Commenting on SQA Exam Results in Dundee 7 August 2012

This morning there will have been mixed emotions among the many hundreds of pupils and students in our city who will have been opening their SQA exam results. Whether reading their results in a text, email or in the contents of their SQA envelope received through the post, this will be a 'red letter day'. 

For many candidates there will be tears of joy and sighs of relief that hard work has been rewarded with passes and grades that will open doors to continuing studies at School or new opportunities and challenges at College, University and in the world of work. For some there will inevitably be disappointment with the results achieved and the necessity for a rethink.

I warmly congratulate pupils and students on all their successes in their various SQA examinations and assessments. Like many of our medal winning athletes in the Olympics, these successes will not be a flash in the pan but will be based on hard work over a sustained period of time. And of course I should not forget to credit  the support of the equivalent of the coaches and supporters. In this case, the inspiration and encouragement of the teachers and parents and carers as well as the wider network of friends and family will also have been part of the story behind these successes.

For those that are disappointed with their results, I would encourage taking to heart the proverb that my late Father used to repeat on those occasions when I hadn't excelled: 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' 

For those who have missed their grades to meet a provisional offer for a place at University, this will be anxious time to see whether their grades are still acceptable or whether an alternative place or course might be available through clearing. Clearing 2012 opens today http://www.ucas.ac.uk/ 

for applicants in Scotland.

Later this week or next, analyses be available from the Director of Education about how the results of our school pupils add up across the city and how these city wide results compare with previous years and with other areas in Scotland. But for today, the focus should be on celebrating the positive results of our pupils who deserve their day enjoying their successes; their medal winning performances. Well done!

Temporary Road Closure in Gray Street to Facilitate Maintenance Work by Scottish Water

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

SECTION 14(1)

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of Scottish water maintenance works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Gray Street (from King Street to Beach Crescent), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Wednesday 15 August 2012 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via King Street / St Vincent Street / Beach Crescent.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

Mike P Galloway

Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Comprehensive Response by Council to Potential Underfoot Hazard on Coastal Walkway/Cyclepath

On Sunday 29 July I wrote to the Council about my concerns about the very slippery underfoot conditions (see photo) on a stretch of the coastal cyclepath/walkway midway between the Stannergate and Grassy Beach. 


On Monday 30 July I received a positive and detailed response from the Environment Department. They undertook to send in staff to remove all the vegetation along the southern side of the walkway which would be followed up by a mechanical sweeper.


They had also undertaken to clarify the responsibility for the cleaning of the small drains on this section of the walkway/cyclepath which they agreed were blocked and needed to be flushed out.


On Friday 3 August, I received a further update from the Environment Department confirming that the footpath had had the weeds removed from the Stannergate through to Douglas Terrace on Friday 6 August, the sweeping machine had been programmed for Monday 6 August prior to new drains being installed on Tuesday 7 August.


Well done to the staff at the Environment Department for a prompt and comprehensive response.

Balmossie Fire Station Celebrating 30 Years Service to Broughty Ferry - Open Day Sunday 19 August 11am - 3pm

Fire Fighters at Balmossie Fire and Rescue Station invite you to join them at an open day on Sunday 19 August  running from 11 am to 3 pm.


The open day is also a celebration of the stations 30th year of operation and is open to everyone to attend. This will allow members of the public, young and old, to see the many facets of their work within the community and provide a chance to meet fire fighters and see some demonstrations of their practical rescue skills.


The fact that our Fire and Rescue station is 'turning thirty' is testament to the determination of  residents and businesses in Broughty Ferry to support our firefighters in their campaigns against proposals from the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board to downgrade Balmossie in 2008/9 and 2009/10.


Link to previous posts about the campaigns to retain Balmossie Fire and Rescue Station.

Safer Routes for Cycling Now on Google Maps

Click on map to enlarge

Finding a safer route to ride your bike is set to be easier as cycling routes are made available on UK Google Maps for the first time. This follows a collaboration between the UK charity Sustrans and Google.


In what is a ground-breaking move, National Cycle Network routes across the UK can now be navigated online using a new bicycle symbol on Google Maps, alongside the options of driving, public transport and walking.


Cyclists can now plan their trips, make use of bike lanes, calculate cycle-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customise the map for cycling on smart phones and computers.


My illustration above shows the results of my trying out this feature and asking for directions from my home postcode in The Ferry to my office in City Square. If you enlarge the screen shot from my computer you can clearly see the National Cycle Network routes marked and selected. I think many cyclists will find this a useful feature so that they can easily locate safer routes to cycle to work, school, shopping or for fun and fitness.


I also notice that Google Maps are inviting interested parties to help them develop their cycle maps by sending in details of cycle routes other than those that are part of the network of national cycle routes. I have written to the Director of Transportation to request that Dundee Travel Active are invited to input to Google Maps the detailed information they have on record about local cycle tracks and routes throughout the city.

SQA Exam Results Leak Out 6 Days Early

This morning it has been revealed that some of the 2012 SQA exam results have been leaked out six days early. It has been admitted that a considerable number of pupils with firm offers from the University of St Andrews have been able to log into the University's website yesterday and read their results.

It is patently unfair that indirectly that some students have access to their results in advance of most students and pupils still waiting for their results until Tuesday. While it appears that it is only one of our Universities which have slipped up this time; they are supplied with the results in advance of their going out to students and in confidence, not to be published on a website five days before the results are notified to all the other exam candidates. 

I think there are questions to be asked of SQA about the basis of and management of their supplying their confidential results to Universities in advance of the date they are made available to the candidates. The University of St Andrews must also answer for their sloppy management of embargoed data.

This is unfortunately not the first time the exam results have been notified in advance. When optional text message notification of results was introduced, those exam candidates that had registered for a text notification received these the day before the results were due to be delivered by post.

One Cut That Has Not Gone Far Enough in Broughty Ferry

Click on image to enlarge

It is unusual for a Labour Councillor to be arguing that the cuts are not going far enough. In this case, it's the Council's grass cutting that is not going far enough.
Let me explain. 
Have a look at my photograph of the small public green space which is situated at the Western end of Douglas Terrace in The Ferry. Taken over a week ago I hope it is possible for you to to see that a patch of grass on the bank of this public open space has not been mowed. Notice the daisies growing in the longer grass on the bank compared with the shorter length of more recently cut grass on the flatter section of this open space. And one week later that's how it remains but all the grass is longer with some much longer than the rest because it missed being mowed at the last cut.
I inquired, at the June Meeting of the Environment Committee, about why edges of flower beds and steep grassy banks are not mowed at the same time as the rest of the grass. After all that's what most folk would do in their own gardens. I was told that for 'efficiency' reasons flatter sections of grass are mowed separately from the steeper slopes and different mowers are used.
While I can accept that the mowing regime means that steep banks get cut later, I did not imagine that this meant there might be more than a week between different sections of the same expanse of grass being cut.
So that's why, in this instance, I am demanding more extensive cuts! 
As the famous expression goes, 'If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.'

Camphill Road Temporary Closure Proposed for Resurfacing Works Beginning 10 September 2012

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating carriageway resurfacing works.  The Order is expected to be in force for ten days from 10 September 2012.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Camphill Road from Castleroy Road to Campfield Road.

Pedestrian thoroughfare and vehicular access to premises will be maintained where possible.

An alternative route will be available via Panmure Street, Monifieth Road, Abertay Street and reverse.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to Andy Scrimgeour, Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee  DD1 1LS, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.  If you have any queries please contact Mr Scrimgeour on 01382 433168.

Gold Medal Hopes for Broughty Ferry in Bloom in Beautiful Scotland 'Olympics'

Judging took place earlier today of Broughty Ferry competing in the 'Coastal Towns' category of the Beautiful Scotland awards.

In this Olympic year I think Broughty Ferry in Bloom will be hoping that all their hard work throughout the year will will be rewarded with a gold 'medal' rather than the silver award they achieved in 2011.


Each entrant community is judged by on 3 main themes namely: 

• Horticultural Achievement, 
• Environmental Responsibility and 
• Community Participation. 

The cleanliness of the area, the level of graffiti and the sustainability issues, such as recycling, are all taken into account and contribute to the entrant community achieving either a Bronze, Silver, Silver Gilt or Gold medal.

Despite the rain showers, the two visiting judges were apparently impressed with what they saw, when I met them at the Rock Gardens with members of the Broughty Ferry in Bloom Committee. The judges left to conduct their visits to St Andrews and later in the week to Rothesay, so there is stiff competition for top place in the coastal town category.

Alba Real Ale Festival at Royal Tay Yacht Club Saturday 24 and Sunday 26 August 2012 Already Sold Out

On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August 2012 - the Royal Tay Yacht Club have organised the Alba Real Ale Festival. 
It looks like they are onto a winner as all the tickets have been sold a month before the event. 
Let's hope they have some good weather for their Real Ale Festival and have some Olympic Sailing medals to celebrate as well.

Slippery Hazard on Coastal Walkway/Cyclepath Between Stannergate and the Grassybeach

Water running over the coastal footpath/cyclepath running between the Stannergate and Douglas Terrace has created what I think is a hazard, especially for walkers. 


Over the weekend, I could see that there was a short but very slippery stretch of green slime stretching across the path just beneath Ravenscraig Gardens. Water is usually oozing out of a cleft in the wall beneath the railway line at this  point. The unusually high levels of rainfall in June and July have presumably led to a greater volume of water running over the path. This in turn has created the conditions for a more extensive area of green fungal slime. This has created very slippery under foot conditions which for an unsuspecting person might lead to a serious slip or fall.


On Sunday, I wrote to the Environment Department to notify them about what I think is a potential hazard and ask that they clean off the surface of the path at the point I have indicated as well as unblock the drains on the seaward side of the path so that running water drains away more efficiently.

Concerns About Continuing Access to UK Research Council Grants for City's Universities

The contribution of our two Universities in Dundee to the economic renaissance of the city is widely acknowledged. Underpinning the success of, for example, the Univeristy of Dundee's outstanding work in the bio-sciences is research funding. I believe that a significant proportion of the income of the University of Dundee, Abertay University and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art comes from awards from the UK wide Research Councils. 

Each year the combined Research Councils UK invest in research throughout the UK. This research apparently covers the full spectrum of academic subjects from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, environmental sciences and the arts and humanities.

In Scotland on Sunday (Sunday 29 July 2012), Alan Trench, a senior research fellow at University College London, has warned that post independence, university level institutions in Scotland would no longer be able to access grants from the UK Research Councils from which they currently receive a disproportionate levels of funding.

In 2010-11, Scottish institutions received £232 million from the councils, or 15 per cent of its overall £1.56 billion funding pot available for 
research grants to all UK universities whereas Scotland has only about 8.5 per cent of the UK’s population. 


It was also reported, in the same article, that the Scottish Government has commissioned 
Professor Ian Diamond, principal of Aberdeen University and a former chair of Research Councils UK’s executive group, to look into this issue.


I hope Ian Diamond's report will not be shrouded in secrecy when it is has been submitted to the Scottish Government. It is vitally important to have some straight answers to issues that potentially affect the future success of our Universities and economic prosperity of the city. Bearing in mind that many of the larger research grants are for longer than one year, I think it is also important that Professor Diamond's report is not unduly delayed.

Quest to Correct Open Street Map Covering Dundee Road in Broughty Ferry

Click on map to enlarge

In 2009 I took up a mapping error with Google Maps, which wrongly labelled the section of Dundee Road where I live as Brook Street. Two years later I was able to report that my suggested changes had been incorporated into Google Maps. This seemed like job eventually done. At last taxis and parcel deliveries didn't need elaborate directions.


Yesterday, I was referred to Open Street Map who provide free access to world wide maps down to street level. When I checked their website, the same error I had detected in Google Maps three years ago was evident in their maps - see above. Since Open Street Map provide maps for a number of organisations and websites, I wrote to them to point out the error and hoped a member of their not for profit community would make the change in less than 20 months. Imagine my delight to receive an email twenty minutes later to say the change had been accepted and was already visible online. 


When my issue with Google Maps was publicised in 2009, I was teased by a number of my Councillor colleagues who offered to lead me back home in their cars if I couldn't manage without a sat-nav. Of course I took this in good part; but having an online mapping error affecting your street is really no joking matter in an age when so many commercial deliveries, businesses and individuals rely on online mapping.

Graduate Unemployment Figures Very Disappointing

In April this year Citizens' Advice Scotland recognised that for some time their advice bureau advisers across Scotland had been reporting an increase in the numbers of graduates who were facing financial problems because they could not get work.   Citizens' Advice Scotland decided to undertake a survey to investigate the extent of these problems, and to give those affected a platform to have their say.


Yesterday Citizen's Advice Scotland revealed the results from this survey of  Scottish graduates.  Their report records that over half of respondents said they had experienced a period of unemployment after graduating with 20% reporting to have been unemployed for over a year.


Most Scots graduates went to university to get an education, to enhance their skills and to enhance their employability. It is therefore very disappointing to hear that so many graduates are experiencing long periods of worklessness.

Unfortunately this picture was not unexpected to me. Running up to the May 2012 local government elections, a number of unemployed graduates living in Broughty Ferry wrote to invite my response to their graduate unemployment. Others were disillusioned to find that their only option, job wise, was to return to their holiday employer doing a job for which they are now over qualified. 


Significantly this generation of young people is referred to as 'the boomerang generation', leaving home to go to University and College but returning to the parental home when they couldn't find work and had clocked up mountains of student debt now weighing heavily on their shoulders.

Cautious Welcome for Proposed New Sheltered Housing Development

Yesterday the City Council Planning Department confirmed that, under delegated authority to planning staff, Dundee City Council had granted planning permission for a development of retirement housing in land to the north of Arbroath Road in The Ferry.


The development comprises 60 homes for older people in a courtyard development that incorporates a former steading.


The site is on the northern edge of Broughty Ferry between the A92 Arboath Road and Drumsturdy Road just north of the Dighty Burn.


In their application the developers refer to this as "new build supported living community comprising 60 flats and communal facilities."


While many aspects of the development seem well designed and carefully conceived, I do wonder whether this is an ideal site for what is apparently a sheltered housing development? The relative remoteness from the shops and other services in central Broughty Ferry and the lack of a local shop mean that the residents would be reliant on their own transport or the developer's promise to provide a minibus service to central Broughty Ferry until a bus service is established. 


I also have questions about any large scale housing developments in Broughty Ferry and the capacity of our local public services to cope with increasing levels of demand for drainage, doctors and social care.

Link to more information about this planning application that preceded the granting of planning permission.