Free Dundee App for Tourists and Residents - Simply Indispensable

Dundee App Screenshots from iPhone 5
Click on image to enlarge

Last week the City Council launched a new app to help boost tourism in the city. 

It has been developed by Waracle one of Dundee's cutting edge technology companies.

While the App was developed for tourists, residents with smart phones will also find it indispensable as it provides the most comprehensive, on the move, listings guide to the city. The app allows users to search activities by category. 

This app channels listings from the What's On Dundee website, which is staffed by a full-time team meaning the app is continually updated with up-to-the-minute events and activities. It is also the only app to include complete listings for films screening in the city at Cineworld, Odeon and Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre Cinema.

The Dundee App also has an innovative ‘shoogle' function. With a quick shake of the handset, the app generates a completely random event happening that day making it a unique and exciting way to try different activities and ‘shoogle' your way around the city.

The app is free to download on Apple or Android now.

Joining the Board of Dundee Contemporary Arts

At the full Council meeting on Monday evening, I was nominated to fill a vacancy as a Council representative on the Board of Dundee Contemporary Arts.

I am pleased to have been appointed to take on this role.

I am looking forward to attending my first board meeting in the new year.

HOPE Project Video from Young People at Helm Training is Inspirational

Yesterday, I went to the DCA for the premiere of an inspirational film made by young people involved in the HOPE project at Helm Employment in Dundee.  

Helm Old People's  Experiences (HOPE) project aimed to break down barriers between old people and teenagers by involving them in a local history project which focused on interviewing OAPs about their jobs, and working with Dundee City Council looking at the future of Dundee through the new waterfront.

Through this the young people visibly clearly grew in confidence as they conducted their video interviews. At the same time, through meeting and interviewing residents in a sheltered housing complex, the young film makers adjusted their views of older people in our city. Likewise, older interviewees seemed to appreciate the challenges for young people today.

Helm staff who devised and secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to do this project are to be commended. The young and older people who took part in the interviews deserve our appreciation for sharing their thirty minute documentary with us.

Brian Taylor's Big Debate Live from Dundee Contemporary Arts Friday 30 November 2012

Brian Taylor’s Big Debate is coming to Dundee Contemporary Arts on Friday November 30 between 12 noon and 1 pm. It will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland. 

If you would like a seat in the audience book your place at brian@bbc.co.uk

Feel free to submit a question to the Panel by email to:
brian@bbc.co.uk

Plea for No Tax on Art and Local Events in Dundee

The prospect of hefty fees to obtain a Public Entertainment Licence for small exhibitions and events—including those to be held free of charge—has been causing concern amongst artists, performers and owners of small venues and organisers of community events.
In Dundee where we have many arts based groups flourishing around Dundee Contemporary Arts and the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art they have already met to try to stave off the imposition of unreasonable charges. 
In Broughty Ferry, there are many free arts and community events including the switching on of the Christmas Lights, Gala Week and the Annual Broughty Art Society Show which potentially might be affected.
At the Licensing Committee on Thursday morning 29 March I made the following contribution to the debate:
"Members I don't want a tax on art and local entertainment in Dundee . I am pleased that common sense has prevailed and the Agenda Note for the Licensing Committee this morning takes us on a more cautious route. I think is would be a sensible decision to defer imposing any charges while the Council conducts a consultation. I expect that our lengthy consultation period would allow fears and concerns about any extension of charges to be fully explored before we are asked to decide which if any events might fall within these new regulations next year. In a city that will soon have the much heralded V and A museum on our waterfront, from which we hope our arts based sector will grow, it is important not to impose red tape, regulations and ridiculous charges that would unnecessarily stifle the very creative impulse that we are trying to foster in Dundee. Additionally I don't want to discourage community groups from organising events in their neighbourhoods for their members and supporters. We must not do anything that would discourage their valued contribution to the life of our city."


The Committee decided to defer imposing any new charges while Council staff undertake a thorough consultation.


Notes
Until recently, it was up to each local authority which public entertainment events they chose to licence. However, changes brought in by the Criminal Justice and Licensing (S) Act 2010 now require them to look at Public Entertainment Licences for free events.
One of the motivations behind this change was impromptu raves, that would spring up in some public parks – but as no entry fee was charged, the Local Authority could not effectively regulate the events through their licensing system. 
The range of licensable activities is still left to each individual Local Authority to determine according to local need. Please note that the requirement is for the place (venue etc), not the person (organisers), to be licensed.
This change is due to come into effect on 1 April 2012. Some local authorities have already considered the implications of charging licensing fees for free events and have exempted certain ones. Others, like Dundee have decided that this is a change that attracts a standard 9 month consultation period.