Laurie Bidwell

Scottish Government and Dundee City Council Out of Step on Exercise

2012-02-16T20:00:00.000Z

On Monday 13 February the Scottish Government launched the the Take Life On initiative to promote the benefits of children participating in 60 minutes of exercise each day.

The most recent Scottish Health Survey found that only seven out of ten children meet the minimum physical activity recommendations.

Dr Andrew Murray, the Scottish Government’s Physical Activity Champion said:
“As a day to day GP, I know that Take Life On is a fantastic investment in Scotland’s health. Getting your children active and keeping them active has huge and lasting benefits and can be great fun.
“Being physically active improves achievement and concentration at school, and also prevents heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer in later life. It is the single best present you can give your children. Just 60 minutes of physical activity per day will help your children become healthier, happier adults. I’d urge everybody to take life on today.”

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said:
“One of the most fundamental health challenges facing our nation is convincing young people to spend more time taking part in physical activity. The Scottish Health Survey shows more needs to be done to increase the number of children getting enough exercise."

“This year’s Take Life On campaign highlights to parents simple changes they can make to their children’s life to get them increasingly active and reduce the likelihood of illness later in life.
“But we recognise there is more we as a Government can do. That’s why we are investing in opportunities for young people to become more physically active in and around Scotland’s schools, such as the Active Schools Network, the delivery of 150 Community Sport Hubs across all local authorities by 2016, and action to help people make healthy life choices."

While the package of measures announced is welcomed and the campaign is laudable, it was a pity that Shona Robison was not talking to her SNP colleagues running the City Council. On Thursday 9 February they bulldozed through their budget savings that will come into effect in April. They insisted on cutting the team of visiting PE teachers that currently work in each one of our Primary Schools. These teachers, with specialist qualifications, will be sorely missed. It's surprising that the SNP group on the city council insisted on going through with this cut to the Primary PE teachers as Labour offered them a carefully costed alternative budget that found other savings to keep these teachers in the gym hall. This required economies that are in some cases overdue such as reducing the number of chauffeur driven civic cars from two to one.

Apparently, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Another short term cut with the potential to do long term damage to the education and health of our children.

Statement Supporting Labour's Amendment to the Council's Revenue Budget 2012/2023 - More Nats Fewer Teachers

2012-02-10T12:00:00.000Z

Statement by Councillor Laurie Bidwell supporting Labour's Amendment to the Council's Revenue Budget 2012/2023 at the Budget Meeting on Thursday 9 February 2012

Convener, I wish to speak to support our Revenue Budget Amendment.

As Labour’s Education spokesperson, I want to focus on the impact of your SNP Administration’s proposals for further cuts in the number of teachers in our Primary Schools.

The visiting teachers of Music and PE enrich the teaching and learning of Music and PE in our Primary Schools so this is a universal service for every child in every primary school in Dundee. These teachers use their specialist skills and specialist qualifications to enhance the learning of these two important subjects. I know in my own area that the visiting PE Teacher not only contributes to the PE teaching in our three Primary Schools but also voluntarily takes an after school club or activity in each of the primary schools she supports. For example, in Barnhill Primary School she takes the Gymnastics Club. Now you can’t tell me that this is something that will be taken on by a class teacher with no specialist training or qualifications. This is particularly sad because the Council is converting the McTaggart Sports Centre in Old Glamis Road into a national centre for Gymnastics. It’s a pity we won’t be encouraging many gymnasts in our Primary Schools to get started on a route towards outstanding achievement in gymnastics. In relation to Music at another Primary School Parent Council meeting in the last fortnight, there was an appeal for volunteers to play the piano for the school show.The school's current pianist is their visiting music specialist who works at rehearsals and performances undertaking a variety of roles including pianist and the singing coach.

Talking of Excellence, two of the eight curriculum areas for the Curriculum for Excellence are:

Health and Wellbeing and
Expressive Arts

Related to the first is the national standard of two hours of quality PE for each pupil each week. You have to ask whether this cut will enhance the quality of PE in our primary schools? In relation to Music, if we want our primary children to appreciate music and aspire to playing more than air guitar, we should not be making this cut.

These targets and aspirations are empty promises if the resources are not available to support them in our schools.

Now if I turn to our budget measures to keep these teachers in our Primary Schools, they are measured and affordable. I will focus on the two chauffeur driven Civic Cars and our proposals to reduce these from two to one. Now at the outset we want to make it clear that we respect the Civic Offices of Lord Provost and Depute Lord Provost, that is why we have proposed to retain one Civic Car. But I think every family and household in Dundee has been making decisions to cut down on their journeys because their household budgets are being squeezed. It’s amazing to me that for the second year running we have suggested that we should reduce the number of civic chauffeur driven cars in the city from two to one and you Convener and all your SNP councillor colleagues resist this. I think the Dundee public will expect us to use buses, cars, taxis, bikes and shanks’s pony like them. Walking and cycling would also be good for our fitness and help reduce carbon emissions in our city. Will the Councillors who need to be chauffeur drive round the city please stand up now and be counted? Surely this is less important than our Primary school children and their visiting specialists teachers?

You can’t be proud of the fact that you have reduced the number of teachers in Dundee by 99 in the last year and this budget proposal will lead to a further reduction.

Even at this stage. I urge you and your SNP colleagues to change your mind and support our amendment and thereby protect the health and wellbeing and expressive arts teaching and learning of our Primary School Children in every one of our Primary Schools.

Statement by Councillor Laurie Bidwell moving the Labour Amendment to the Capital Plan 2012/16

2012-02-09T22:46:00.000Z

Statement by Councillor Laurie Bidwell moving Labour's Amendment to the Council's Capital Plan 2012/2016 at the Budget Meeting on Thursday 9 February 2012

I wish to move our amendment to the Capital Plan.

Make no mistake we support the planned investment in two new Primary Schools, in Menzieshill and Coldside, and £1 million for the extension of Barnhill Primary School and a fund of £1.75 million for the refurbishment of seven primary schools; about £250,000 per school. What we propose is more investment in our schools.

We justify our amendment for the following reasons. Firstly, if we look at the underlying trend in capital spending, investment in refurbishing and building new schools is reduced over the period of this plan. This must be disappointing news for electors who believed SNP Councillors who promised to match Labour's school building programme brick for brick.

Secondly the budget for refurbishment and extensions and is too small. Most significant is the absence of spending earmarked for our four older secondary schools. Baldragon Academy opened over fifty years ago as Kirkton High School in 1960 and Craigie High School, Menzieshill High School and Braeview Academy all built forty years ago in the early 1970's. Speaking recently to the Press, the Leader of the Administration, Councillor Ken Guild, referred to Our Ladies RC Primary School and Rosebank Primary School in the Hilltown as past their sell by date. If that is true, and I agree with his judgement, that makes our older Secondary Schools deserving of refurbishment funding too. We have therefore re-profiled the capital spend so that there is an additionally £1.4 million as a fund to be allocated to priority refurbishment and building projects in secondary and primary schools with priorities decided at the Education Committee.

I think pupils and teachers studying and teaching in our four older Secondary Schools will wonder why they have been abandoned for the next five years and don't even manage an entry in the Later Years column of the plan. There is a gulf between our shiny new two PPP secondary schools St Paul's RC Academy and Grove Academy, the rebuilt Morgan Academy, the substantially refurbished St John's RC High School the eventually to be rebuilt Harris Academy and the remaining four older secondary schools. No other political group on the Council has identified this issue. We think the provision of this fund boosted by the additional cash coming for Education of the Scottish government's budget yesterday will provide some pockets of hope to schools left off the list by the Administration's Capital Plan.

Our re-profiling of the capital plan delays by a year the spending on New or Refurbished Centralised offices and other facilities for the new Environment Department. Having received a briefing about this from the Director of Environmental Services, a one year delay will allow more time to rethink the rationale for this development and the appearance of more robust options and plans to be brought forward for committee approval. We can't prioritise spending on Council Offices on the basis of back of the envelope plans at the expense of cheese paring investment in our older schools.

So the choice is clear today, go with this plan and cut out spending on any of our older schools such as the four older Secondary schools. If you vote against this, I think voters in the catchment areas of our older schools will wonder why you blundered today.

Support our amendment and prioritise more investment in school building instead of more new staff offices.

I so move.

Curriculum for Excellence in Dundee - Urgent Local and National Changes Required

2012-02-08T15:33:00.000Z

Now that the 33 period week has been abandoned in Dundee, parents and carers and members of the Education Committee need to know how our nine secondary schools will progress the new S3 which will run for the first time from August 2012. We also need to know how the senior phase, S4-S6, will be structured. The first students undertaking the new S4 on Curriculum for Excellence will begin their studies in August 2013. This year of study will lead up to the examinations, National 4 and 5, in May 2013.

Although the new S4 was not strictly part of the consultation about the 33 period week, it was inquired about by parents at both of the consultation events I attended at Grove Academy and Morgan Academy. The biggest bone of contention is the narrowed number of subjects that each pupil will apparently be able take in S4. Pupils will only be able to take a maximum of six subjects at National 4 or 5, the new exams, compared with a maximum of eight subjects at Standard Grade, which are being phased out. While a model of the the new 'senior phase' (S3-S6) has been sent to the Head Teachers in our nine secondary schools, there has not been a cheep to the Education Committee. This should be remedied at the next Education Committee. I have written to the Council requesting that this is added to the agenda of the next meeting of the Education Committee.

This narrowing of subject choice in S4 seems at odds with the stated aspirations of the Curriculum for Excellence which was supposed to provide a more comprehensive broad general education. It seems we may have had all this upheaval to make S3 a general year with a wider number of subjects while postponing exams until S4 when there would be 25% fewer subject choices.

But not all these issues can be fixed on the spot in Dundee; some need attention at the national level by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mike Russell.

For example, the slow pace of details being released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority about the new National Four and Five examinations is reducing the long term planning time in secondary schools. This could be remedied by a one year postponement of implementing the introduction of the new examinations and continuing with Standard Grades for another year. In similar circumstances in England, the government have been prepared to allow twelve months more for preparing for an important educational change. Last week we learned that in East Renfrewshire, a Labour/SNP led council has decided to postpone putting its pupils in for the new exams by one year.

If we don't take this decision to postpone in the next few weeks, timetables will be written for next year and we will be saddled with a change that is being rushed in without the confidence of teachers, parents and carers that this is neither the right change nor the right timescale for the new exams.

If I met Michael Russell, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, these are the four key questions I should want to ask him about making a success of the Curriculum for Excellence in Dundee schools:

Why, while advocating a broader general education via curriculum for excellence, is choice actually going to be decreased by a quarter in S4? What has he got to say to the parents who have already complained about the effects of this reduced number of choices in S4 on the options for their child in meeting entrance requirements for some University courses?
Why has the Cabinet Secretary gone out of his way to antagonise teachers by cutting their conditions of work and their pensions at a time when he needs their undivided professional attention to make a success of implementing the Curriculum for Excellence and the new examinations?
Why has be allowed the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to get so far behind providing the documentation for schools and teachers so that they can adequately prepare themselves and their senior pupils for the new exams to be sat for the first time in May 2014? Many parent are worried that their children are the unfortunate guinea pigs for all these changes.
Many secondary teachers feel they are under prepared and the changes in the Senior Phase (S4-S6) of Secondary Schools are being rushed. Many parents have reservations too. Will he now provide another year of preparation time for the new examinations and review the limits on subject choices in S3/4?

HM Queen Elizabeth 60th Anniversary of her Accession to the Throne

2012-02-06T16:00:00.000Z

First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

The First Minister said:"I congratulate Her Majesty on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne, during which she has served her country with the utmost grace and distinction.

Her dedication and commitment has inspired countless people across the country and around the world. And of course, Her Majesty’s affection for Scotland is reciprocated by Scots of all generations. I am looking forward to the official celebrations of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in June. The Scottish Government is working closely with Lord Lieutenants across Scotland in relation to the many events which are being organised by communities to celebrate this wonderful occasion.”
I agree with Alex.

Her Majesty the Queen came to the throne on February 6, 1952 and her Coronation took place on June 2, 1953. The main Diamond Jubilee celebrations marking 60 years of HM the Queen's reign will take place will centre around an extended weekend from June 2 to June 5 2012. Communities across Scotland will take part in the Big Jubilee Lunch and beacons will be lit across Scotland as part of the 2,012 beacons being lit across the UK. Beacons will be lit at Balmoral Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle amongst other venues.

Safer Internet Day 2012 and Internet Safety Competition

2012-02-05T17:42:00.000Z

Tuesday 7 February, is Safer Internet Day in the UK. Safer Internet Day 2012 is celebrated worldwide and this year is an opportunity to encourage users young and old to "discover the digital world together safely".

An inspirational array of activity is taking place nationwide, coordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre (www.saferinternet.org.uk), with all activities focusing attention on empowering all generations to safely benefit from the opportunities that the internet offers.

To coincide with Safer Internet Day 2012 the Scottish Government is running an Internet Safety competition for children at school. parents and adults.
Please click on the link below for:

CompetitionBrief

CompetitionEntry Form
ScottishGovernment Internet Safety Leaflet

Should we Delay the Introduction of the New National Exams in Dundee Secondary Schools?

2012-02-04T16:16:00.000Z

Now that the 33 period week has been abandoned in Dundee, parents and carers and members of the Education Committee need to know how our nine secondary schools are planning the new S3, which will run for the first time from August 2012. We also need to know how the senior phase, S4-S6, will be structured. The first students undertaking the new S4 on Curriculum for Excellence will begin their studies in August 2013. This year of study will lead up to the examinations, National 4 and 5, in May 2014.
Earlier this week, East Refrewshire Council announced that they had decided to delay by a year putting their secondary pupils in for the new National 4 and 5 Examinations. Current S2 pupils in Dundee will be amongst the first to sit these in June 2014. Teachers' leaders have also voiced concerns that many secondary teachers do not feel adequately prepared for the next phase of implementing the Curriculum for Excellence. This is not a vote of confidence in the Scottish Government’s plans for the Curriculum for Excellence which frankly seem to be unravelling.
In Dundee we need to know whether the Education Convener, Liz Fordyce has a Plan B for our secondary schools? More specifically, will she give an absolute guarantee that the resources are in place and that teachers in all our nine secondary schools will be ready for the next phase of the introduction of the Curriculum for Excellence and preparing their pupils for the new examinations? If not, will she stand by her pupils and give their teachers an additional year to prepare for the new examinations while continuing with Standard Grades? This would allow one more year of preparation for our secondary teachers.
While I appreciate that she is standing down as a Councillor in May, I hope, for the sake of the pupils involved, she is looking further ahead. It's not Liz Fordyce's education which is at risk, nor mine. We can’t afford to gamble with the education of our children.

Scottish Snowdrop Festival, 4 February to 18 March 2012

2012-02-03T03:00:00.000Z

Refresh yoursenses at a surprising variety of locations during the ScottishSnowdrop Festival, 4 Feb to 18 Mar 2012.

Takingplace at over 50 gardens across Scotland’s mainland, the festival is agreat chance to get out in the fresh air and explore your local area, visitgardens and parks - some of which are open especially for the festival - andenjoy around 300 types of this delicate white flower which appears to defeatthe cold winter by bursting into life each year.

The closestlocation to Dundee to see the snowdrops is at

Gagie House by Dundee

It features asemi-wild pond garden and 1 mile woodland walk in a secluded dell along a burn.
Picnic table. Do-it-yourself tearoom.

Open 4February - 18 March, 10am - 5pm (entry £4)

Address: Gagie House, Duntrune, Dundee, DD4 0PR

Telephone:01382 380 207

Council Contractors Repair Damage to Fort Street Bridge Panels and Hole in the Sea Wall

2012-02-02T10:00:00.000Z

Just before Christmas I noticed that some of the panels on the parapet of the Fort Street bridge had been damaged. Unfortunately, the shape of the holes suggested that the panels had been kicked in. I alerted the Council about this. I was therefore delighted to see that work people were on the bridge on Thursday replacing the broken panels and then repainting the side of the bridge.

It was also good to see that work had also been been completed last week on the repairs to the sea wall between Douglas Terrace and the Broughty Lifeboat shed. Just after new year, I had noticed a significant breach in the sea wall while out on a walk to the paper shop to buy my copy of the the Evening Telegraph and so I contacted the City Engineer.

Congratulations are due to the Council for acting promptly to inspect both the bridge and the sea wall and then instructing contractors to carry out repairs promptly.

While no one can begrudge having to pay for repairing the sea wall and protecting the road and homes close to the beach, it is regrettable that we are having to use council tax to repair public property like the bridge panels that were damaged by mindless acts of vandalism.

Labour's Alternative Budget Proposals for Dundee

2012-02-01T14:00:00.000Z

Yesterday afternoon the Labour Group met to develop our alternative proposals to the Council's revenue and capital budgets.

We are particularly unhappy about the SNP's proposed cuts to the visiting PE and Music teachers who help to enrich the curriculum in our primary schools. We think this is an especially short sighted saving. Right now we should trying to encourage our young people to be more actively involved in sports and leisure activities including music making. This should be happening in all our primary schools.

We have also been examining the Capital Budget 2012/16 and identifying scope for investing more money on refurbishing our older schools. We have been interested in the case for investment in Blackness Primary School being raised in the Courier earlier this week. We think there are other schools in the city that need to be upgraded as well as Blackness. It's important that we avoid having a two tier set of school buildings with unacceptable differences between all the new Primary and Secondary schools Labour commissioned and the existing schools that are not currently being considered for replacement.

We will bring forward proposals next week that will improve this budget for the people of Dundee.

Gordon Wilson Agrees with my Criticism of SNP Government's Rail Strategy

2012-01-31T09:25:00.000Z

I agree with Gordon.

In theCourier yesterday I noticed a prominent article drawing attention to the “embarrassingfailure” of the Scottish Government’s Rail 2016 Strategy currently out forconsultation. These withering words were fromour former MP for Dundee East, the SNP's own Gordon Wilson.

I am pleased he has followed my lead inpointing out the disadvantages of this strategy for Dundee rail travellers. Readmy concerns published on 23^rd November 2011.

Morespecifically, he says in his formal response to the Scottish Government'sconsultation, that the immediate priority is ensuring that East Coast trainsfrom London continue through Fife, Dundee and Angus to Aberdeen. It is proposedthat the services could terminate in Edinburgh with ScotRail taking over therest of the journey north.
''This will leave Aberdeen andintermediate station passengers, laden with luggage for long-distance journeys,forced to travel in ScotRail's inadequate rolling stock and having to changetrains and platforms in Edinburgh,''
''This will be a nightmare forfamilies with young children, the elderly and disabled. It also downgrades thestatus of Aberdeen and Dundee within the transport network.”
''One would have thought that Transport Scotland would have been alive to thedifficulties likely to be faced by travellers from Aberdeen, Dundee and Fife —all heavily populated areas — and would have argued the case for retention ofthe service.” "Instead, the contrary is true. The paper opens the gate toloss of the direct London service.”
"The service from Aberdeen gathers passengers at intermediate points likeMontrose, Arbroath, Dundee and Fife. They are entitled to have their travellinginterests considered by Scotland's transport agency when it formulates policy.'
Hear hear!
If like me and Gordon you think we should"hang on to what we've got" send in your response to theconsultation - the closing date for responses is 20 February 2012. Moreinformation is available from the Scottish Government.

Applications via UCAS to Universities in Dundee Increase

2012-01-30T12:24:00.000Z

Figures released today by the the UK University and College Admissions Service (UCAS), show an increasing number of applicants for places on degree level courses at our two Universities in Dundee beginning in August this year.

After the shenanigans about the SNP's proposed forced merger of our two Universities last year, it is good to see that applications to both institutions show a healthy increase with Abertay attracting a higher increase in applicants than Dundee.

Table showing applications to individual universities and colleges recruitingstudents through UCAS for autumn 2012

Code	Institution name	2011 Degree	2012 Degree	% change
A30	University of Abertay Dundee	5,622	5,898	4.9%
D65	University of Dundee	18,086	18,580	2.7%

While Scotland has bucked the trend in England of decreasing applicants to Universities, countrywide analysis of applicants indicates a decline in the number of applicants from disadvantaged areas in Scotland. This may unfortunately be the result of mounting unemployment amongst graduates. It will be important to monitor this to ensure that the decline this year if not the beginning of a trend.

UCAS ably supports students making applications to any University in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This begs the question as to whether this is another trusted and successful UK institution that, post independence, we should be excluded from?

Education Committee Decisions Last Monday

2012-01-30T10:58:00.000Z

At the Education Committee last week (Monday 23rd January 2012) we took three key decisions.

The first was to approve the school holidays for the 2013/14. This follows the new pattern of holidays which incorporate the October holiday in the second and third weeks of October. It is helpful to declare school holidays a long time ahead as these days many parents and carers make holiday arrangements a long time ahead. This allows them to do so with the confidence that they know when they can arrange their family holidays without compromising the education of their children.

Secondly, the committee approved the four classroom extension to Kingspark School at a cost just exceeding £1m. I was fully behind this expenditure but had previously voiced concern that the council had put the cart before the horse by seeking planning permission for the proposed building work in advance of seeking approval from the Education Committee. The inclusion of architectural drawings at the Education Committee and the City Architect available on hand to answer questions, provided reassurance that a development was appropriate to the needs of the children with multiple and profound disabilities that attend Kingspark and the short timescale had not compromised proper preparation of the proposal.

Thirdly, the Education Committee were advised that following a period of consultation, the proposal for a standardised 33 period week in each of our nine secondary schools had been dropped because it had failed to persuade parents, carers and teachers of its merit. Incorporated in this design was a proposal for a daily twenty minute period of Tutor time where pupils would met their, Tutor or Key Adult. This is defined as follows in the documentation for Curriculum for Excellence: 'All childrenand young people should have frequent opportunities to discuss their learningwith an adult who can act as a mentor, helping them to set appropriate goalsfor the next stages in learning.'

I asked for reassurance that the provision of each pupil's entitlement for a Key Adult would be honoured in each of our secondary schools notwithstanding the 33 period week proposal falling.

Most importantly I extracted a commitment from the Director of Education, that he would report to an early meeting of the Education Committee about the Council's proposals for the senior phase (S4-S6) and the new S3 running for the first time from August 2012. Most controversial in these changes is likely to be the restriction to six subject choices in the new National 4 and 5 exams to be taken at the end of S4. This is 25% fewer choices than the maximum number currently available with Standard Grades which are to phased out. We were also promised that, before the middle of February, parents and carers would be invited in to their child's secondary school for a briefing on the latest phase of implementation of curriculum for excellence. It is curious that the really important decisions about plans for what will takes place in the classroom, are kept at arms length from the Committee by the Convener of the Committee and the Director of Education.

RSPB big garden Birdwatch - Still Time to Take Part

2012-01-29T15:30:00.000Z

Thisweekend the RSPB haveorganised their Big Garden Birdwatch. There isstill time to observe the birds in your garden for an hour and then record andsend off your observations to the RSPB. A form can be completed online or printedoff and posted.

Withresults from so many gardens, the RSPB are able to create a ‘snapshot’ of bird numbers in eachpart of the UK. This is important because their previous surveys have shownthat some of our birds are disappearing.

We’velost more than half our house sparrows and some three quarters of ourstarlings. And previous results have helped highlight these dramatic declines.However,it isn't all doom and gloom - these surveys help the RSPB spot problems, but moreimportantly, they are also the first step in putting things right.

Mywife, Rowena, conducted her observations this morning and recorded, robins, sparrows,blackbirds, a starling, gulls and a blue tit in our front garden.

TheRSPB look forward to finding out what you've seen.

Air Pollution Alert Service is Launched

2012-01-28T12:59:00.000Z

The recent adoption by the City Council of anAir Quality Action Plan for Dundee has alerted us to the fact that there areparts of Dundee where air pollution, particularly from vehicle exhaust emissions, exceeds government health guidelines. This makes the new Know and Respond-Scotland service of relevance and importance.

Know and Respond-Scotland is a free service that sends registeredusers an alert message, by text or email, if air pollution in their area isforecast to be moderate, high or very high. The description of the level ofpollution is based upon the Air Quality Banding System.

The alertservice is provided for anyone wishing to know about the quality of the airthey breathe.

It will be ofparticular benefit to people with medical conditions that may be affected bypollution, such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. It may also benefit peoplewhose breathing gets worse when air pollution increases. This early warningservice allows registered users to make informed decisions and take action if necessary to minimise the effects ofpollution episodes.More information about this free public service and details of how to sign up.

Cautious Welcome for Barnhill Primary School Extension

2012-01-27T10:45:00.000Z

Dundee City Council's Draft Capital Plan was circulated on Tuesday 24th January and will be part of the Budget meeting on 9 February.

The inclusion in the new Capital Plan of £1m for a 4 classroom extension to and refurbishment of Barnhill Primary School is welcome. I have been calling for this for a long time including raising it on the agenda of the Education Committee last March.

This announcement is some recognition that more accommodation is required at Barnhill Primary School to fit in the rising number of children within the school's catchment area in Barnhill, Panmurefield and Balmossiie Brae. Parents and carers with pre-school children in this part of The Ferry will be relieved that, by the summer of 2014, the school will be able to accommodate more children.

Of course it's really early days, and the detail in the report is thin. While £1m is welcome, this is only 20% of the money previously earmarked for future spending on refurbishing and extending the school. Bearing in mind that a similar amount of money was approved on a 4 classroom extension to Kingspark School at the Education Committee on Monday 23rd January, the refurbishment will be limited and certainly not on the scale of the extension and refurbishment at Forthill Primary School a number of years ago.

I will be talking to members of the Parent Council and the Head Teacher about this. I hope we will be able to treat this as a down payment and get the Council to increase the budget so that not only will more classrooms be in place but the other facilities in the school, such as the already overcrowded dining hall, can be extended to help keep pace with the rising number of children in the school.

Labour Councillors Respond to Council's School Building Programme

2012-01-26T12:56:00.001Z

The Council's Draft Capital Plan was circulated on Tuesday afternoon and will be part of the Budget Meeting to be approved in two weeks time. This report spells out the school building programme including new schools and refurbishments of existing schools.

Labour's Education Spokesperson in the City, Councillor Laurie Bidwell said:

"The intention to build two new Primary schools, extend another and refurbish seven further primary schools in the City is welcomed. But clearly we need more detail to know what is planned. I hope an early report to the Education Committee will help clarify which schools are involved and to what the planned programme spend will cover."

Coldside Labour Councillors, Mohammed Asif and Helen Wright said:

"We are right behind the proposal to build a new Primary School with Community Facilities in our ward which we have called for. Parents and carers will welcome the new investment in the Education of their children. We hope the inclusion of community facilities will replace the Highwayman and help put the heart back into the community. We also welcome the inclusion of Dens Road Primary School in the refurbishment programme. Of course it's early days but like our constituents we will need to know which of our Coldside schools is to be replaced by the new build school and where this is to be built."

Lochee Labour Councillor Tom Ferguson said:

"I welcome the proposal for a replacement Primary School with community facilities in Menzieshill. Co-housing a new Primary School with community facilities will be advantageous for the community of Menzieshill. I also welcome the inclusion of Ancrum Road and St Mary's RC School in the refurbishment programme. Of course the report is short on detail at the moment. We need to know which primary school will be replaced and whether the new community facilities will be additional or a replacement for the existing Community Centre and Library. I will be talking to parents, constituents and Head Teachers and the Community Centre staff about this in the coming weeks."

Councillor Laurie Bidwell said:

"The inclusion of £1m for a 4 classroom extension to and refurbishment of Barnhill Primary School is welcome. Parents and carers in Barnhill, Panmurefield and Balmossie Brae with pre-school children will be relieved that the school will be able to cope with the rising pre-school population in the school's catchment area."

Holocaust Memorial Day Thursday 26 January 2012

2012-01-26T01:50:00.000Z

Today is International Holocaust Memorial Day.

Holocaust Memorial Day provides a focus for learning lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and apply them to the present day to create a safer, better future. On Holocaust Memorial Day we share the memory of the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur in order to challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is a charity which works to raise awareness of HMD. You can find out more about what we do on our website. we share the memory of the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur in order to challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.

The Nazi concentration camps were liberated by allied troops from 1944, the largest camp – Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by Soviet troops on 27 January 1945, and it is on this day that we mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Find out more about the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust on their website.

British Transport Police Surveillance at Gray Street Level Crossing

2012-01-25T16:32:00.002Z

Earlier today British Transport Police were monitoring motorists and pedestrians at the Gray Street level crossing in the Ferry. They were using their mobile facility, which has CCTV and can record motorists and pedestrians who foolishly try to beat the lights and barriers when a train is approaching. Folk who are caught on camera are usually referred to the Procurator Fiscal.

I am glad British Transport Police are back in The Ferry because, when they visited in August they found many folk ignoring the warning lights. Of course an additional reason for their visit is to monitor movements at the level crossing while the pedestrian underpass is closed. I hope motorists learned their lesson the last time the Transport Police were handing out their fixed penalties!

Clementine of Broughty Ferry is Shortlisted for Telegraph Magasine's, Best Small Shops in Britain Award

2012-01-24T15:43:00.000Z

Congratulations to Clementine of Broughty Ferry owners, Jan McTaggart and Carole Sommerville, who are setting off to London to attend The Telegraph Magasine’s Best Small Shops in Britain Award Ceremony. This will be presented by Mary Queen of Shops, Mary Portas.

Clementine’s customers voted for the shop, online in October 2011, ensuring that the small, local greengrocer made it on to a shortlist of just three retailers for the Best in Food category. All the shops will be visited by a judge from The Daily Telegraph and the winner announced at a ceremony in London on Wednesday 22 February 2012.

The awards, now in their sixth year, invite customers to vote in nine categories, from women's and men's fashion to interiors, food, wine and books.

I am pleased that their dedication and creative approach to retailing combined with the fine quality of their produce, often locally sourced, has been widely recognised in our community by customers who have voted for them.

If they win they will be off to Spain to enjoy their award, a three-night stay for two at Hacienda de San Rafael, southern Spain, including flights.

Clementine owners Jan McTaggart and Carole Sommerville were delighted to hear of the nomination:

‘We’re very grateful to all those customers who took the time to vote for us. We’ve been working hard to make Clementine a success and we get lovely compliments from customers every day – but this is incredibly exciting.

We’re sure that, in addition to the locally sourced produce available in the shop, our weekly ‘Soup in a Bag’ has been a great way to get the shop noticed and attract regular customers.’

Clementine of Broughty Ferry

103 Gray Street DD5 2DN 01382 738 939

Open Mon – Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm

www.clementineofbroughtyferry.com

Well Qualified and Growing Population Positive Indicators for Dundee in Agenda for Cities Report

2012-01-23T21:00:00.000Z

While the Cities Outlook Report 2012,makes it clear that Dundee is really suffering in the current economicrecession, there are two positive statistics in the report which shouldn't be lost:

the qualifications of the population and recent population growth.

One prominent and favourable statistic for Dundee in the Agendafor Cities Report is that our city is amongst the top ten cities in the UK foreducational qualifications.

Over one-third of the adult population has a university degree,higher degree, diploma or its equivalent.

This shows the very high skills base that Dundee possesses toattract potential businesses and to drive the city’s future economic growth.

Anotherpromising feature recorded in the report has been the turn-around in the city’spopulation. Over the past two years the city has achieved an encouragingincrease in population of over 2,000.

Our well qualified population and our increase in population areboth positive indicators which should help the city make the best of theeconomic recovery when it comes.

Supporting Dundee Born and Read

2012-01-22T05:00:00.000Z

On Friday morning, I visited my local library in Broughty Ferry and showed my practical support for the Evening Telegraph's Dundee Born and Read campaign by donating some children's books.

I know from personal experience how important it is to grow up in a home with books and have access to a local library.

I hope the Dundee Born and Read campaign encourages more children in our city to read for pleasure.

I also hope that it will help build links between children and their local libraries where a wonderful range of books is available.

Links to Leisure and Culture Dundee - listing of Library Opening hours.

32 Period Week Proposal to be Withdrawn but Parents Still Require Urgent Answers

2012-01-21T02:00:00.001Z

At the next Education Committee (Monday 23rd January 2012) there is a report about responses to the consultation about the 33 period week. This consultation was about a proposal to standardise the school week across the 9 secondary schools in Dundee.

It is clear from the committee report that this proposal neither persuaded parents and carers nor teachers. With such a mixed response, it is not surprising that the proposal has been withdrawn.

There is however a crucial question which is not contained within the report and requires answers at the Education Committee.

In the presentation which was used at the consultation events, the preferred timetable had thirty one periods of 50 minutes with the addition of one daily twenty minute period, called Tutorial, which combined the functions of registration and some roles connected with guidance. Attenders at the consultation were all told that Tutor Time was necessary as part of meeting the new pupil entitlement in the Curriculum,for Excellence. More specifically, that each pupil should have one teacher that knows her/him particularly well. How will this entitlement now be met for every one of our pupils in her/his secondary school?

It is long overdue that the Education Committee are informed about the next steps the Education Department are proposing for the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence in our schools, not merely providing a report telling us what it isn't going to do.

Conundrum of Keeping King Street Clean

2012-01-20T02:00:00.000Z

I have recently received complaints from residents in Central Broughty Ferry about the state of the gulleys and road margins, especially in King Street. My picture show accumulations of sludge and grit in the gutters. As well as being unsightly, if this is left to wash down the drains, it it likely to block them.

Trying to respond to this problem thoroughly is a challenge. Mechanised street sweepers can't get to the road margins because of 24x7 bumper to bumper parked cars. Car parked close to the pavement don't leave much room for a broom either.

One suggestion that has been passed on to me which is apparently used in parts of Edinburgh is to use occasional one day parking restrictions on one side of a street so that the sweeping vehicles can have a clear run. This would clearly cause real parking difficulties on those days. I think residents and businesses in Central Broughty Ferry need to be involved in a debate about whether the disruptive pain of occasional parking restrictions would be worth the gain of cleaner streets. If there are other constructive suggestions, it would be good to hear them.

I shall also be referring this issue to the Broughty Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership. Meanwhile, I have also asked the Council's Environment Department to try to clean up as best they can.

Support Dundee Born and Read

2012-01-19T00:13:00.000Z

The Evening Telegraph is running a great campaign,

Dundee Born and Read

They are trying to collect over 5000 books for school children in Dundee.

Too many children in our city are growing up in homes with few if any books. This is important. We know that children who grow up in households where books are plentiful go further in school than those children growing up without books. Developing good reading habits at home, which starts with being read to, helps children get ready for school and not start school at a disadvantage. Having books at home helps enhance literacy and learning.

I want to not only congratulate D C Thomson on this public spirited initiative but to also to urge Ferry folk to generously support it.

Donations of new or second hand books suitable for youngsters aged 3 to 12 are wanted. Please deposit these in the drop off boxes at our Branch Library in Queen Street. Schools in the city will then distribute the books.

Jenny Marra MSP is also supporting the campaign and drawing attention to it in the Scottish Parliament.

This Is Our Faith Launch at St Paul's RC Academy

2012-01-18T11:40:00.001Z

OnTuesday evening I attended the launch of This Is Our Faith at St Paul's RC Academy.This Is Our Faith, thenew syllabus for Catholic religious education in Scotland, now governs theteaching of religious education in Scotland's Catholic schools. This launchengaged, Teachers, pupils and parents from every Roman Catholic School in theDiocese of Dunkeld along with parish Priests.

This IsOur Faith is the first religious education syllabus to be originated whollyin Scotland and designed to meet the needs of young people in Scotland. TheHoly See's granting of the Decree of Recognitio is a rare and momentousachievement and pays testimony to the great efforts of so many people who havecontributed to the development of the new syllabus.

This is Our Faith is the document which:

is the official guidance which governs the teaching of religious education in Catholic schools in Scotland
deals with the nature of the Catholic school, the purpose of religious education, the role of the teacher, the 8 Strands of Faith and the 'core learning' in faith which young people are expected to experience from P1 through to S3
will help parents, teachers, catechists and clergy to ensure that young people can:
develop their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith
nurture respect for other Christian traditions and world faiths
experience opportunities for spiritual growth
acquire the skills of reflection, discernment and moral decision-making
commit to beliefs, values and actions in a positive response to God’s invitation to faith.

I think This Is Our Faith is an impressive document whichwill not only have an important role in our Catholic Schools but also provideinspirational resources for teaching and learning for all teachers of Religiousand Moral Education (RME).

Captain Scott Reaches South Pole - 100th Anniversary

2012-01-17T09:12:00.001Z

100 years ago today, Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his expedition reached the South Pole. They found that the Norwegian explorer Amunsden had beaten them to the pole by a month.

Dundee has a special connection with Scott and his series of expeditions to Antarctica. This is celebrated at Discovery Point in the city.

Shocking Supply Teacher Gaps in Dundee Secondary Schools - Nearly 1 in 4 requests for supply cover cannot be met

2012-01-16T15:00:00.000Z

Based on figures supplied by the City Council Education Department:

There were 157 requests to the Council for supply cover from Dundee secondary schools since the school year began in August 2011.
I am very disappointed to learn that just under one in four of these requests were not filled (43 out of 157).

Is this the unfortunate result of a money saving ploy, to reduce the wages of short term supply teachers, which has now backfired?

The requests for a supply teacher are made when a teacher is unavailable chiefly because of illness, and for other reasons such as bereavement, professional appointments , maternity leave and attending staff development sessions.

From August 2011, short-term supply teachers have been paid at £70 per day for the first five days of any deployment, and for a maximum of 25 hours (comprising 22.5 hours’ class-contact and 2.5 hours set aside for preparation and correction, pro-rata for those who work less than a full week). In the past, supply teachers were treated on a par with permanent teachers, and paid according to their length of service.

With the approach of important national exams, it is crucial that pupils are taught by the appropriate specialist subject teachers at all times. I would like to know if this is indeed the case when supply cover has been 'successfully' requested.

Parents and carers will be concerned that their children’s education will be suffering, especially if examination classes are affected running up to the SQA examinations in May.

I am calling on the Education Convener to let parents and carers know whether she will:

prioritise reducing the number of unfilled gaps in supply cover to an absolute minimum;
urgently explore alternative and more effective ways of providing supply cover in our schools and
avoid using the non filling of requests for supply as a way of making more savings.

Supply teachers provide a very valuable and important service to schools. It is clear that supply teachers need to be properly treated if we are to attract enough qualified teachers to cover for absent members of the permanent teaching staff in our schools.

Click on this link to read more about the experience of supply teachers and their recent demands for fairer treatment.

Commenting on the Next Round of Education Cuts in Dundee

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000Z

The announcement on Thursday 12 January of the Council's planned cuts of £0.7 million in Education in 2012/13 is to be regretted. This needs to be seen against the backdrop of 99 fewer teachers in our schools as a result of the £4.7 million cut to the budget in the 2011/12 financial year. To add to the woes of our schools, most of next year's cuts will also fall directly on our schools.

The removal of visiting Music and PE teachers from our primary schools will effectively narrow the curriculum for many children. Expecting every primary class teacher to take their own class for PE is a backward step. At a time when we are conscious of trying to encourage all young people to adopt a more physically active lifestyle, I have serious doubts as to whether our primary schools will be able to fulfil the government's standard of two hours of quality PE for each child each week.

The reduction in the number if visiting instrumental teachers will further cheese pare at our once outstanding schools' music service in our city. Starting music tuition a year later is a backward step because music makers need to start young. Reducing the instrumental tuition by a year risks lowering the number of our young people who may engage in the Dundee Schools' orchestras and bands and reduce those that might enter for SQA examinations in music.

At the Policy and Resources Committee on Monday 9 January, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ken Guild, informed us that he had written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney MSP, to let his know that he had accepted the financial deal on offer from the government. Part of that deal includes a commitment by the Council to maintain teacher number in Dundee. When our SNP led Council cuts Music and PE teachers, there is a risk that the council will incur a financial penalty which will lead to even more cuts in our schools

On top of these additional cuts, the effect of reducing the pay of short term supply teachers is making it difficult to recruit them. Between August 2011 and January 2012 nearly a quarter of the requests for supply cover from our Secondary Schools were unable to be met. This represents another stealth cut that will affect the quality of teaching and learning in our schools.

Dundee children and young people deserve better!

Improvements to the Pedestrian Underpass at the Gray Street Level Crossing

2012-01-12T18:33:00.000Z

The temporary closure of the pedestrian underpass at the Gray Street railway crossing in Broughty Ferry began on Monday 9 Jan 2012.

While this three week closure has been arranged to allow Network Rail to build a new entry point to the down platform for trains towards Dundee, there will also be a bonus for users of the underpass.

The City Engineer has confirmed that he has arranged what will amount to more than a superficial makeover of the underpass while it is closed.

Following complaints by the Community Council and elected members like me, the City Engineer has confirmed on Saturday that after the building works by Network Rail, he has arranged for a deep clean of all surfaces in the underpass. New roof lighting will also be installed throughout the tunnel. Across the bottom of the tunnel there will be a new full width steel plate walkway. The existing handrails will also be painted. Thereafter it is hoped that a regular clean up of the surfaces in the underpass will undertaken by offenders through the Community Payback scheme.

I think these are all worthwhile improvements, which residents and visitors will appreciate. I hope this will increase public safety at the level crossing by making the pedestrian underpass more user friendly. Hopefully these improvements will put an end to the underpass as a smelly, ill light and grubby place to be avoided.

2012 International Year of Cooperatives

2012-01-10T06:30:00.000Z

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.

Here is Dundee I hope this means that that there might be official encouragement for a revival of interest in developing cooperatives as an alternative and additional means of developing new enterprises. It would be good if the dynamism of cooperatives such as the Edinburgh Bike Cooperative, which recently announced ambitious expansion plans, could take root in our city.

Temporary Closure of Gray Street Pedestrian Underpass Starting Monday 5 December

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000Z

The City Council have announced that there will be a temporary closure of the Gray Street pedestrian underpass for eighteen days beginning on Monday 9 January 2012. This is to facilitate improvement work to the station platforms, including creating a new access to the down platform (for trains towards Dundee).

I trust this temporary closure will not tempt any pedestrians, especially children and young people at our local schools to try to cross the level crossing at the last minute as the safety barriers are coming down.

I have written to the Head Teachers at Eastern Primary School and Grove Academy to draw attention to this temporary closure and the potential hazard this might pose for their pupils walking to and from school. They have readily agreed to draw this to the attention of their pupils.

Protecting the Seawall - Rapid Council Response

2012-01-08T17:45:00.000Z

Coned off section of Fisher Street
above breach in the sea wall

On Thursday, I wrote to the City Engineer about a breach in the sea wall in Broughty Ferry, which I had identified after the recent storm force weather. On Saturday, I received thanks for bringing this to the the Council's attention.

I was also relieved to be told that the sea wall from Grassy Beach to Beach Crescent had been inspected on Friday and the immediately affected area had been coned off as a precautionary measure. I have also been informed that permanent repairs are to be carried out commencing on Monday 9 January 2012. Other areas of lesser remedial works to the sea wall will apparently be carried out at the same time.

In relation to the engineering report I had requested, it was reassuring for residents to know that the City Engineer had already instructed an inspection of the full Dundee coastline after the recent storms. Additionally he confirmed that consultants had already been appointed to carry out a study of the Dundee coastline and that the outcome of that study will be reported to a Council Committee.

Well done to the Council for responding promptly and comprehensively.

Call for Repairs to the Sea Wall in Broughty Ferry and an Engineer's Report

2012-01-07T13:00:00.000Z

On Thursday afternoon, I had a look at the stretch of the sea wall that runs alongside Douglas Terrace to the Broughty Ferry Lifeboat station. I was concerned about what I was able to observe. After the recent spate of gale force winds, there is evidence of damage to the sea wall with sections of dislodged stonework. In some places it is also clear that storm force waves have got behind some sections of the wall potentially undermining it.

I have written to the City Engineer to request an immediate inspection of the entire length of the wall from Grassy Beach (underneath the walkway) to the Harbour with immediate repairs instructed where the wall has been undermined. I have also requested a report to go to a future meeting of the City Development Committee assessing the adequacy of the sea wall bearing in mind the recent weather patterns and the potential threat to the footways and roads that runs alongside the wall.

The photograph I took on the beach shows an obvious breach in the sea wall beside Fisher Street in Broughty Ferry. The hole in the sea wall extends back underneath some distance. I think the full extent of this undermining and further erosion of the stonework along the wall needs to be examined as a matter of urgency.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mike Russell, was Allegedly Embroiled in the Abertay and Dundee University Merger Fiasco

2012-01-06T00:40:00.002Z

The article below appeared in the Scotsman on Thursday 5 January 2012.

Based on papers reportedly released under Freedom of Information laws, it alleges that Cabinet secretary Mike Russell in the SNP Government at Holyrood was 'meddling' in the possible forced merger of Abertay and Dundee Universities. This appears to be different from claims that the ill advised proposed merger between the two Universities in Dundee was the responsibility of the Scottish Funding Council - the Quango who fund Universities and Further Education Colleges in Scotland - and not SNP government ministers.

"EDUCATIONsecretary Mike Russell has been accused of an “unhealthy” level of “meddling”in the affairs of Scotland’s higher education sector after it was claimed hewas central to talks over a possible merger of two universities.
Details released under Freedom of Information lawsreportedly show Mr Russell was briefed on the possible merger of Dundee andAbertay universities by the Scottish Funding Council.
Documents show the SFC prepared a seven-pagebriefing note for the government before it asked the universities to consider amerger.
The paper was sent to Mr Russell’s department on 24August, three weeks before the proposal was first made public.
In the note, the SFC recommended a merger, withAbertay being absorbed into the bigger University of Dundee.
Jenny Marra, Labour MSP for North-East Scotland,said the document showed there had been a “Machiavellian plot” by the SNP tomerge the universities.
Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith MSP there hadbeen an “unhealthy” amount of “meddling” in the merger talks, whichsubsequently failed, allowing the two institutions to remain independent.
She said: “The ongoing revelations about thebotched Abertay/Dundee merger are symptomatic of a Scottish Government whichincreasingly thinks it knows best.”
However, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said:“There is no proposal to close any university or college by this government –and never will be."]
“Ministers have been clear throughout that thepotential merger of Abertay and Dundee universities was a matter for theuniversities and the funding council – not ministers.”
The Scottish Government has said colleges anduniversities should explore collaboration and possible merger as a way ofsaving money."

Ferry Google Map Difficulty Should be a Laughing Matter no More

2011-12-31T23:46:00.000Z

In Autumn 2009 I received some complaints about inaccuracies in Google online maps of Dundee Road in Broughty Ferry. When residents like me checked our addresses on Google Maps, up came a map with Brook Street apparently extending past our front doors. No wonder drivers seeking directions on their sat navs or making deliveries were confused.

In October 2009, I contacted Tele Atlas who produce maps for Google Maps and many Sat Nav sytems to let them know that there was this error on their mapping in central Broughty Ferry.

When word about this appeared in the local press, some Councillors joked about whether I could find my way home after Council meetings without my sat nav. One Broughty Councillor even invited me to drive behind his car so he might guide me back to Broughty Ferry.

Behind the jokes however there is a serious issue. So many of us rely on satellite navigation and online maps that when they contain inaccuracies this can have significant consequences such as getting lost or deliveries going astray.

So I was very pleased in May this year when I received news from Tele Atlas confirming that:

'Based on a review of your report, we can now confirm that the change you suggested has been made. It will go out in the next release of our map database. .... Thanks again for your willingness to help keep Tele Atlas maps up-to-date and accurate!'

They did however explain that:
'Tele Atlas supplies maps to the companies that make devices or applications, not directly to the people who use them. We update the map we supply, so these companies can incorporate the map update in their own systems. When this process is complete, your change will be made available to you.'

After checking from time to time to see if the change had appeared online, I was delighted just before Christmas when I found that Google Maps had at last been updated.

If any other residents in The Ferry are experiencing difficulties with errors in online mapping in their area, they can contact me and I should be happy to take this up for them and I guarantee I won't treat it as a joke.

Unexplained Absences in our Schools Need Explanation and Action

2011-12-29T16:00:00.000Z

The publication of statistics about 'unexplained absences' of pupils in Dundee schools reveals a very varied picture.

While the total number of these absences across the city has apparently reduced from previous years there are still huge differences between schools. But the total number of unexplained absences in our schools remains unacceptable.

I notice that Barnhill Primary School in The Ferry, has the lowest rate of unexplained absences. With 415 pupils it had 126 in the year. This works out on average at much less than one unexplained absence per pupil per year.

On the other hand, I notice that Rowantree Primary School, with 258 pupils and 4920 unexplained absences would appear to have the highest rate in the city. That works out on average at 19 unexplained absences per pupil per year - nearly two weeks schooling a year.

Rowantree Primary School's rate of unexplained absences is 63 times the rate at Barnhill Primary School. Now how can differences like this be explained or tolerated?

It would be too easy to jump to the conclusion that this is all down to parents and carers and their attentiveness to notifying their child's primary school for their reason for an absence. Perhaps there are more reasons for such wide differences which I think merit some thorough investigation.

Since unexplained absences involve both teachers and administrative staff using a computer programme to record information about attendance, perhaps there are differences in how this is undertaken between staff and between schools? Have some of our schools had significant absences in their administrative staff that has affected their ability to accurately record what is going on?

Whatever the explanation, every day of unexplained absence is a day of learning at school which is lost. When children return to school after an absence, their return may often mean that their teacher's time is diverted from the rest of the class so that they can bring the returning pupil up to speed. Of course no one minds if this absence is for a reason that is essential or could not be prevented. In the case of unexplained absences there is a suspicion that many of these may be unnecessary.

I hope these statistics will be raised with Head Teachers and also with Parent Councils to see how they think we can reduce the number of unexplained absences in all our schools to a more acceptable level.

Christmas Card

2011-12-25T00:30:00.000Z

Santa Can Find Full Length of Dundee Road on Google Maps!

2011-12-24T08:42:00.000Z

It is rumoured that Santa may be modernising his operation. If he is using Sat Nav to help guide his sleigh tonight, an update to online maps has come just in time time for a section of Dundee Road.

In October 2009, I contacted Tele Atlas who produce maps for Google Maps and many Sat Nav sytems to let them know that there was an error on their mapping in central Broughty Ferry.

As a resident of Dundee Road, I had received residents' complaints about this issue. When I checked our shared postcode on Google Maps, up came a map with Brook Street apparently extending past our front doors. No wonder drivers seeking directions on their sat navs or making deliveries were confused.

In May this year there was promising news from Tele Atlas confirming that

"Based on a review of your report, we can now confirm that the change you suggested has been made. It will go out in the next release of our map database. .... Thanks again for your willingness to help keep Tele Atlas maps up-to-date and accurate!"

They did however explain that:
"Tele Atlas supplies maps to the companies that make devices or applications, not directly to the people who use them. We update the map we supply, so these companies can incorporate the map update in their own systems. When this process is complete, your change will be made available to you."

After checking from time to time to see if the change had appeared online, I was delighted this week to find that Google Maps had at last been updated.

Those Councillors who jokingly wondered whether I could find my way home after Council meetings without my sat nav will be relieved to know that I won't need any more of their directions.

If any other residents in The Ferry are experiencing difficulties with errors in online mapping in their area, they can contact me and I should be happy to take this up for them.

Let's get all of Broughty Ferry properly mapped online; we can't have Santa delayed by dodgy mapping.

Quick Fix to Broken Panels on Fort Street Bridge

2011-12-23T14:30:00.000Z

On Tuesday I noticed that there was a missing and a broken protective panel on the Fort Street bridge. It looked as though the broken panel had been kicked in.

I was worried that the absence of these panels might make it possible for someone to climb up the parapet of the bridge. The gaps were also unsightly.

I am relieved to be notified on Thursday that an Engineer had inspected the bridge on Wednesday and has instructed Dundee Contract Services to temporarily board up the damage to the parapet. They will then do a permanent repair and paint the parapet early next year.

A job promptly well done despite the staff of the same department being busy organising winter maintenance on our roads.

Commenting on the Announcement that the Council is Seeking to Build Extra Classrooms at Kingspark School

2011-12-22T11:41:00.000Z

I was utterly amazed to be notified on Tuesday that the Council has put in for planning permission for extra classrooms to be built as an extension to Kingspark School. My surprise is that there was no mention of this in the report on the School Estate (buildings and facilities) to the Education Committee only ten days previously on Monday 12 December.

More significantly, when that report was considered by the Education Committee, questions from opposition Councillors like me focused on the insufficiency of classroom accommodation in schools such as Craigowl and Barnhill Primary Schools and Morgan Academy. This was on the basis of the figures in the report. There are no such statistics about overcrowded or insufficient accommodation at Kingspark School in that report.

I want to make it clear that I shall be supporting this proposed spend at Kingspark School. If we need more classroom accommodation in the city for children with learning difficulties and many of those with additional physical disabilities, the Council should respond positively. But I think it is wrong that there is no previous reference at any Council Committee about what must amount to a spend of £1 million.

Doubts were raised at the Education Committee on 12 December about the competence of the report about the School Estate (buildings and facilities). This announcement about Kingspark School, does not give me confidence the Estate Review would be a sound basis to guide the future direction of investment in school buildings in Dundee.

In addition, I think senior Council staff and the Education Convener have answers to provide about why they have have not brought this to the attention of the Education Committee before seeking planning consent.

I have asked the Director of Legal Services to investigate my concerns about whether this is an acceptable way for the Council to proceed.

Popular Head Teacher at Eastern Primary School, Katherine Barclay, Retires Today

2011-12-21T17:00:00.000Z

A teaching career of thirty five years, with the last twenty years at Eastern Primary School, will come to a close today when Head Teacher Katherine Barclay retires. Katherine will be remembered as an able and popular Head Teacher.

HM Inspectors identified the following key strengths in Eastern PS in their last report on the school:

• Confident, well-behaved pupils.

• Pupils’ achievements in a wide range of activities.

• Inclusion of pupils with additional support needs in the school community.

• The quality of pastoral care.

• Positive relationships among pupils, parents and staff.

I think that sums up her leadership style striving for a happy school that promotes the attainment and achievement of all its pupils.

In August this year, Katherine calmly led the school through the move from Whinny Brae to its new home in the converted 'old Grove Academy' buildings on the south side of Camperdown Street.

First appointed as Assistant Head Teacher at Eastern in 1991, she brought a wealth of experience to her post having previously worked at Mossgiel, Kellyfield and Birkhill Primary Schools in the City. After a spell as Depute, she was appointed Head Teacher at Eastern in 2003.

I am sure I speak for many Eastern parents in The Ferry in thanking her for her leadership of Eastern Primary School and wishing her a long and happy retirement.

Commenting on the Occasion of John Hamilton retiring from his thirty year involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Grove Academy

2011-12-20T15:17:00.000Z

This week John Hamilton will be standing down after thirty years promoting and supporting the Duke of Edinburgh award at Grove Academy.

I shouldn't like this occasion to go unrecognised outside the school. This is an extraordinary achievement. John undertook this extra mural work as a teacher at Grove Academy over many years. But he did not give up when he retired as a Teacher more than a few years ago; he continued as a volunteer.

This is not only appreciated by me as a parent of children who undertook the award with him but also now as a Ferry Councillor recognising John's positive impact on many hundreds of young people who attained awards under his guidance and with his support.

It's no secret that John was a stickler for detail. I recall this became crystal clear to me at his detailed briefings about the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions for award participants and their parents and carers.

I think we are indebted to him for instilling in so many young people an awareness of safety on the hills, an appreciation of the outdoors and a healthy sense of adventure.

I know that he is likely to be self effacing when he signs off at Grove Academy before Christmas; but I am publicising these achievements because his dedication deserves to more widely known. I think he should know how grateful we are for his positive contribution to the life of so many pupils at Grove Academy by promoting these worthwhile awards over thirty years.

Thank you John.

Laurie Bidwell

Parent of Grove FPs and Ferry Councillor

Call to Put Dundee First at the Policy & Resources Committee Tonight

2011-12-19T21:00:00.001Z

I am pleased that after my prompting last week, our Council will now be responding to the two consultations on the future of post 16 Education in Scotland.

I notice that the draft response from our Education Director for consideration tonight refers to the many organisations that potentially contribute to developing and delivering vital educational opportunities in our city. These are vital for the potential students and vital for supporting the economic recovery of Dundee.

I do however think that our Council's response should have a preface note about the disastrous consequences stemming from the huge reductions in the budget of our Further Education College in Dundee.

Dundee College is the ninth largest employer in the city. If this were a private sector organisation of this scale anticipating shedding staff and reducing services in our City, I think our SNP Council would have been jumping up and down expressing their disappointment and calling for government action from Holyrood and Westminster. In this instance the axe is being swung by the SNP government in Edinburgh which has turned our SNP led Council into silent witnesses.

Make no mistake, the scale of cuts announced will hold back the economic recovery in Dundee by reducing the capacity of one of the key organisations which can make a real difference to employers and learners. So tonight, let's hope all our Councillors stand up for Dundee first and foremost.

Carol Singing Sunday

2011-12-18T23:50:00.000Z

Today I have enjoyed singing familiar Christmas Carols in two contrasting venues.

At 3pm I attended the service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Mary's Episcopal Church in Brought Ferry. It was good to have some choristers to lead the singing and embroider the melody with a descant or two.

At 6pm I joined staff and pupils from Baldragon Academy who were singing carols unaccompanied in the entrance hall of Mecca Bingo at Douglasfield. Under the leadership of Alice Rhynd, Principal Teacher of Modern Languages, we were carolling the Bingo players as they arrived hoping to attract donations in support of the Brown Street Kennels. The patrons were very generous and appreciative of our efforts.

Commenting on Grove Academy's Top 20 Finish

2011-12-17T14:48:00.000Z

I congratulate staff and pupils of Grove Academy for once again achieving a top twenty place from more than 300 State Secondary Schools in Scotland.

The recent publication by the government of the league tables for schools in Scotland shows that Grove is not only the top performing school in Dundee but also within Tayside.

Without taking away from Grove's success, I do think that we should also be looking at the added value which can be attributed to the efforts of schools rather than just comparing their end of school exam results.

Ferry Automated Public Convenience is Finally Open - But Who Pays for the Delays?

2011-12-16T17:30:00.000Z

After a series of disappointing delays, the Automated Public Convenience in Queen Street Car Park in Broughty Ferry was finally open for 'spending a penny' on Tuesday 13 December.

This leased public toilet was a 'replacement' for the award winning Queen Street staffed toilets which were closed as part of the budget savings for this financial year. Ken Guild also a Ferry Councillor and Leader of the Council, promised that when our award winning staffed toilets closed at the end of March, the replacement would be installed and operational before the summer holidays. Well the Automated Public Convenience has been standing in the car park for months but with no connection to water and sewerage.

As well as the public inconvenience from this eight month gap in provision, there is disappointment about Ferry Council Tax being wasted on charges for a leased public convenience that has not been operational for three months.

Let's hope that this disappointing start can be put behind us and visitors and residents alike find the 24 hour access to an Automated Public Convenience a satisfactory alternative to the former staffed toilets.

Commenting on the Online Availability of the 2011 SQA Examination Results

2011-12-15T15:49:00.000Z

The availability of the summer 2011 Examination results online earlier today provides an important snapshot of the performance of young people at the end of their school days in each of our nine secondary schools in Dundee.

While it is interesting to note which schools had the highest number of passes, these figures are on there own deceptive. They do not measure 'added value' or 'distance travelled'; that is the progress made by each pupil between their test scores awarded on entering their secondary school and their SQA examinations results 4-6 years later. Calculations like that would tell a different story.

Overall the figures published indicate to me that there is still an important job to be done in improving the overall performance of all our pupils in our schools so that each one achieves her or his potential. I know that is what are teachers are striving for.

We can't however be content with any results that put the city overall below the national average. I refuse to believe or accept that young people in our city are less talented than young people elsewhere in Scotland.

Find about more about the performance of your local Primary and Secondary school at Scottish Schools Online.

Cuts in Dundee College and Concerns for the Effects on Opportunities for Young People Leaving School

2011-12-14T15:42:00.000Z

At the Policy and Resources Committee on Monday evening I spoke to an item that had been placed on the Agenda at my request:

Item 12 Budgetary Cuts in Further Education at Dundee College

This is what I said to the members of the Policy and Resources Committee:

"I have placed this item on the agenda because I am very concerned about the effects of current and future cuts in the budget of our further education college - Dundee College. I think the current year cuts of £4 million and projected reductions over the next three years will amount to a reduction approaching 30% of their budget. Cuts of that magnitude in an organisation that spends most of its cash on teaching staff can only lead to a reduction in the range of courses and programmes on offer and a reduction in the number of places available.

Dundee College is the destination of choice of many of our school leavers. In fact progression rates of pupils moving into further education from our nine secondary schools is amongst the highest in Scotland and is to be commended.

Dundee College also provides vocational courses for some of our existing secondary school pupils alongside their school based subject choices.

Additionally, Dundee College also provides the rehearsal space for Dundee Schools' Music Theatre which has widespread community and political support.

Dundee College's valued collaboration and partnership with the Education Department is featured in the College's current Strategic Plan where they list as a significant achievement:

'Partnership with DCC Education Department at both strategic and operational levels is very well developed. Joint activity includes data sharing in order to better support transition from school to college ....'

Dundee College is also an important place to return to study or undertake an access course prior to going to University or taking an advanced course at the College.

Furthermore, Dundee College is crucial to city employers and potential new employers.

Crucially Dundee College it is also itself an important employer; in fact the 9th largest employer in the city.

Given rising levels of unemployment in our City and an expectation that too many of our young people will not be leaving school to move to a positive destination such as paid employment or a place at further education college or at University, we need Dundee College and the range and depth of what it does now. Conversely we don't need the College distracted from its mission by a costly and lengthy merger negotiations with Angus College. We also don't want Dundee College's vital training and educational work undermined or curtailed by swingeing cuts from the Scottish Government.

Now there is a constructive way to defend Dundee College and what it does by responding to the Scottish Government's consultation,

'Putting Learners at the Centre: Delivering our Ambitions for Post 16 Education'

which has a deadline for submissions on Friday 23rd December. Now Convener if you tell me that there is not staff time to respond to my suggestion in such a short timescale, then I offer myself to provide a first draft for the Council's consideration."

I am pleased that the members of the Policy & Resources Committee agreed to ask the Director of Education to prepare a response and bring this to the already scheduled additional meeting of the Committee on Monday 19 December.

Disappointing Review of School Estate in Dundee Leaves Many Questions

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000Z

At Monday's Education Committee meeting, the committee were asked to consider the Review of the School Estate in Dundee.

In comments and questions last night I and my Labour Colleagues raised the following issues:

"The important achievements in this report are as a direct result of the ambitious capital school building and school refurbishment programmes that Labour led councils between 2003 - 2009 brought forward. Unfortunately the new SNP administration have dawdled since they took over leading the council in April 2009 and this shows up in this report.

Looking forward this report makes for disappointing reading. It also is raises a number of questions and issues that I will be pursuing before and at the Education Committee on Monday.

This review is disappointing because its ambitions are so limited.

A vision of new or refurbished schools fit for the 21st century has been a mantra repeated by the former Director of Education and the Education Convener at every opening of a new school in the city since 2007. Disappointingly, no priorities for new or refurbished schools are identified in this review. That is put off for another year. This review focuses on cyclical maintenance such as heating system replacement and auditing schools rolls where schools are running well under capacity. With no immediate extension of the capital building programme, that I brought forward when I was Education Convener, we will soon find the Council's school building programme slowing down which will take years to crank up again.

It's disappointing therefore if you are a pupil or a teacher in a school which is waiting for a major refurbishment or replacement, apart from Harris Academy, because future plans are on hold.

It's disappointing news for parents and carers with children at the stand alone nursery schools because clearly the Council plans to downgrade them to nursery classes and move them into existing schools with space available.

It will be disappointing if you work in the building industry because as it stands this review won't sustain nearly as many construction jobs in the city as has been the case as the Labour commissioned schools have been built.

As to questions, here are my major ones:

While parent and carers would of course expect that a school would be be in a reasonable physical condition and it would not be overcrowded, are square metres and school condition the only factors the Council should take into account? For example, what about facilities such as access to a games hall?

While the report addresses under occupancy of school buildings, it does not identify over occupancy as an issue in the City. Yet, Craigowl Primary School at 106.9% and Morgan Academy at 103.9% stand out. Is this acceptable? How will this be managed?

Barnhill Primary School in my ward is at 95.6% which is also busting at the seams. Schools are not like hotels because a rising number of school age children in an area will take time to work their way up through a school. More children wanting to enter at P1 can't be shoe horned into spare places in P7. We need more information about the P1 entry figures over a period than this report provides. The only answer provided in this report is to redraw catchment areas. In March this year, I submitted a motion to ask that the £5 million pounds in the capital programme earmarked for the extension and refurbishment of Barnhill Primary School was brought forward and a feasibility study prepared. That seems to have been forgotten and no figures are produced in relation to development pressures in the North East in Barnhill Primary School's catchment area where new housing developments are underway or have been planned.

So for marks out of 10, I would give this report five and a summary comment, 'Incomplete work, you should try harder to respond to all the questions. You also need a positive conclusion to your report'."

Beginning Today Timetable of Additional Trains Running to and from Broughty Ferry - Monday 12 December 2011

2011-12-12T01:42:00.000Z

Broughty Ferry Station

New Timetable

Beginning
Monday 12 December 2011

(Monday to Saturday unless otherwise specified)

Northbound Trains

06:31 to Inverurie

09:45 to Inverurie

11:07 to Aberdeen

15:09 to Aberdeen

17:47 to Inverurie

19:00 to Carnoustie

23:10 to Aberdeen

Southbound Trains

06:29 to Dundee

07:41 to Glasgow

10:43 to Glasgow

15:09 to Edinburgh

17:11 to Edinburgh

23:38 to Perth (Monday to Thursday)

00:33 to Perth (Friday Only)
Read or Download Special Timetable of Broughty Ferry Trains

Parlour Cafe Cookbook Booksigning at Broughty Ferry’s greengrocer, Clementine Saturday 17 December 2011 2:30pm

2011-12-11T06:00:00.000Z

On Saturday 17 December at 2.30pm, for just half an hour, Gillian Veal is making a guest appearance at Broughty Ferry’s greengrocer, Clementine, to sign copies of her incredibly popular Parlour Cafe Cookbook.
With mulled wine supplied by Clementine’s neighbour and local wine merchant, Aitkens Wines, this event will make Christmas food and gift shopping a positively pleasant experience.
Clementine has already sold dozens of copies of the book which encourages people to create tasty dishes using many of the ingredients available in the shop. Since the book first came out at the end of October, the first print run has sold out and the second run is in the shops now.

Clementine owners Jan McTaggart and Carole Sommerville have enjoyed talking to customers about the book. Carole Sommerville said:
‘We both love eating at the Parlour Cafe and I’ve cooked several of the dishes from the book. The recipes are easy to follow and I’ve been treating family and friends to some delicious meals.’
This event is a celebration of all things local to Dundee. The book is published by new Dundee publishing house, Kitchen Press, illustrated by local artist Jen Collins and Gillian herself is from Dundee.
Clementine of Broughty Ferry, 103 Gray St, DD5 2DN
Open Mon – Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm

Dundee Choral Union Christmas Concert 11 December 2011 Caird Hall City Square Dundee

2011-12-10T16:41:00.001Z

Dundee Choral Union Christmas Concert
Caird Hall, City Square, Dundee
7pm Sunday 11 December 2011

Tickets will be available from the City Square Box Office or at the door on Sunday evening.

Programme

Poulenc - Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noel Faure - Requiem
Finzi - In Terra Pax
Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Christmas Carols from 100 Carols for Choirs

Performers

Libby Crabtree, Soprano
Stewart Kempster, Baritone
Morley Whitehead, Organist
Derek Clark, Conductor

Declining Teacher Numbers and Increasing Pupil - Teacher Ratios in Dundee

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

On Tuesday 7 December, the Scottish Government published their Statistical Bulletin:

Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland, No 2 2011 Edition 7 December 2011

The Bulletin shows the number of primary school teachers in Dundee is now at its lowest level since 2005. The numbers fell again in the last year to 639 at the census point.

In secondary schools, the number of teachers in Dundee is also at its lowest level since 2005. The numbers decreased over the last year to 716 at the census point.

The tables showing Pupil/Teacher ratios also show a noticeable adverse increase from 11.7 pupils to 1 teacher in 2009 to 12.1 pupils to 1 teacher in 2011.

Having promised the earth four and a half years ago, the SNP Government in Holyrood still refuses to face up to the truth that they have not reduced average class sizes.

They, and their SNP controlled Council in Dundee, are responsible for the decline in teacher numbers and an adverse rise in the pupil/teacher ratios in our City.

The SNP made unprecedented promises about improvements in education, none of which have ever been properly or fully funded.

In Dundee the Education Convener, Councillor Liz Fordyce, claims her cuts haven't removed teachers from the classroom but the growth in the number of pupils to each teacher (the Pupil / Teacher ratio) paints a different picture.

We can't go on reducing the number of teachers in our schools in Dundee without having a negative effect on the attainment and achievement of our pupils. Dundee deserves better.

The Pupil - Teacher ratios have been extracted from from Table 2.2 on page 9 of the Statistical Bulletin

The comparative information on teacher numbers is taken from tables in the supplementary datasets which were also released on Wednesday 7 December 2011 by the Scottish Government.

No Extra New Schools for Dundee in SNP Investment Plan

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000Z

The SNP Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011 was published on Tuesday. The section that deals with school buildings is entitled Scotland’s Schools for the Future.

"The £1.25 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future (SSF) school building programme was announced in June 2009. The Government will provide £800 million funding support, from 2010-11 to 2017-18, with the balance coming from local authorities. The programme is being co-ordinated, managed and facilitated by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT)."

(Infrastructure Investment Plans 2011 December 2011 page 77)

Disappointingly, no additional school building programme has been announced for Dundee in this plan. The plan merely re-announces the rather modest sized national school building programme that was first launched in June 1999. In September 1999 when the government announced some of the specifics, it promised two thirds of the funding for a replacement school for Harris Academy in Dundee. Dundee West MSP, Joe Fitzpatrick, went on Newsnight Scotland to defend his government's record and claimed that work on these new schools would start on site before the next election which was in May 2011. The last report to the City Council on the progress of Harris Academy predicts no start on site before 2013.

Based on their over four and half years in government, the SNP have been strong on bluster about their school building programme and announcing and re-announcing it but weak on action. Unfortunately, this plan comes with the same health warning in relation to the prospects for actual new school building funded by the Scottish Government.

Ferry Juvenile Crime Wave Summit on Wednesday 7 December

2011-12-07T01:00:00.000Z

Tag on a BT Box in Strathmore Avenue

Tayside Police, Tayside Fire and Rescue, Dundee Community Wardens as well as Ferry Councillors, have all recently received numerous complaints from members of the public about graffiti, vandalism, fire setting and littering by young people in the Ferry. The unusual intensity of these incidents has led to the Team Leader of the Community Safety Wardens to convene an inter-agency "Summit" on Wednesday 7 December at Blackness Fire Station.

There seem to be a gang of young people who are regularly out on our streets defacing public and private property with spray paint. The repetitive appearance of their 'signature' painted tags suggest that many of the acts of vandalism have been perpetrated by a small number of young people. There has also been a number of deliberately started fires and many examples of inconsiderate behaviours such as deliberately littering the streets and damaging public property such as street signs.

For the folk on the receiving end of this juvenile delinquency, this has been a very tiresome time. For Council clean up squads, it is also a discouraging picture because as fast as they remove or paint over graffiti, the tags appear again like a virus. There are clearly questions about a lack of parental supervision when it is alleged that some of the vandals are surprisingly young.

I hope the agencies at the meeting on Wednesday afternoon are able to plan and then coordinate effective and lasting responses against the perpetrators.

Broughty Ferry Train Timetable from 12 December 2011 - 8 December 2012

2011-12-06T10:00:00.001Z

Click on this image to read or download
Broughty train times.

The new timetable for the improved train services from Broughty Ferry begins on Monday 12 December 2011.

A handy separate leaflet for services to and from Broughty Ferry has been helpfully produced by TACTRAN and SCOTRAIL.

This is an improved set of services that provide more through and connecting trains between Broughty Ferry and Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth.

Click on this link to read or download the new separate timetable for trains to and from Broughty Ferry: 12 December 2011 - 8 December 2012.

Broughty Lifeboat Carol Concert St James Parish Church Fort Street Monday 19 December at 7:30pm

2011-12-05T00:25:00.000Z

The annual Lifeboat Carol Concert will be held in St James Parish Church (the Lifeboat Church) on Monday 19 December beginning at 7:30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to join in carol singing, remember the work of our brave and dedicated volunteer lifeboat crews and donate to the Lifeboat via the offertory.

World AIDS Day 1 December 2011

2011-12-01T12:00:00.000Z

Today is World AIDS Day.

This year the focus of World AIDS Day is about “Getting to Zero.”

Zero New HIV Infections.
Zero Discrimination and
Zero AIDS Related Deaths.

Backed by the United Nations the “Getting to Zero” campaign runs until 2015.

Test your knowledge and take a quiz

Only 24% of young people have adequate knowledge about HIV.

Do you?

Take the UNAIDS test of your knowledge at
http://www.crowdoutaids.org/hivknowledge/

Welcome Delay to Temporary Closure of Pedestrian Underpass on Gray Street

2011-11-30T19:19:00.000Z

Pedestrian Underpass Temporary Closure Delayed

Late this afternoon, I was informed that Network Rail have agreed to delay the building works that require the pedestrian underpass on Gray Street to be closed for eighteen days from Monday 6 December.

I welcome the postponement of this work until 9 January 2012. In the meantime Network Rail will carry out building works within the station buildings.

Broughty Traders will I think be relieved that the temporary closure of the underpass has been postponed until after Christmas and New Year trading.

Network Rail are to be congratulated in responding positively to representations about this issue.

Harris Academy - Education Committee Monday 28 November 2011

2011-11-29T16:02:00.001Z

At the Education Committee last night Harris Academy was indirectly on the agenda.

The first item, The East Central Territory Hub, was about the arrangements for the continuing work to establish this organisation to procure capital projects such as new schools. Our immediate interest at the Education Committee in Dundee is the comprehensive refurbishment or replacement of Harris Academy.

The East Central Territory Hub covers the huge area bounded by the former Tayside and Central regional areas and within that territory it will procure all major building projects for the 6 local councils, Police, Fire and NHS. This new set up is the Scottish Government's imposed way of purchasing capital projects like new buildings.

I hope something positive can come out of The East Central Territory Hub but I fear its been a giant smoke screen to disguise a lack of building projects from the SNP led government in Edinburgh. I am also concerned that it will lead to larger scale building contracts that will tend to exclude smaller local sub contractors based in the city.

Now a preferred Private sector Development Partner has been appointed, I had hoped that the rebuild of Harris Academy would be picking up from a snail's pace.

The work on Harris Academy was begun by a feasibility study instructed in the time I was Education Convener May 2007 - March 2009. The SNP led Scottish Government announced their first tranche of school building in late September 2009 over two years after coming into office and Harris Academy was our one and only city school on their list. Two years later, and a start on site before 2013 seems unlikely.

This is of course means that the SNP is millions of bricks short of meeting their manifesto pledge in the May 2007 Holyrood elections to match Labour's PPP school building 'brick for brick'. In Dundee, Labour's PPP programme built two new secondary schools and six new primary schools. In four years at Holyrood the SNP Government 2007/11 did not directly fund any new school building in Dundee.

Dundee Local Development Plan - Last Week to Have Your Say

2011-11-28T09:23:00.001Z

In October the City Council issued their Dundee Local Development Plan: Main Issues Report and Environmental Report for a period of six weeks consultation.

The new local Development Plan for Dundee will set out a strategy for development in the City for a period of five years and provide broad indications of growth for up to 10 years in the future.

If you want to have your say, the Consultation period ends at 12:00 noon on Friday 2nd December 2011.

The Main Issues Report

This report identifies the Main Issues which are to b.e considered during the production of a Proposed Local Development Plan and sets out Dundee City Council's currently preferred option. It is vital that communities and individuals make their views known at this stage of the process.

The Consultation for the Main Issues Report is being undertaken and representations are sought via an online questionnaire.

Environmental Report

The Environmental report has identified, described and evaluated the likely significant effect on the environment of implementing the Dundee Local Development Plan Main Issues report and its reasonable alternatives.

The Consultation for the Environmental Report is being undertaken and representations are sought via an online questionnaire on the Council's website.

Copies of the Main Issues Report and Environmental Report, together with supporting documents can be accessed at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/localdevplan or via all local libraries throughout Dundee and during office hours at Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1EQ.

Broughty's Big Pre-Christmas Party

2011-11-27T09:00:00.000Z

On Thursday night about 3000 Ferry folk took the streets in central Broughty Ferry. They were there to celebrate the start of the long build up to Christmas which begins with the ceremony of switching on the Christmas Lights.

Despite the cold wind, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy the street party atmosphere; especially the fairground rides and the performers who appeared on the Radio Tay stage.

At the appointed hour, the Lord Provost, John Letford threw the switch to activate the illuminations.

Thanks are due to Broughty Ferry Traders Association for organising another very successful night.

Online Map of Road Casualties in Broughty Ferry 2000-2010

2011-11-26T17:31:00.001Z

Click on the map to see a larger version

Earlier this week, public access to an online map of road casualties for 2000-2010 was published on a website. The map displayed here focuses on Broughty Ferry.

From my reading, the map indicates that over a ten year period there have been four people killed on our roads in the Ferry area. Two of these were pedestrians, both older people, and two were occupants in vehicles (drivers and passengers are not distinguished). The map also indicates a much larger number of serious and slight injuries sustained by pedestrians, cyclists and occupants in vehicles.

It all points to the need to be more road safety conscious as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or car drivers and passengers.

The map was released by the charity RoadPeace. The casualty data is based on Stats19 data collected by the police and made available through the Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS) and the UK Data Archive.

The map is available online at http://map.itoworld.com/road-casualties-uk

Dundee Christmas Light Night Tonight From 6pm City Centre Friday 25 November 2011

2011-11-25T00:30:00.000Z

Tonight it's Christmas Light Night in Dundee with a wide variety of free events at numerous locations throughout the City Centre.

It will all kicks off at 6pm.

Fun for all the family. Enjoy!

The programme (free to download and printout) contains details of all the events throughout the evening. It also includes maps to help you find the venues and car parks.

Developments at Broughty Ferry Station

2011-11-24T13:33:00.000Z

I am pleased to see that work has started at our station in Broughty Ferry to convert the station house and platform buildings into a restaurant. It's good to see that there is now confidence by Scotrail to go ahead and undertake the conversion work which was granted planning permission some while ago. I hope this will help Scotrail find a restaurateur willing to take on the lease.

From Monday 5 December the pedestrian underpass will be closed until Christmas while work is undertaken near the level crossing to create a new access point to the down platform (trains to Dundee).

This is very poor timing for traders in The Ferry. It's also a pity that while all this improvement work is going on that the smelly and grubby underpass is not being updated. I have written to the Council's Head of Transportation to see whether a deep clean can be done before the underpass is reopened. I would also hope we improve the 'walk the plank' experience along the suspended walkway just above the bottom of the tunnel which is prone to flooding. It's a bit of a Heath Robinson and would hardly pass current standards of health and safety. I think it would be much better if the suspended walkway covered the full width of the tunnel bottom.

While the the pedestrian underpass is closed, I hope pedestrians will be patient while they wait at the level crossing gates and no one ignores the warming lights flashing and the barriers beginning to fall. Most non stopping rains race through the Ferry at 80 mph.

Earlier in the Autumn, I wrote to the Scotrail Managing Director, Scott Montgomery, to request improvements to the information available about trains and the timetable to be on both the platforms. I can report some good and bad news. Firstly, the good news is that he has confirmed that:

"we will arrange for a timetable to be displayed on both platforms at Broughty Ferry (this has been taken up with the local Manager at Dundee)"

At the moment there is no train timetable displayed on the Up platform for trains towards Aberdeen. The bad news is that he also says that:

"regrettably we have no plans at the present to install Customer Information Screens at this station. .... Although it is recognised that the station would benefit from these Screens, funding for station improvements is limited and we have to prioritise the stations."

I have also written to Steve Mongomery to find out where Broughty Ferry is on the Scotrail waiting list and to TACTRAN to urge they support this improvement.

Switching On Broughty Ferry Christmas Lights - Join in the Fun and Celebrations Tonight 24 November 2011 from 6:00 pm

2011-11-24T01:06:00.000Z

Come down tonight into the Ferry to join in the fun and celebrations as the Christmas Lights in Broughty Ferry are switched on.

Assemble at 6pm for live music, carol singing, Radio Tay, street artists and children's entertainment.

Broughty Ferry traders will be supplying mulled wine and mince pies and burghers will also be available from Scott Brothers

The switching on of the lights ceremony will be performed by Lord Provost John Letford at 7pm.

East Coast Train Journey From Dundee - Let's Hang on To What We've Got

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000Z

On Monday I took the 09:06 East Coast London train from Dundee station. On the train, I was delighted to meet my Labour colleague Marlyn Glen, the former MSP for North East Scotland. I was going to Edinburgh but, like many of the folk who got on the train with their cases, Marlyn was travelling down to London.

When I am travelling by rail to a destination beyond Edinburgh, I always look to see whether there is a long distance through train to save me changing trains on the way. I also value the East Coast 125 express services as they usually have shorter journey times to Edinburgh. Additionally, I prefer the layout in their carriages with plenty of tables to sit and read my paper at or to plug in my notebook computer.

These through trains are also a boon to folk struggling with their holiday luggage or parents and carers with children and push chairs.

I am sure many residents in Dundee value East Coast, Cross Country and Caledonian Sleeper long distance train services that run to and from Dundee. If the SNP government's proposal for the future of rail services in Scotland goes ahead, we would be left stranded in Dundee with just slower shuttle train services south and a compulsory change of train at Edinburgh.

If like me you think we should "hang on the what we've got" join the campaign for a rethink on these issues and register your support with the Scottish Labour campaign.

Shocking Overview of Gross Inequality Revealed in High Pay Commission Report

2011-11-22T19:18:00.001Z

Earlier today the High Pay Commission published their report: Cheques With Balances: why tackling high pay is in the national interest.

It confirmed what many of us have suspected, that executive pay has got out of control and we are certainly not 'all in this together'.

Barclays Bank has disgraced themselves by employing the executives with the most stratospheric remuneration increases since 1980. Their top executive's earnings have increased by a mammoth 4899.4% since 1980, whilst wages for the average worker have only seen a three fold increase.

The High Pay Commission’s programme of reforms include:

A radical simplification of executive pay
Putting employee reps on remuneration committees
Publishing the top ten executive pay packages outside the boardroom
Forcing companies to publish a pay ratio between the highest paid executive and the company median
Companies to reveal total pay figure earned by the executive
Establishing a new national body to monitor high pay.

I say aye to tackling excessive pay and perks in the public, not for profit and private sectors.

Temporary Road Closure Central Broughty Ferry for Switching On of Christmas Lights 3-9 pm Thursday 24 November 2011

2011-11-22T00:38:00.000Z

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY beingsatisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of the

BroughtyFerry Christmas Lights switch on event

HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of anyvehicle in:

Brook Street (between Fort Streetand St Vincent Street), Broughty Ferry.
Gray Street (between Brook Streetand King Street), Broughty Ferry

This notice comes into effecton Thursday 24 November 2011 between the hours of 3.00pm and 9.00pm.

Alternative routes forvehicles are available via Fort Street/ Queen Street/St Vincent Street.

Access will be maintainedwhere possible.

For further informationcontact (01382) 433168.

Lunchtime Piano Recital Saturday 26 November 1pm at St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral Dundee

2011-11-20T09:30:00.000Z

Dundee based concert pianist Joseph Fleetwood will be giving the lunchtime concert in St Paul's cathedral on Saturday 26 November beginning at 1pm.

He will be playing:
Mozart's Sonata in A minor
and
Liszt's Sonata in B minor

Criminal Offences in and in the Vicinity of Dundee Schools 2010/11

2011-11-19T14:27:00.000Z

Statistics about criminal offences in, and in the vicinity of, Dundee schools have been published by Tayside Police following a Freedom of Information request.

Tayside Police's crime recording system indicate:

203 offences committed in 2010 and

118 offences during 2011 (up to and including 14 October).

This is an alarming picture.

Any crime committed in or around our our schools is something to be concerned about. And some of the offences committed are indeed very serious and very concerning. These include: fire raising, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of drugs and indecent assault.

Tayside Police warned however that:

'In relation to the above figures, the following factors should be taken into consideration:

Some incidents may well have occurred outwith normal school hours or during weekends or holidays when the premises are empty.
Some incidents may be described and therefore reported as taking place at a school when they may in fact be completely unrelated to the organisation - for example a disturbance outside the premises.'

Taken together with the refusal of Tayside Police to break down the crime statistics to each of the 46 primary and secondary schools in the city (excluding Kingspark School and Nursery Schools), it is difficult to know whether there any potential hot spots in terms of neighbourhoods where schools are located or any particular schools to be concerned about.

Where offences have been committed in our schools during school hours, I commend our Head Teachers who have summoned Tayside Police to intervene in response to these.

There is however no room for complacency. The safety of our pupils and staff in our schools must be our priority.

I have written to the Director of Education to ask him to add this report to the agenda of the Education Review Group who will be meeting next week. I want to know whether there is anything the Director believes would help make our schools safer places to learn and work.

Temporary Road Closures Central Broughty Ferry - Evenings Monday 21 - Wednesday 23 November 2011

2011-11-18T22:00:00.000Z

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY

beingsatisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of theerection of the

Broughty Ferry Christmas Lights being carried out

HEREBYPROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in

BrookStreet (between Fort Street and Gray Street), Broughty Ferry.
GrayStreet (between Long Lane and King Street), Broughty Ferry.
FortStreet (between Long Lane and King Street), Broughty Ferry.

This notice comes into effecton Monday 21 November 2011 for 3 evenings between the hours of 6.00pmand 10.00pm.

Only one section of road willbe closed at any one time.

Local diversion routes willbe available for each closure.

Access will be maintainedwhere possible.

For further informationcontact (01382) 433168.

Issues Arising From the Consultation About The Proposed 33 Period Week In Dundee Secondary Schools

2011-11-17T15:52:00.000Z

The series of consultation meetings about the proposed thirty three period week kicked off at Grove Academy on Monday evening.

About eighty parents and carers gathered to hear from Acting Head Teacher, Lesley Elder and Acting Head of Secondary Education in the City, Paul Clancy. The new Head Teacher of Grove Academy, Graham Hutton, (prior to taking up his new post at the end of the month) was also on the platform.

While many issues were satisfactorily clarified and the exchanges between parents and carers and senior teachers and school managers remained polite, a number of reservations remained at the end of the evening. These were particularly about the implementation of the proposed thirty three period week as it would affect Grove Academy.

Firstly, strong concerns were raised about the proposed closing time of 15:15 on the four shorter days - Tuesday to Friday. If left as it appeared on the template projected onto the screen, it would clash with the main closing time for pupils at Eastern Primary School. While alternatives were discussed, there appeared to be insufficient acknowledgement that a clash with the finish time at Eastern Primary School was not an option. It was mentioned that a differential start and finish time for the school day in Grove Academy and Eastern Primary School had been guaranteed at the Project Board meetings that David Dorward, the Council's Chief Executive, had chaired in advance of the move by Eastern Primary School to the 'old Grove' site.

Secondly, it became clear that no provision had been made to gather the opinions of parents who were not able to attend the formal consultation event. Is the opinion of Grove parents in this consultation restricted to the less than 10% that were able to attend the meeting on Monday night?

Thirdly, it was clear that some parents were shocked and disappointed at the related news that when the proposed new timetable begins in August 2012, pupils in Dundee Schools will apparently take 6 school subjects from S4 leading to the new national examinations in S4. This is a reduction from the eight choices currently available in our nine Secondary Schools at Standard Grade starting in S3 and examined at the end of S4. This was a matter of regret for some parents who pointed out that Grove had very recently been rated as the twentieth most successful state Secondary School in Scotland by the Sunday Times.

Incidentally, this apparent reduction in subject choices has not yet been brought to the Education Committee.

Music from Nablus - Concert Tuesday 22 November Steps Theatre 7pm

2011-11-17T12:51:00.001Z

Four musicians from An Najah National University in Nablus playing the oud, Arabic flute and keyboards will enchant you with traditional songs and music

Tuesday 22nd November at 7pm

(Doors open 6:40pm)

Steps Theatre Wellgate, Dundee DD1 1DB (Victoria Road entrance)

Refreshments

Arranged by Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association

Tickets £8 (Concessions £6, under 16 free)

phone Catherine Rice 07757 356 930 or
email catherinemrice@yahoo.co.uk

Stop The Great SNP Train Robbery Including the End of Sleeper and Direct Cross Border Trains From Dundee

2011-11-16T16:19:00.001Z

The SNP government has just published a plan for the future of Scotland’s railways.

But instead of getting a better deal for the public, the ideas they have put forward include:

cancelling the sleeper service
stopping cross border trains that go to beyond Edinburgh, so there are no direct trains from Dundee, Motherwell, Perth, Inverness, Aberdeen to London or anywhere south of the border
splitting off the more profitable parts of the ScotRail network
increasing the cost of peak time tickets
longer journey times to “improve” punctuality – but with fewer trains
changes on capacity which could result in overcrowding, being told to wait for the next train, or standing the whole journey

This isn't a serious plan for the future of Scotland's railways. It would have a negative effect in Dundee by removing our direct rail and sleeper services to London. This would not only be inconvenient to rail travelers having to make more changes on their long distance journeys but also have a negative effect on the local economy.

That is why today Scottish Labour has launched a campaign to save Scotland’s railways. We have launched an online petition with a target to get 50,000 signatures opposing these plans.

Last time the SNP floated such crazy transport ideas – charging cyclists for using the pavements – they were thrown out by sheer weight of public opinion.

Labour will be campaigning on the side of Scottish passengers, not on the side of the big train companies.

To register your opposition to this plan and to demand the government in Holyrood think again add your support to our online petition.

Council Avoid Answering the Questions I Have Been Asking About Teacher Numbers

2011-11-16T15:00:00.000Z

Late on Monday afternoon, I was notified that the item from the Agenda of the Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee - 'Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme for Teaching Staff and Associated Professionals' had been withdrawn.

I think this is because the Administration are very reluctant to provide public answers to the questions I have been asking about maintaining teacher numbers in Dundee Schools and the financial penalties if teacher numbers are not maintained.

Councillor Guild (Leader of the Administration of the Council) has been attending Leaders' Meetings at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). As part of the budgetary settlement, Councillor Guild has agreed to accept the imposition of economic sanctions from the Scottish Government if teacher numbers are not maintained in return for some additional cash from the government. But what sanctions are these and in what circumstances will they be applied?

If Councillor Guild can't declare what these will be, we would have been in danger of making a decision last night which would later not have been honoured. This would have disappointed teachers who had been encouraged to apply for something that might not really be available.

Councillor Guild needs to give the Council the full facts before we can be confident that we have a viable early retirement scheme for teachers to approve.

His Education Convener, Councillor Fordyce also needs to be clear about what level of pupil teacher ratio she wants to protect in Dundee Schools.

Clearly they were both not prepared to provide any answers on Monday night.

Dundee parents and carers as well as Councillors deserve straight answers to these questions that will affect the schools and nurseries that their children are attending.

YAABA-Dabba Dook! New Year's Day 2012

2011-11-15T18:28:00.001Z

Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association (the Phibbies) have just published their handsome official programme for the New Year's Day Dook 2012.

It contains the programme of events before and after the dook at 10:00 am.

It also contains the entry form to complete and submit prior to the event. Alternatively apply online.

A Gamble with the Future of our Children?

2011-11-14T15:36:00.000Z

At the Policy and Resources Committee tonight, Councillors are being asked to approve a new round of enhanced early retirement for Teachers in Dundee schools.

Judging by the interest in previous rounds of early retirements, there may well be be many inquiries from serving teachers about taking up this new offer.

But can we afford to reduce our number of serving teachers any further?

Since this time last year we know that there are 99 fewer teachers working in our schools. The Director of Education's comments in the Courier last week indicate that he thinks there is scope for a further reduction in teacher numbers as we have a favourable pupil teacher ratio compared with other councils in urban areas.

Additionally, the Scottish Government have threatened financial penalties if teacher numbers were not maintained year by year by local authorities.

So how much lower does Councillor Ken Guild (Leader of the Council and Convener of the Finance and General Purposes Committee) think teacher numbers can fall without incurring financial penalties?

And how much lower does Councillor Liz Fordyce (Convener of the Education Committee) think teacher numbers can fall without damaging attainment and achievement in our schools?

I think we need reassuring answers to these questions before we can take a decision to approve this new round of early retirement of teachers. Anything less would I think be a gamble with the future of our children.

Grove Academy Top State School in Tayside - 20th in Sunday Times Ranking

2011-11-13T14:39:00.001Z

Congratulations to staff and pupils of Grove Academy for achieving their top twenty place in the Sunday Times list of Top 50 Scottish State Secondary School published today.

Their ranking of 20th place in Scotland was up 4 places from 2010.

The top 50 table also shows that Grove is not only the top performing school in Dundee but also within Tayside.

Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership Meeting Next Week

2011-11-11T10:21:00.000Z

THE FERRY LOCAL COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

MEETING

THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2011 – 6.00 PM

PANMUREFIELD CHURCH

BROUGHTY FERRY

Local Community Planning Partnerships have been established in each Dundee City Council Ward since 2008. The main purpose of these bodies is to ensure that Community Plans are devised and implemented in response to the locally identified needs in each Ward and to improve the co-ordination of Dundee City Council services with those of our other public and voluntary sector partners.

The meetings are open to members of the public where issues of community concern can be raised in relation to items on the agenda through the chair of meeting.

If you wish to attend and would like further information about the meeting or the Community Planning Partnership, please use the contact details shown below.

A G E N D A

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

2. PREVIOUS MINUTE AND MATTERS ARISING

3. COMMUNITY PLAN 2012-2015

4. DUNDEE LOCAL PLAN - MAINS ISSUES (ANDY MULLHOLLAND, CITY DEVELOPMENT)

5. DEPARTMENT/AGENCY/ORGANISATION UPDATE

6. COMMUNITY ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC

7. DATES AND TIMES OF 2012 MEETINGS

Carole Jenkins

Communities Officer The Ferry

Tel 438594 (Tues, Wed only)

Email carole.jenkins@dundeecity.gov.uk

Remembrance Day 11 November 2011

2011-11-11T05:00:00.000Z

Ninety three years ago at 11 am on 11 November 1918 the Armistice, which brought the end to hostilities in the First World War, came into effect.

Our two minutes silence at 11:00 today
"commemorates the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts"

Countdown to 2011 Switching On Broughty Ferry Christmas Lights Thursday 24 November 2011 from 6:00 pm

2011-11-10T00:30:00.000Z

Its just two weeks to go before the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Broughty Ferry on Thursday 24 November 2011.

Assemble at 6pm for live music, carol singing, Radio Tay, street artists and children's entertainment. Mulled wine and Scott Brothers burghers will also be available.

The switching on of the lights ceremony will be performed by Lord Provost John Letford at 7pm.

Free Weekend Pass for Historic Scotland Attractions 26/27 November 2011

2011-11-09T15:26:00.002Z

What better way to celebrate St Andrew's Day than free passes to some of Scotland's most stunning attractions?

Click here to register for a free weekend pass that grants two adults and up to three children free entry to 42 fascinating Historic Scotland sites for 26/27 of November 2011.

Could 'Trixi' Mirrors Save Lives in Dundee Streets?

2011-11-09T12:09:00.000Z

Trixi mirrors are the latest road safety development to help keep cyclists safe on our roads. They can give drivers of large vehicles a view of their blind spot - the corridor down their left where cyclists become invisible.

They are named after Beatrix Willburger, a Swiss young woman who was killed by a lorry turning left. Her father has since promoted the use of the mirrors at junctions.

They are relatively low costs improvements requiring no wiring or digging up the highway to install.

Right now Trixi mirrors are being trialled in London. I have written to Neil Gellatly, Head of Transportation in the City Council to ask him to keep an eye on the trial down south and consider installing these at busy junctions in the city.