughty Ferry.
Residents in Constable Lane live in cottages that lie close to the Dundee Aberdeen railway line and parallel with the main Dundee Road on the other side. Some of the residents requested better signage to help taxi drivers, emergency services and visitors to their front doors. 
They also wanted a sign to help people along the way to Constable Lane via St Roque's Place, another street name that had gone missing from recent published maps.

The City Development Department have obliged with two smart new signs.

United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Today is United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “The massive and growing gap between the richest and poorest in Scotland is damaging society as a whole. It doesn’t have to be like that. Poverty is created by the decisions we make as a society."

The reality of poverty in Scotland

The wealthiest households in Scotland are 273 times richer than the poorest households. This gap looks set to get bigger in coming years

Nearly 200,000 children in Scotland are living in poverty. UK welfare changes will push at least another 50,000 children into poverty by 2020 if they go through as planned.

In Glasgow, one out of three children live in poverty. In Dundee, West Dunbartonshire and North Ayrshire it is around one in four. Across the country the figure is nearly one in five.

A boy born in the most deprived 10% of areas has a life expectancy of 68: 8 years below the national average and 14 years below boys born in the least deprived areas.

Since 2008, the number of people in poverty who are working has risen from 255,000 to 280,000.

Since 2008, the number of under-25s who are unemployed has almost doubled to 90,000.

The number of people working part-time, who want a full-time job, has risen from 70,000 in 2008 to 120,000 in 2012.

For every full-time vacancy at Jobcentres in Scotland, there are eight claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance in Scotland. In West Dunbartonshire there are 40 claimants for every full-time vacancy.
(Source: Third Force News)

Great War Dundee: Do you have a First World War Story or Photograph to Share?

Image courtesy of D C Thomson
Click on image to enlarge

The Great War Dundee Partnership aims to co-ordinate a city-wide approach to the centenary commemoration of the First World War in Dundee. 

It brings the community together with the city’s museums, archives, libraries, universities, schools, businesses and societies through a programme of activities that encourage the broadest possible public participation and collective reminiscence.

They are currently appealing to those who have a First World War story or photograph to share it with them.

To find out more about the Great War Partnership and to pass on memories and photographs these are the key contacts:
telephone 01382 431500
email greatwardundee@gmail.com
website www.graetwardundee.com
facebook www.facebook.com/GreatWarDundee

Overhanging Shrubs on Coastal Pathway in Broughty Ferry

Walkers on the coastal pathway have complained to me about the gorse bushes which are overhanging the path midway between the Stannergate and Grassy Beach. 

The overgrown gorse has effectively narrowed the available pathway for walking or cycling just on the brow of the hill.

I have asked the Environment Department to trim the gorse back to restore the full width of the coastal pathway as part of their autumn maintenance.

Douglas Terrace to be Resurfaced Beginning Monday 21 October 2013

Residents in Douglas Terrace and Ferry folk who use this road will be pleased to hear that the Council is going to undertake resurfacing beginning on Monday 21 October 2013.

I have passed on constituents' complaints many times about the unevenness of Douglas Terrace, and the need for a comprehensive resurfacing rather than just more patching of the most obvious potholes.


The resurfacing work will, however, require a temporary closure of Douglas Terrace while the contract is in progress. Diversion routes will be in place and pedestrian access will be maintained for residents.

Consultation on Polling Places in The Ferry

Click on map to enlarge

Dundee City Council is reviewing its arrangements for conducting elections in the City and is looking for comments on the buildings (Polling Places) used and the area (Polling Districts) allocated to each Polling Place.

Polling Place Audits
The audit for The Ferry can be found by clicking on this link. 

Draft Proposals and Map
The draft proposals for The Ferry are listed in a report and separate map.  The map should be referred to when reading the written description of the proposals.
Link to the Draft Proposals for The Ferry
Link to the Map for The Ferry

Any comment should be sent to ero@dundeecity.gov.uk or by post to the ERO, 18 City Square, Dundee DD1 3BY by no later than 15 November 2013

Dundee Partnership Community Conference on Substance Misuse Saturday 26 October 2013 Free Event

The Dundee Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) is currently undertaking a review of substance misuse issues in the City.

This review has two overall aims:
- To ensure Dundee City is best placed to help those in need to recover from alcohol and drugs problems and
- To increase the focus on prevention across the city.


Dundee has a high number of people with substance misuse problems, and high levels of the problems associated with substance misuse. Throughout this review, the Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership views reducing drug and alcohol deaths in the City as the highest priority.

They invite local residents to contribute to this review and help influence its outcome by attending a Free Community Conference on Saturday 26th October 2013 9.30am - 1.45pm at the Central Baptist Church Hall, Ward Road, Dundee.

Past community conferences on drugs and alcohol highlighted a range of issues, including:

• Stigma of individuals and families affected by substance misuse;
• How substance misuse affects local communities and
• The role of local communities in the recovery process.

They would like to re-visit these issues and ensure they have enough information from local communities to get the best from their review.


Lunch will be provided between 1:00 and 1:45

If you wish to attend please phone ADP on 01382 456126 or email lisaramsay@nhs.net

Please reply by 18th October, 2013

Blue Plaque Scheme for Broughty Ferry?

Folk who walk along the coastal pathway near the end of Douglas Terrace may have noticed a blue plaque on the front of the cottage overlooking the wee triangle of open space.

On closer inspection, it is clear that this plaque celebrates the infamous Bob Servant who apparently lived there. Of course, those of us who enjoyed seeing the Bob Servant series on BBC TV will recognise the location from the distinctive extension on the side of the house.

This plaque got me thinking that there must be many famous and some infamous people in the history of The Ferry who might merit an official Blue Plaque. Furthermore, a Blue Plaque scheme might also add to the visitor appeal of Broughty Ferry.

I have already discussed this with Broughty Ferry Development Trust at their recent AGM and with some members of the Community Council. The idea was well received but needs a sponsoring organisation that might take it on and both the Community Council and the Development Trust have their hands full at the moment. I intend to take it up next with Dundee Civic Trust.

I would also like to hear from any organisation that might might be interested in taking this on.

Email laurie.bidwell@dundeecity.gov.uk

Good as New Sale Saturday 12 October 10am - 2pm YMCA Brook Street Broughty Ferry

On Saturday there will be a Good as New Sale in the YMCA on Brook Street from 10 am - 2 pm.

The money raised from the sale will be split between two good causes:
Grove Academy's Support for Learning Base and 
St Stephen’s Kindergarten Project in Meru, Kenya. 

Grove Academy has been involved for a number of years developing an exchange programme for teachers and pupils at a school in Meru. Former Depute Head Teacher at Grove Academy, Sheila McLuckie, linked in St Stephen's and West Church with the exchange. After a visit to Meru, St Stephen's began fundraising for the improvement of facilities at a Kindergarten in Meru.

Drop in Further Education Places - Short Term Cuts, Long Term Damage

Recent official statistics have confirmed a significant decline in the number of students studying at Colleges of Further Education in Scotland. This includes cuts of more than 25% in the student numbers at Dundee and Angus Colleges. Both Dundee and Angus colleges are soon to be subject to a forced merger by the SNP led Scottish Government. Like the merger of a Police and Fire and Rescue services, the reduction in the number of Colleges is expected to lead to unrealistic cash savings. 

The student groups that have particularly missed out, as a result of the sharp reduction in places, are mature students over twenty five and part time students, especially women returners.

At a time when unemployment in our city is high and many folk are trying to get back into work, College courses are often a helpful stepping stone from unemployment, under employment and those working at home unpaid.

This is another example of short term education cuts that lead to long term damage to individuals that are finding their route to a more successful future blocked.

Progress with Gray Street Pavements?

After a fortnight of the six week contract to resurface the pavements on Gray Street, the first phase on the east side looks as though it is shaping up. My picture shows the new paving, almost complete, outside the Eduardo Allesandro Studios on Saturday 5 October.
I understand that businesses on that side of the street have experienced a drop in takings and spells of persistent noise from pneumatic drills breaking up the old pavement surfaces.

I hope that when the work is finished, before the Christmas season, the disruption will be seen to be worthwhile with another stretch of upgraded pavements in central Broughty Ferry.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tayside and Fife Branch of British Science Association Free Public Lectures 2013-14 First One on Saturday

Click on Programme image to enlarge

The Tayside and Fife Branch of the British Science Association have recently announced their programme of Free Public Lectures throughout Autumn 2013 and Spring 2014.

The first Lecture in the 2013/14 series is Islamic science: Inventions that changed the world by Professor Mohamed El-Gomati OBE
This talk is based on the acclaimed international exhibition '1001 Inventions: Discover the Muslim heritage in our world'.
6pm Saturday 12th October
Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee
In partnership with the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education

Refreshments will be served after the lecture.

Tayside and Fife Branch of the British Science Association also have a YouTube page, where there are some excellent videos of previous lectures by Ben Tatler, Sir Philip Cohen and Barbara Webb.

Tayside and Fife Branch of the British Science Association 

Pavement Upgrading in Barnhill Progressing

During September, two stretches of pavement in Barnhill have been upgraded and adopted. Campfield Road and Abertay Street (west side) have been dug up and resurfaced to a standard that the Council are willing to adopt.

I am sure that residents will be relieved that after years of waiting their turn, their footways will soon be fit for the 21st century.

New Computers and Free WiFi at Broughty Ferry Library

Last week the well used computers at Broughty Ferry Library were replaced as part of a 'refresh' programme. The flat screen monitors have also been replaced with larger screens. The upgraded computers are running on Windows 7. Public access is available to these computers via the library issue desk.

The Library is also a location for free wifi.

Of course it is also well resourced for accessing books and a range of daily local and national papers.

Link to contact details and opening hours for Broughty Ferry Library

Help to Step Up to Trains at Broughty Ferry Station

Wooden blue painted steps on the platform
Click on image to enlarge

ScotRail have responded to appeals for help for their customers getting on and off trains stopping at Broughty Ferry station. 

They acknowledge that there is a big gap between the height of the platforms and their trains. This requires a big step up or down from passengers which some passengers may find difficult to negotiate.

After an appeal from George Ferguson, the Chairperson of The Broughty Ferry Community Council, First ScotRail have provided two sets of wooden steps on each of the platforms.

It is not clear who is responsible for moving these sets into place and how a passenger that needs help signals this to staff on the trains. I have written to First ScotRail to ask for clarification and to propose that their instructions to passengers about accessing the steps is publicised on the platforms and via announcements on the train.

National Poetry Day Thursday 4 October 2013

Click on image to enlarge

Today is National Poetry Day 2013.

The theme of this year's day is "water". On a day when a downpour was anticipated in the weather forecast, it's appropriate to pick out, Dundee born, Don Patterson's poem, "Rain".

This is one a series of a eight poems available printed on postcards. Copies of the poem postcards were available for schools and also distributed through libraries. On Tuesday, when I checked, there were still some free Poetry Postcards available in our Broughty Ferry Community Library on Queen Street. 

Link to "Rain" by Don Patterson, read by Patrick Wallace. 

Enjoy!

Poem © Don Paterson 2011 by permission of the author c/o Rogers, Coleridge & White Ltd

Police Scotland in Transition - Commenting on their First Six Months

Tuesday marked six months from the merger of the eight former Police Forces in Scotland into a single Police service for Scotland. These are my impressions about Policing in The Ferry drawing on my knowledge as a former member of the Tayside Police Board.

The merger of eight police forces into one came with financial strings attached by the SNP government. This merger was meant to deliver unrealistic levels of immediate savings. This has made the process of merger much more difficult. To protect the jobs of the uniformed Police men and women, job cuts have been focused on the civilian staff. As a result, too many of our Police Officers aren't patrolling the streets but are sitting behind desks, having become backroom bobbies.

The deployment of a single national police force is more fluid and flexible. This can work to our advantage when specialist teams drawn from elsewhere move into Dundee for an operation to tackle a specific issue. The other side of the coin it seems is that 'local' officers on the beat in our communities are more likely to be re-deployed to help police events outside The Ferry. This also reduces their visibility on our streets.

Ominously Police Scotland have been undertaking a review of their properties with a view to rationalisation. I am worried that our Police Office in Broughty Ferry will be on some future list for closure. I know many members of the public and the Community Council would like our Police Office to operate as a Police Station with a public access counter rather than merely as an office base for Police Officers working in the area. Unfortunately this prospect seems even more unlikely following the publication of the Public Counters and Traffic Wardens Review on Tuesday. The associated Tayside Public Briefing Paper proposes the closure of the public counter at the exisiting Maryfield and Longhaugh Police Stations in the East of the City. This would mean there would be no Police public counters left in the entire east of the City. It may save money, but its cutting off access for people who prefer to speak face to face rather than use the telephone and negotiate multiple numbered options.

All Councillors in Dundee are now kept informed about Policing activities through special meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee focused on Police, Fire and Community Safety. The Police are also good partners attending and reporting to our Local Community Planning Partnerships. It is however too early to say whether these structures will have much clout about major decisions that affect Policing in our area.

In the year marking the centenary of Broughty Ferry losing its independence and becoming part of Dundee, it is salutatory to remember that one hundred years ago we had our own Broughty Ferry Police accountable directly to the Burgh Council. I am sure those Broughty Ferry Police were accessible to their public on the Street and at the Burgh Chambers.

Swift Action by City Council to Remove Damaged Bike Rack and Order Replacement

On Monday I reported to the City Council that one of the bike racks on the pavement in central Broughty Ferry had been damaged over the weekend. On Wednesday, Council staff confirmed that that the damaged bike rack on Brook Street outside Greggs has now been uplifted and an order has been raised for its replacement. 

As yet there is no information regarding timescale for the delivery and installation of the replacement but I have been assured I will be updated when this information becomes available. 

I think that is a prompt and very satisfactory response from the Council

I have not however yet been contacted by Police Scotland since ringing in my report on Monday about this vandalism and asking that the CCT footage was examined to identify and apprehend the culprits.

Report to the October Meeting of the Broughty Ferry Community Council

Changes to Licensing Hours 
As fellow Community Councillors know, I have encouraged the Community Council to respond to the parallel consultations held over the summer into proposals to extend licensing hours for the sale of alcohol in pubs and clubs and the sale of takeaway food.

On Monday 16 September the Licensing Board (I am not a member of the Licensing Board) approved longer and later weekend licensing hours for the ‘on’ sales of alcohol. In the Licensing Committee (of which I am a member) later that morning, the Committee agreed to revised opening hours for hot food takeaways in the City Centre. This committee agreed however to defer a decision on opening hours outside the city centre. This will be reconsidered at the Licensing Committee on Thursday 3 October. Under the Councillor’s Code of Conduct, I will not be making up my mind about how to respond to this issue until I have heard and read all the evidence submitted at the Licensing Committee meeting.

Road Safety at Barnhill Primary School
Following the long term absence of the Barnhill PS Crossing Patroller who is stationed at the junction of Falkland Crescent with Balgillo Road parents were concerned to find that there was no cover from the Council nor Police Scotland. This also applied to year long lack of a Patroller at the junction of Wyvis Road and Balgillo Road. Council officers have agreed to priorititise two appointments for Barnhill following the recent selection interviews. The Director of Transportation is also investigating putting up Slow Children crossing signs on Balgillo Road because to the speed of the traffic.

Eastern Primary School Parking & Pupil Safety Issues
I followed up the issues raised at the last meeting by Vice Chair, Stan Nutt, about parking and pupil safety issues around Eastern Primary School in the vicinity of the main entance to the school and shared vehicular access driveway to Stan and his neigbours’ homes. The Head Teacher is having a meeting with Neil Gellatly to try to resolve some of these related issues. One of the practical issues affecting the management of the school is the necessity for the head teacher to attend meetings in other locations in the city and yet currently does not have a reserved place close to the school when she returns.

Scottish Water – Replacement Sewer Junction
The replacement of the leaking concrete sewer junction partly buried under the beach was nudged forward by the City Development Committee. At out meeting ten days ago the Council approved Scottish Water’s application to dig up the sea bed at the location close to Douglas Terrace.

Advertising in a Conservation Area
As a supplement to the updating the Conservation Area Plan for central Broughty Ferry (and other Conservation areas), the planning department are developing a policy which would provide a greater measure of control over advertising on buildings in the Conservation Area.

Bins
Following my request, on behalf of the Ferryfields Residents Association, additional dog poo bins have been installed in and around the Ferryfields estate.

The Environment Department have agreed to provide a larger capacity rubbish bin on Grassy Beach close to the Royal Tay Yacht Club premises as the current smaller bin is often overflowing.

Vandalism in Barnhill and Brook Street
After a relatively quieter time on the vandalism front, it would appear that there is another spate of such incidents following a series of graffiti tags in Barnhill late last Thursday night and in the early hours of Friday morning.

On Monday of this week, I reported the vandalised cycle rack outside Greggs on Brook Street. When I reported this to the Police, I asked that they refer to recorded CCTV footage to try to identify the culprits over the weekend. Council Officers I contacted have confirmed they will arrange for the removal of the broken cycle rack and then subsequently a replacement that matches the remainder of the street furniture. 

Broughty Ferry Community Council meets on the first Tuesday of every month (excluding August) in the Community Library, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry Dundee DD5 2HN. Community Council meetings begin at 7pm and are open to the public.

International Day of Older People 2013 - The future we want: what older persons are saying

Today is International Day of Older People. The theme this year is:
 “The future we want: what older persons are saying”. 

People are living longer and 23% of the UK will be aged 65 and over by 2035. In the UK we are celebrating the huge contribution that older people make to our society. 

I think more folk living longer should be celebrated as a medical achievement rather than as a social problem.

Take the opportunity of celebrating this International Day of Older Persons by voting on what is most important for you and your family. 

Join the global vote and register your priorities.