Broughty Ferry Post Office Reopening

On Tuesday, Post Office Limited in Glasgow advised me that after a great deal of work their field team have managed to secure a temporary short term arrangement that will allow them to restore a Post Office service in central Broughty Ferry in the recently closed former NISA premises.  The opening is imminent with the possibility that a service can be resumed within the next couple of days.

This is positive news for residents and local businesses inconvenienced by the sudden closure of our local Post Office at the corner of Gray Street and Queen Street. I hope the staff who lost their jobs back in January will have the opportunity to be re-employed.

It is also positive to know that the Post Office field team continue to work with interested local retailers to seek a longer term solution and will do everything they can to progress this as soon as possible.

Libraries in Scotland Busiest in UK - Broughty Ferry Library Busiest Branch in Dundee

A study recently published by the Carnegie UK Trust has found 50% of respondents in Scotland have used a library in the past year, the highest rate in the UK.  

The five-year study involved 1000 participants in Scotland. It discovered more than three-quarters (77%) of people said library facilities are important for their communities and 37% said they are important for them personally.

Almost three-quarters (71%) of families with children aged five to 11 visited libraries last year, up 3% on 2011.

In recent surveys of library users in Dundee, our library in Broughty Ferry consistently comes out as the busiest branch library in the city, second only to the Central Library in the Wellgate.

New Sunday Bookbug Session for Broughty Ferry

New weekend Bookbug Session coming soon to Broughty Ferry!

Start date: Sunday January 29th at 4.00pm. Thereafter every last Sunday of the month.

Location: St Mary's Episcopal Church, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry DD5 1AJ (just up the hill from the Post Office Bar).

Bookbug Sessions are free, fun and friendly events for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families to enjoy together. 

Each session lasts around 30 minutes and includes songs, stories and rhymes. There's no need to book and they take place in a very relaxed environment.

Going along to a session is a great way to meet other mums, dads, carers and children.  They also have lots of benefits for your child, such as building up their confidence and social skills, and will give their speech and language development a real boost!

Come and join us - you'll be warmly welcomed to the session.

Charity Quiz Night for Maggies Centre Dundee at Post Office Bar on Tues 22 November 2016

Potholes at Entrance to Car Park on the Esplanade Reported

Constituents have complained to me about the very uneven surface at the entrance to the car park located midway along The Esplanade. As can be seen in the picture, a number of potholes have developed and are getting worse. 

This is a well used free car park which offers visitors and residents alike a good place to park with easy access to the beach and the grassy margin between the dunes and The Esplanade.

I have asked the Environment Department to arrange for the potholes to be filled in and a more even surface restored.

Support Our Local Charity Timebank Pop-Up Shop

Starting next Monday, 21st November, our own Timebank in The Ferry will be running a Christmas Emporium at 69 Gray Street Broughty Ferry. 

As a local charity, Ferry Time, need to raise funds so that they can continue to operate the time bank and thereby enable skills exchange between folk. 

This pop up shop will be selling hand made crafts, donated new items as well as vintage and previously enjoyed goods. Teas, coffees, biscuits and home baking will also be on sale. Tombola.

Harbouring Tourist Information on a Touch Screen Display

I was over in Fife for a dog walk in Tentmuir Forest on Wednesday morning. On the way home, I dropped in for a coffee at the Harbour Community Cafe in Tayport.

Apart for the coffee and cakes and the wonderful view over to The Ferry, I noticed that they also host one of the Fife Local Information Points.

As you can see it like a giant iPad on a stand and provides online touchscreen access to information for residents and tourists.

I think this is the standard of dispersed Tourist Information we need across the water in Dundee and Broughty Ferry. For many folk, leaflets just won't cut it in a digital age.

Tayberry Restaurant Makes Michelin Guide 2017

Congratulations to Tayberry Restaurant on their recommendation in the 2017 edition of the Michelin Guide. 

The Tayberry Restaurant is owned and run by head chef Adam Newth. Adam has previously won many awards including Young Seafood Chef of the Year as well as Young Scottish Chef of the Year in 2013. 

More recently the Tayberry restaurant has also been awarded two AA Rosettes.

BBC Reveal Broughty Ferry Police Station Under Threat

Yesterday there were revelations from the BBC that 'The future of dozens of police stations across Scotland is under threat.' This list included our Police Station in Broughty Ferry.

The BBC report is extremely worrying. I had been informed that the lease on the current Police Station buildings in Brook Street was coming to an end but that Police Scotland were proposing to move over the road to the former Police Station premises next to the Burgh Halls.  If that move is reneged on and Police Scotland are proposing to pull out of Broughty Ferry, I know there will be will be sustained resistance to that.

I am sure that the Broughty Ferry residents would once again demonstrate their opposition to a proposal that they judge to be detrimental, in the same way we saw off the proposal of Tayside Fire and Rescue to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station. 

I am certainly determined to resist any reduction in Police Scotland presence in and service to The Ferry.

Countdown to Christmas Lights Night in Broughty Ferry Thursday 24 November 2016

2017 Broughty Ferry Calendar on Sale

The 2017 Broughty Ferry Calendar is now available, priced £10. As before the calendar has been produced and funded by The Broughty Ferry Traders' Association to raise funds to support local good causes in Broughty Ferry and nearby. Last year the calendar generated a surplus of over £6,000 which allowed the BFTA to donate around £3,000 to a variety of local organisations and to fund several other initiatives which benefited The Ferry.

To achieve this, the BFTA committee have once again invited their members, who are willing, to sell the calendar without profit, (ie returning all monies to the BFTA Good Causes fund). 

Calendars available now from Eduardo Alessandro Studios, Gillies and many other retailers in The Ferry.

City Council Approves Annual Grant to BERA

On Monday 12 September, The Neighbourhood Services Committee of the City Council approved the annual administration grants for Adult Education Associations in Dundee. Broughty Ferry Education Association (BERA) were awarded £3000.

This will help Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) to continue to develop good quality evening classes at Grove Academy and Forthill Primary School.

Link to BERA's website
Link to BERA's Facebook Page

Commenting on the West Ferry Boundary Decision

This is indeed a moment to celebrate. 

Clearly the Scottish Government's decision to overturn the recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland was based on the breadth and number of residents' objections. 

Thanks to the West Ferry Action Group for ably leading the campaign to keep all of West Ferry in The Ferry ward for local elections.

Residents' concerns were underpinned by a strong sense of identity with Broughty Ferry. 

That was the same positive sense of place and togetherness that supported crowd funding £10,000+ in a fortnight to fund the purchase of the Oor Wully Lifesaver at the auction on Tuesday evening.

Is 20 Plenty for Broughty Ferry?

Dundee City Council is currently running a consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph zones in 'residential areas' across the city including Broughty Ferry. 

In the Ferry this would involve introducing 20mph speed limits on most streets while retaining 30mph limits on main roads and bus routes. The consultation period runs until Thursday 30 June 2016.

The council recognise that 20mph limits have definitive road safety benefits and these can provide a basis where people feel safer to use more sustainable modes of transport such as walking and cycling.
https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/20mphconsultation

The objective of introducing the 20mph limit is to improve the local environment in residential areas for all road users, including car drivers, by reducing the number and severity of collisions and casualties on the city's roads, making the city a safer and better place to live in.

The Council hopes that by making the streets safer and more pleasant to use this will encourage more cycling and walking, especially for local trips. This will not only bring road safety benefits, but will also help to improve overall health and wellbeing, reduce congestion and may improve air quality.

The council has launched this city wide consultation on 20mph limits and it is hoped that residents and local organisations participate in this consultation exercise. 

This consultation exercise relates to 20mph limits that will be signed only ie there will be no other physical measures to reduce vehicle speeds associated with any imposed 20mph limit.

The council would appreciate if you could consider the map which highlights areas where the Council feel 20mph limits may be appropriate and answer a few questions relating to 20mph limits in the city. Clicking on the link below will also take you to the online questionnaire.

Should you wish to complete the online questionnaire without viewing the map please go directly to the online questionnaire.

The map for this consultation exercise and a hard copy of the questionnaire will be available in Dundee House Reception as well as The East and West Housing Offices.

A PDF version of the questionnaire is available via this link. This should be printed off and the completed questionnaire emailed to 20mphconsultation@dundeecity.gov.uk (link sends e-mail) or submitted by post to: Roads & Transport Division, City Development Department, Dundee City Council, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee DD1 1LS.

Should you wish to submit comments above those given in the questionnaire, please email 20mphconsultation@dundeecity.gov.uk . Any email submitted will receive an automated receipt response but there will be no further communication to individual queries. However, any comments submitted in this way will be considered as part of the consultation exercise.

The consultation period will run until Thursday 30 June 2016.

Best Wishes for Christmas 2015

Ferry Christmas Carol Service 7pm Monday 14 December 2015 St James's Parish Church

The annual Lifeboat Carol Concert will be held in St James Parish Church (the Lifeboat Church) on Monday 14 December 2015 beginning at 7pm

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.

St James’ Parish Church, Fort Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2AD

Broughty Ferry Lifeboat Open Day Sunday 27 Sept 2015

Murray Brown, Coxwain of Broughty Ferry Lifeboat said:

"We invite everyone to come to our open day this Sunday 27 September 2015. 

There will be lots to see and do, including a chance to see round the lifeboat itself if the weather is fair enough for this to be safe. Folk can also meet the crew and enjoy refreshments and a barbecue. 

It is vitally important to us to establish and maintain close links with the local community. Just like Wave 102, we are here to serve the local community and we appreciate the support we get from Dundee’s local radio station, helping us to keep in touch with the people of Dundee. 

It is only through community support that RNLI volunteers can provide the essential service of saving lives at sea."

A Day in the Life of Your Local Councillor

Tuesday 8 September 2015 was a day full of meetings and activities.

My working day began at about 09:30 at home reading and writing emails and making phone calls on behalf of constituents. On average I receive more than twenty emails a day about constituency and Council matters as well as letters and reports including papers for Council meetings.

At 11:15, I joined residents from Forthill sheltered housing on their annual estate walkabout with staff representatives from Housing, Environment, Roads, Tenant Participation and Communities. As we walked around the area we noted action points based on our observations and the complaints and comments made by residents who we met us at their gates and doors. At 12:25 I left to go to my next meeting which was in Dundee.

I picked up my post from my Council pigeonhole at my City Square Office and then walked over to Dundee House where i was due at 13:00 to join an interview panel for appointing a Head Teacher for St Joseph's Primary School. The vacancy arose following the death of Marion Myles, the very popular and effective Head Teacher. After a series of interviews, the panel selected a 'preferred candidate' who, following formalities such as references, should be confirmed publicly to Parents, Pupils and Staff in due course.

I arrived back home in time to take my dog Milli for a short walk, before going to Broughty Ferry Library for my weekly surgery. Two constituents came in and reported a recurring parking and road safety issue in their street. We discussed possible solutions and agreed actions I would take. This will need some follow up communications with the Transportation Department.

Back home at about 18:20 with time for a mug of tea and collecting my papers for the next meeting. At 19:00 I arrived at Staff Room in Grove Academy for the AGM and termly meeting of the Grove Academy Parent Council. Penny Lewis was re-elected as Chairperson together with other office bearers. The meeting received a detailed report from Head Teacher, Graham Hutton, which included reference to the very positive but provisional 2015 SQA examination results for Grove pupils, the international sporting achievements of pupils, the school trips under consideration for the 2015/16 session as well as changes in staffing.

Home again at 21:30 and time for a late supper with my wife Rowena.

Not every day contains such a full schedule of 'meetings' and everyday is different; that's what I find so interesting and absorbing about the office of City Councillor.

West Ferry Residents Have Their Say About Proposed Local Govenmernt Boundary Changes

Photo copyright Dundee Courier

On Tuesday evening upwards of three hundred residents attended a public meeting organised by Broughty Ferry Community Council. The meeting had been called to discuss the proposals by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland to exclude West Ferry from 'The Ferry' local government ward.

As part of their review of all local government boundaries in Scotland, the Boundary Commission, have proposed changes to ward boundaries in Dundee which they have issued for a ten week period of public consultation from the end of July 2015. 

At the meeting, it was confirmed that if the Commission's proposals were implemented, the City Council ward eight, 'The Ferry', would shrink in size by transferring that part of West Ferry west of Victoria Road and Claypotts Road to the East End Ward. 

Adjustments to ward boundaries are designed to help reduce differences between the number of electors in each ward area in the city. This is based on the principle that every elector's vote should have the same influence in an election.

The changes proposed for Broughty Ferry would transfer most residents living in West Ferry from The Ferry to the East End ward. This would not however lead to changes in residents' postcodes and addresses nor the boundaries for schools that their children can attend. Neither do I think that this would adversely affect house prices in West Ferry nor increase home insurance premiums.

But I do concede that the proposals, as they stand, cut across the boundaries of Broughty Ferry as a whole and that many, if not most, residents living in West Ferry  have a strongly felt sense of identity as part of Broughty Ferry. 

Find out more about the proposals at http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/reviews/5th_electoral/dundee_city/ or by visiting the exhibition of the maps and documents in Broughty Ferry Library. 

Paper copies of the proposals are available at the Library.

Comments on the Commission's proposals should be submitted by Thursday 22 October 2015: 

• in writing to: Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland Thistle House 91 Haymarket Terrace Edinburgh EH12 5HD 
• by email to: lgbcs@scottishboundaries.gov.uk 
• online: www.consultation.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk 

ALDI Reveal Strategy for a New Store in Broughty Ferry

Discount supermarket chain, ALDI, have recently revealed their strategy for stores in Dundee, including one in Broughty Ferry. In a recent communication with City Councillors, the Property Director at Aldi, who has responsibility for their new store programme throughout Scotland, has revealed their city-wide investment strategy for up to six Aldi stores. The map attached clearly indicates their aspiration for a new store serving Broughty Ferry.