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.

Cllr Laurie Bidwell Announces a New Rota of Surgeries from 27 August 2012

Click on image to enlarge

I have extended my regular programme of surgeries for my constituents and these come into effect from Monday 27 August 2012. 

I have added a new weekly surgery at the Forthill Sheltered Housing Complex on a Tuesday afternoon beginning at 3:30 pm. I have also added a surgery at the Barnhill Community Centre on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month beginning at 5pm.

I also confirm that I am continuing with my weekly surgery at the Broughty Ferry Library but this will now begin at 6pm.

You can read full details of my new surgeries and my contact details in the poster displayed.

I think it's important that I am available to my constituents on a regular basis.  It is also important, in a large ward like The Ferry, that I am available to constituents in different parts of the ward and I have tried to do this through the premises where I have located my surgeries.

However, the shortage of suitable premises in West Ferry, Panmurefield, Balmossie Brae, Ferry Fields and Clearwater Park means that not everyone can have a surgery in their neighbourhood. I am also aware that many problems and issues can't wait for one of my surgeries, I am therefore very happy to hear from constituents by phone, letter or email.  It is important to me as a Councillor to hear the views of people in Broughty Ferry and respond as quickly as possible.  If you think that I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Re-election - Commitment to All my Constituents

Earlier this afternoon, after all the votes had been counted, I was declared elected to serve as one of the four councillors to represent The Ferry ward. 
I am delighted that constituents have had the confidence to re-elect me.
I wish to acknowledge the help and support of my energetic campaign team, especially my agent Kevin Findlay.
After an exhausting campaign, I am sure constituents will not begrudge me the holiday weekend to recuperate and get accustomed to coping with a broken wrist which came from a tripping up on a constituent's driveway when I was out delivering leaflets on Tuesday afternoon.
I look forward to working for all of my constituents in the coming weeks and months of the new five year term of office.

Evening Telegraph Profile - The Uncut Version

Name: Councillor Laurie Bidwell

Party: Scottish Labour Party

Age: 65

Day job: Working full time as a Councillor for The Ferry. I was formerly a Senior Lecturer at the University of Dundee.

Home area: Over 30 years ago, we moved into our family home, which is on the main street in central Broughty Ferry.

Personal aim: To maintain and make improvements to the public services on which our community relies and to use my influence to support good quality developments and initiatives. I will strenuously oppose changes that are detrimental to constituents or would undermine the distinct identity of Broughty Ferry.

It's Official - I Shall be Standing For Re-election in the Local Government Elections on 3 May

Councillor Laurie Bidwell with Scottish
Labour Party Leader Johann Lamont MSP

Earlier this month I was re-selected by the Broughty Ferry Branch of The Labour Party to seek re-election to the City Council.


I have been proud to represent residents in The Ferry over the last five years. I shall be campaigning hard to retain my seat in the local government elections on Thursday 3 May 2012.