Dook Day Approaching Fast - New Year's Day 2013 Start Time 2:30pm Broughty Ferry Harbour

The 2013 Broughty Ferry Dook will take place at 2:30pm on New Year's Day at Broughty Ferry Harbour.

The Ferry Dook is well organised by Broughty Ferry's 'Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association'; the Phibbies. 

This event attracts hundreds of dookers and three thousand or more spectators, so if you want a good view you need to turn up early.

There is still time to enter the 2013 Dook

Entry fee £15 which includes a Dook T-shirt and Certificate of Achievement . 

To enter either fill in the entry form in the printed Dook 2013 Official Programme available throughout the Ferry in shops or apply online at YeABBA Dook 2013 Entry

You can also enter on the day but you must turn up well in advance.

Council's Dog Poop Bags in Short Supply in Broughty Ferry

A  number of constituents have approached me to complain about the short supply of the Council's Dog Poop bags. Earlier this month these constituents tried the Library and their vets and they were both out of stock. When they returned a few days later to the Library on Queen Street, they were limited to one bundle of poop bags even though they own more than one dog.

I have written to the Director of Environmental Services, Ken Laing, and the Convener of the Environment Committee, Councillor Craig Melville, to enquire why Broughty Ferry residents are losing out and for reassurance that these shortages will be sorted out without further delay. I have also asked for reassurance that  they will not contemplate phasing out supplying these bags in their next round of budget cuts.  When this latter issue was raised with Ken Laing, about a years ago, he was quoted as saying:

'As a department we are looking at all opportunities for future savings and I am aware that this possible option (of phasing out the provision of free dog poop bags) has been discussed internally. I can confirm that we have no plans to remove this provision at present.'

I think that the supply of these bags, along with the provision of more than 1300 dog waste bins throughout the city, contributes to much cleaner streets. It would be a step in the wrong direction to remove the supply of the bags, which clearly many Ferry dog owners have come to rely on.

Lawrence Street Water Cover Reported Missing

Click on image to enlarge

Residents in Lawrence Street in Broughty Ferry have complained to me that they have reported a missing cast iron water stop cock cover to Scottish Water several weeks ago but it remains without a replacement cover. 

They are concerned that this is a hazard for walkers in their street. Someone inadvertently stepping into this hole might end up with a serious sprain or broken bone in their foot or leg.

Visiting the site earlier this week, I observed that among this group of five utility covers close together, it would be easy to not notice that one had its cover missing.

I have reported this to Scottish Water and sent them a copy of my photograph too.


Scottish Water Customer Contact Centre
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Call their Customer Helpline on  0845 601 8855
Write to them at Scottish Water, PO Box 8855, Edinburgh, EH10 6YQ
Email: customer.service@scottishwater.co.uk

Kellas Road Pothole Reported

Click on image to enlarge

Earlier today, I was alerted to a really deep pothole on the west side of the beginning of Kellas Road close to its junction with Baldovie Road.

This pothole is relatively deep and has sharp sides of exposed tarmac.

I have reported this to the City Engineer and the Roads Maintenance Partnership as well as ringing the Dundee City Council Customer Care Line on 01382 433063 (24/7). I have suggested that this area of the road is at least coned off until a repair can be arranged. I was informed that this pothole had already been reported to the Council by a member of the public and Tayside Police.

My picture shows a car turning left into Kellas Road with its front wheel about to encounter the pot hole.

Rapid Rethink Required Over Planned Pavement Upgrading in Broughty Ferry

Click on map to enlarge

When I read a traffic notice issued by the Council on Thursday morning proposing partially closing Gray Street in Broughty Ferry "for the purpose of facilitating kerbing and footway works" I was both surprised and hopeful. I was hopeful that there would be some repairs or improvement to the pavements. I have represented many constituents and traders who have complained about the unevenness of the pavements so it seemed good to know that work might begin in the early new year. My relief rapidly turned to disappointment when I was advised that the upgrading work was going to be a second rate job. It seems that instead of matching the materials used in 2005 to upgrade the pavements in Brook Street between Fort Street and Gray Street, cheaper materials would be used which wouldn't match the texture or colour of the first phase of the upgrading work round the corner.

This all seems at odds with Gray Street being clearly designated in the new Draft Dundee Local Development Plan as a part of the District Shopping Centre with a policy commitment to 'improve their (the District Shopping Areas) attractiveness for businesses and residents'. 

I notice in the City Centre, that improvements to pavements and street furniture have gradually spread to neighbouring streets. For example, Union Street has recently being brought up to the city centre standard. So in the Ferry we want a similar commitment not second rate and patchy pavements.

I was surprised because I had not been properly briefed about this forthcoming work at a point when this was a proposal and disappointed to have been kept out of the loop. Why was this not brought up at the last meeting of the The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership in November when all Council Services are represented round the table with all Four Ferry Councillors and members of the Community Council and other voluntary projects and groups?

I have written to my fellow Broughty Ferry Councillor and Leader of the Council Ken Guild and the Director of City Development to ask that an immediate pause is put on this. I hope he will tell me that this all a bad dream and the Council's Jacob Marley has come to his senses and determines he won't be cutting any more corners on our new pavements for The Ferry.

Happy Christmas 2012

Wishing you and yours
a very
Happy Christmas
2012

Dead Seal On Beach Efficiently Removed by Council

On Friday morning I noticed a dead seal washed up on the stony beach beside Douglas Terrace. I immediately notified the Environment Department, who arranged to collect and dispose of the carcass.

I am sure constituents would join me in acknowledging the power of work undertaken for our community by the Environment Department.

Dighty Burn in Spate in Broughty Ferry

Balmossie Mill on a fine day

On Friday, I was very concerned to learn that the Dighty Burn was in spate in Broughty Ferry. After another period of sustained torrential rain, rising water levels had been threatening to flood some of my constituents at Balmossie Mill. 

There isn't a good time to be flooded but clearly this must be a particularly difficult time. Being on flood watch in your own home just how probably means that elaborate Christmas holiday plans are disrupted and some services, you need to contact, may be slower to respond than usual as personnel are away from their desks on extended leave for Christmas and New Year. 

As well as dealing with any immediate requests for help, I shall be trying to see what the Council and Scottish Water can do to help ensure that rising water levels are better managed and homes are better protected in the future.

Visit to Dundee Foodbank

I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit the Dundee Foodbank on Monday morning along with MSPs Jenny Marra and Claire Baker. Based at the Full Gospel Church on Constitution Street, Dundee Foodbank is a registered Scottish charity committed to providing emergency food relief to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship. 

It was good to see at first hand the inspirational work they are doing to help folk in Dundee who are struggling to put food on the table. They provide a minimum of 3 days emergency food and support to local people in crisis who have been referred for help. 

It's an unfortunate fact of life that such a project should be necessary, but out of the misfortunes they address, there are many pockets of hope including the generosity of our fellow citizens donating food and many volunteers freely giving their time to collect, sort and distribute food parcels. For example, earlier this month generous customers at Tesco in Dundee donated 2.27 tonnes of food with an estimated value of £3800.

During the visit I was pleased to advise Foodbank Staff that the Council had approved a £25,000 grant for the Foodbank from the Common Good Fund. Labour Leader Kevin Keenan had brought this forward to the Policy and Resources Committee on Monday 12 December and this had been unanimously supported and approved without a vote. I hope this will mean that the Foodbank's planned development of a distribution point in the East of the city can come on stream a bit sooner than might otherwise have happened.

Contact the Dundee Foodbank

Telephone  01382 226372

Email info@dundee.foodbank.org.uk

Website http://dundee.foodbank.org.uk/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DundeeFoodbank

Dundee Examination Results - Some Observations

Click on table to enlarge

Once again Grove Academy is the top-performing school in the area, according to Education Scotland figures published on Tuesday. 

These statistics are based on passes in the SQA examinations in 2001/12. 

The figures in the table shows that 27% of Grove pupils attained a grade C or above in at least five Highers, the best performance of a state school in Dundee, Angus and Fife.

Across all Dundee Secondary Schools, 9% of pupils achieved 5 or more passes in Highers at grades A-C. This was below the national average of 13% and the 11% achieved in Fife.

Exam results are useful indicators but they only tell part of the story. They tell us where our pupils have reached at their end of their schooling but not how far they have progressed since their starting level of attainment in S1 when they entered the school. So these tables don't reveal the added value of the teaching and learning at each secondary school over the years. 

I have argued for many years that the Council should collate all the statistics they hold and calculate and publish 'added value' results alongside the 'traditional' league tables. I am convinced that these results would paint a different story. 

The so called good and bad exam results correlate with income levels. School's with pupils with a low proportion of parents living in poverty, as indicated by the proportion of pupils receiving free school meals, have more pupils passing SQA exams. Conversely, school's that have a high proportion of their pupils entitled to free school meals record fewer passes at Higher level.

I think it is time the Council examined their For Fairness in Dundee strategy and came forward with measures that will help break the link between the level of income and the level of school performance.

Link to Dundee City School's Higher Examination Results
Link to the Scottish Schools Online website to read the full results for each local authority school in Scotland.

Baldragon Academy Christmas Concert

Click on image to enlarge

On Thursday I attended the Baldragon Academy Christmas Concert. This was an entertaining showcase for the outstanding quality and range of musical talent in the school.

The fifteen items included a wide variety of musical styles. Amongst the singing, I particularly enjoyed the Vocal Ensemble's rendition of the carol, 'By Candlelight'; the Soul Band performing 'All I want for Christmas is You' and Erin Clancy solo singing of a classical Italian aria, 'Se tu m'ami'. The string playing was also varied and impressive from a Ukelele band to a String Ensemble. There were also creditable performances from the School Orchestra, the Percussion Ensemble, a Percussion soloist, a piano duet and a solo Saxophonist.

The Music Department in Baldragon Academy and the visiting instrumental teachers are to be congratulated for nurturing and coaching so many young musicians.

Free Tickets for Preview of Bob Servant Independent BBC TV Comedy Series Thurs 10 Jan 2012 Gardyne Theatre

Broughty Ferry’s infamous son, Bob Servant, has made it onto TV screens and to celebrate there will be an exclusive preview screening on January 10th 2013 at The Gardyne Theatre.

Be amongst the first to see Brian Cox bring Bob to life in the first two episodes of Bob Servant Independent, BBC Scotland’s new series for BBC Four. The evening will be hosted by broadcaster Janice Forsyth and will include a Q&A session with actor Jonathan Watson, who plays Bob’s long suffering campaign manager, author Neil Forsyth and producer Owen Bell.

Tickets are free and are available from the Dundee City Box Office from Thursday December 20th. Either in person (City Square or Gardyne Theatre Box Office) or online at www.dundeebox.co.uk

Terms & Conditions: Over 18’s. Maximum 2 tickets per application. 
Doors open 6.15pm. Screening begins 7.00pm

RNLI Carol Concert 2012 St James Church Broughty Ferry

Last night I attended the annual Lifeboat Carol Service at St James Church. I arrived a few minutes late after coming directly from attending the Development Quality meeting in the Council Committee Rooms. 

The Church was packed with every seat taken, so I stood at the back and enjoyed the communal singing and the Christmas songs sung by children from the Forthill Primary School Choir.

As well as celebrating Christmas, it's a time to remember our brave and selfless Broughty Ferry lifeboat crew who go out in all weathers to rescue those in peril on the seas. We finished with a rousing singing of 'Eternal Father, Strong to Save'.

The tea and mince pies in the Church Hall afterwards were much appreciated.

Call for Action to Secure a Sale of the Former Eastern Primary School on Whinny Brae

The former Eastern Primary School Site is still unsold 18 months after it was vacated. The old school building has been marketed as as suitable for conversion into luxury flats with a short row of new build terraced houses fronting onto Rowanbank Gardens. Apart from a flashy sales brochure, there is apparently no progress to report about a sale. This is giving rise to concern among residents that the building will deteriorate and the site will become an eyesore. This would be a poor outcome because the buildings are listed and nationally important for their construction and architectural appearance. 

The lack of a sale is partly a matter of the depressed state of the housing market and partly about the asking price. If the Council want to secure a sale, they will need to be more realistic and, like many property owners are having to do, they should consider cutting the price. 

If they keep hanging out for the original cash amount they thought the sale would raise, they risk wasting council tax payers money on site security and interest payments on loans for other developments that would have otherwise been paid for by the capital receipt from the sale of the former Eastern Primary School buildings. If the site were worth £1 million, the cost of borrowing that amount might be as much as £50,000 per year. 

I have contacted the Director and Convener of City Development to ask that they review the Council strategy on the sale of this site.

Sunday Rail Services Calling at Broughty Ferry Begin with the 10:34 Train to Glasgow

Last Sunday rail services resumed at Broughty Ferry station after a gap of more than twenty years. 

As part to the new timetable effective from 9 December 2012, there are seven trains running every Sunday, four via Dundee and three heading north to Aberdeen. 

The first train of every Sunday is the 10:34 train via Dundee to Glasgow. As the visual display screen spells out, this is the train calls at Dundee, Perth, Gleneagles, Dunblane, Stirling and Glasgow Queen Street.

The Sunday timetable is as follows:

Down Platform - trains via Dundee

• 10:34 to Glasgow calling at Dundee, Perth, Gleneagles, Dunblane, Stirling and Glasgow Queen Street
• 14:00 to Edinburgh calling at Dundee, Leuchars, Kirkcaldy, Inverkeithing Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley
• 20:13 to Edinburgh calling at Dundee, Leuchars, Kirkcaldy, Inverkeithing Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley
• 23:28 to Perth calling at Dundee, Invergowrie and Perth

Up Platform - trains towards Aberdeen

• 11:18 to Aberdeen calling atdd Cdarnoustie, Arbroath, Montrose, Laurencekirk, Stonehaven and Aberdeen
• 17:28 to Aberdeen calling at Carnoustie, Arbroath, Montrose, Stonehaven and Aberdeen
• 22:28 to Aberdeen, Calling at Arbroath, Montrose, Stonehaven, Portlethan and Aberdeen

Read or download the new timetable for trains to and from the Ferry