Commenting on the Operational Difficulties in the Dundee Co-ordinated Anti-crime Network (DUN.CA.N.)

The revelations in the Courier on Wednesday 11 June about regular staff shortages in the Dundee Co-ordinated Anti-crime Network (DUN.CA.N.) are very alarming.  It is clear that chronic shortages of Police Scotland civilian staff have impacted negatively on the effectiveness of this service. As a result, the 7x24 CCTV coverage in the city centre has been undermined. In addition, a lack of intelligence sharing was not just been a one off but a regular occurrence. No wonder some of the city centre traders and businesses are quetioning whether their subscriptions to DUN.CA.N is money well spent.

In the report to the Council's Policy and Resources Committee (Police, Fire and Community Safety) on Monday night we received a report about the Community Safety Hub and were asked to approve the inclusion of the Dundee Co-ordinated Anti-crime Network as part of the Hub. In that report from the Chief Executive there was no mention of these operational weaknesses caused by significant reductions in the complement of Police Scotland non-uniformed staff. The report did draw attention to financial savings gained and operational improvements achieved in co-locating Police Scotland and Council staff concerned with community safety but contained no misgivings about cuts having gone too far.

Clearly the scale of the SNP government's imposed budget cuts on Policing are already having a very negative effect in our city centre streets and businesses. These latest revelations demonstrate that the shedding of many non-uniformed Police staff by Police Scotland is undermining the effectiveness of policing of our city centre. We can't allow this to continue or the positive achievements over a number of years will be lost. 

I have asked the Chief Executive to intervene with our partners in Police Scotland. I have also sought reassurance from him that the Council's 'efficiency savings' that impact on the Dundee Co-ordinated Anti-crime Network are not a contributory factor to the operational shortcomings that have been widely reported in the press.

Baldragon Academy Pupils and Staff Entertain With Hairspray - The Musical

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Last night I enjoyed a very entertaining and accomplished performance of Hairpsray the musical by the pupils and staff of Baldragon Academy.

Set in Baltimore in the early 1960s, the singing and dancing had me tapping my feet to the musical score, which was reminiscent of Motown rhythm and blues. 

The pupils, who were joined on stage by several of their teachers, sang and danced their hearts out.  

Produced and directed by staff from the outstanding Music Department, Baldragon Academy has staged another school show of which it should be proud.

This performance of "Hairspray is as sweet as a show can be without promoting tooth decay."

Catch this show if you can with two more performances on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 June 2014. Tickets @ £7 from the school.
telephone: 01382 436170 email: baldragon@dundeecity.gov.uk

Unfortunate Timing of Maintenance of Wastewater Pumping Station and Storage Tank Beneath Car Park at Bferry Beach

On Thursday 5 June 2014, Scottish Water circulated an email advising that from Sunday 8 June they would be undertaking some major maintenance work on the wastewater pumping station and storage tank sitting below the car park at Broughty Ferry Beach. As the map show this is located below ground level in Windmill Car Park at the beginning of the Esplanade.

The pumping station and storage tank, which is invisible at ground level has an underlying structure which is around 26 metres in diameter and 10 meters deep. In the interests of protecting their staff, the public and the environment during this work and to maintain safe working areas and allow access for plant and equipment, they will set up 2 small compounds within the car park which will unfortunately restrict parking for a short period of time. Details are shown in the aeriel view above. 

Scottish Water wrote:"The work can be summarised as emptying, cleaning and maintaining the storage tank. The work will commence Sunday 8th June 2014 and is expected to take around 6-7 days to complete. The work won’t affect drainage of the Broughty Ferry sewer network and won’t cause any harm to the water environment. With open manhole covers and cleaning units being used, there may be some localised odour from time to time but this will be monitored and mitigated wherever possible. There will be some overnight working to empty the storage tank but this will be done using specialist low noise pumps." 

"We appreciate that this work will cause a short term disruption to the car park so are keen to let as many people and organisations know of the activity and that it is being carefully planned and managed. We are aware of the planning that goes into the Broughty Ferry Gala Week so are aiming to have all work completed as soon as possible. In addition to nearby residents, we have also advised Dundee City Council Ward Councillors, City Engineer, Roads, Parks & Leisure, Environmental Health and Beach Management teams. We have also notified SEPA, Broughty Ferry Community Council, Broughty Ferry Traders Association, Broughty Ferry Beach Management Group, Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association, a local fitness group who regularly use the beach and operators of the new tourist Land Train."

While Scottish Water are aware of the forthcoming Gala they do not seem to be aware that their major maintenance work will overlap with the official start of the bathing season on Saturday 14 June 2014 which will not be enhanced by what they euphemistically refer to as, "some localised odour".

If you require any further information then please call Scottish Water’s 24hr Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855 or email customer.services@scottishwater.co.uk

Balmossie Fire Station Inviting Folk to join them for the Big Lunch 11am-3pm Sunday 8 June 2014

Local Senior Officer for Scottish Fire and Rescue in Dundee Dave Stapley has announced that Balmossie Fire Station will be hosting a Big Lunch this coming weekend.

He said: "It’s an excellent and worthwhile initiative which encourages our communities to get closer together and it is also a fantastic opportunity for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to engage with members of the public in a positive, meaningful way.  We would encourage as many people from the local community to attend.”

Big Lunch events help build community bonds and represent a simple day of food, friendship and fun.

Broughty Ferry Beach Awarded Prestigious Resort Flag 2014 by Keep Scotland Beautiful

This morning, Keep Scotland Beautiful annnounced the 2014 list of 61 beaches in Scotland that had been judged to have met the standards for their Seaside Awards and once again Broughty Ferry beach is confirmed as having met the Resort Flag standard. In fact for over ten years, Broughty Ferry Beach has consistenly met this Resort Flag standard. According to Keep Scotland Beautiful:
"This award symbolises excellence in beach management and environmental best practice which ensures the maintenance of high standards so our beaches are clean, safer and sustainable for community use. Beaches are awarded either the Resort or Rural Seaside Award."

This award is in no small part due to the week in and week out collaborative work of all the partners involved in the Beach Management Group, especially the Environment Department of the City Council.

Scottish Beach Award Guide 2014

Temporary Closure of Fort Street from Brook Street to Queen Street on Monday 2 June 2014

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 loop cutting works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Fort Street (from Brook Street to Queen Street), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 2 June 2014 for one day.

A pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles will be available via Brook Street / Westfield Road / Queen Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433168

Commenting on Growing Population Pressures on School Places in Dundee

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The latest projection for population growth in Dundee over the next 25 years is good news for the economy of the city. It does however have a potential downside beacuse it will significantly increase pressure on school places. These government figures for Dundee published by the Council show a projected 20% + increase in the 0-15 population of the city by 2037.

The last report to the Education Committee about the demand for places and the capacity of  individual schools, has already identified that there are primary and secondary schools where demand either exceeds or is close to the places available in these schools. Craigowl Primary School in the Startmartine area is bursting at the seams and Barnhill, Eastern and Forthill Primary Schools and Grove Acdemy in The Ferry along with Morgan Academy in the Maryfield area are all working close to capacity.

In the light of new information about more sustained growth in the population of school and nursery age children, it's important that the Education Committee receive an update about how the City will respond to this long term challenge. We must avoid overcrowded schools or children not able to access their local primary and secondary schools.

Link to Population Projections for Dundee

Hasty Planning for Additional Nursery Places in Dundee

On Monday evening 19 May 2014, the Education Committee considered a report on the introduction of additional nursery places in Dundee for two year old children where both parents and carers are unemployed.

While welcoming this enhancement to access to nursery education in the City, I had some reservations about the lack of details in the written proposal. When this new development had first been inroduced at the meeting of the City Development Committee on 21 April, I made it clear that I thought that that proposal had got the cart before the horse. That report baldly proposed spending money on the conversion of school buildings to create the appropriate facilities for the extra under three year old nursery places. But that investment in buildings had been brought forward for approval three weeks before the policy paper apppeared at the Education Committee. When that paper eventually came to the May meeting of the Education Committthee, the report was short on crucial detail.

In Paragraph 4.4 of the report the list of proposed locations to focus the additional places was different from the list of premises approved by the Development Committee Meeting of 21 April 2014. Why had Longhaugh Primary School been dropped off the list of schools?  At both meetings when the Council had considered this matter a school has been dropped off the list. At the City Development Committee in April it was Park Place Primary School which was excluded from teh already circulated list. At the Education Committee, it was Longhaugh Primary School. The short timescale for implementation has meant that the preparations have cleary been rather makeshift, based on assumptions about parents and carers who are unemployed and who have children aged two and the optimum locations for the early learning centres in our city where extra nursery places should be best located.

As a result, I brought forward a motion to the Education Committee that did not obstruct the extra places being available in August this year but which callled for a report back in 2015 when the Education Committee could review what had happened in our nurseries during the 2014/15 and how the Council might need to adapt its policy and practice  for nursery care and learning in order to enhance the impact of this service. For example, the geography of the premises selected have we got that right? Additionally, is the offer of a nursery place for a rigid schedule of three and a bit hours for five days a week the most approriate for the young child and their parent/carer?

I was pleased the Education Convener accepted my ammendment without a vote.

Bannoch Rise - Temporary Road Closure During Road Resurfacing Work From Tuesday 27 May 2014

The Dundee City Council as Traffic Authority being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of carriageway resurfacing works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Bannoch Rise - at its northerly junction with Lawers Drive - Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Tuesday 27 May 2014 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained. Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Lawers Drive / Bannoch Rise.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

European Elections Today Thursday 22 May 2014 - Polling Stations Open Until 10pm

Today, 22 May 2014, is the day to cast your vote in the Elections to the European Parliament. Polling stations will be open until 10pm tonight.

In the UK voters will elect 73 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) of whom 6 MEPs will be from the Scotland Electoral Region.

The result of the Election cannot be announced until close of poll in all member states ie 9pm on Sunday 25 May.

The Regional Returning Officer has overall responsibility for the election but Local Returning Officers are responsible for the conduct of the poll in their local area. The Local Returning Officer for Dundee is the Chief Executive of Dundee City Council.

Ballot papers will be counted locally and the results sent to the Regional Returning Officer in Edinburgh who will then carry out the required calculations to determine the 6 Scottish MEP's. The result is likely to be announced on Monday 26 May.

Link to Scottish Labour Euro Election Video

Next Meeting of the Broughty Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership 5:30 pm Thursday 22 June 2014

The next meeting of The Ferry Community Planning Partnership will be held on Thursday 22 May at the Broughty Ferry Library on Queen Street, beginning at 5:30pm.

Local Community Planning Partnerships (LCPPs) have been established in each Dundee City Council Ward since 2008. 

The main purpose of these local planning partnerships is to ensure that Community Plans are devised and implemented in response to the locally identified needs in each Ward and to improve the co-ordination of Dundee City Council services with those of our other public and voluntary sector partners.

The meetings are open to members of the public where issues of community concern can be raised in relation to items on the agenda through the chair of meeting.

If you would like further information about the meeting or the Community Planning Partnership, please use the contact details shown below.

A G E N D A

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

2. PRESENTATIONS

ß Land Train – Scorpion Tyres

3. PREVIOUS MINUTE AND MATTERS ARISING

4. LCPP EVALUATION REVIEW AND FEEDBACK 

5. FUNDING ALLOCATION FOR BROUGHTY FERRY

6. COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED REPORT)

7. DEPARTMENT AGENCY OR ORGANISATION UPDATE

8 COMMUNITY ISSUED RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

9. DATES AND VENUES OF NEXT MEETING 

Thursday 21st August 2014 at Eastern Primary, Centenary Wing

Thursday 21st November 2014, venue to be confirmed.

Carole Jenkins, Communities Officercarole.jenkins@dundeecity.gov.uk  (01382) 436929

Broughty Ferry Heritage Walk Leaflet Published

Just before Easter, the Community Council announced the publication of the updated and extended Heritage Walk leaflet for The Ferry.

The sumptuous new leaflet in printed in colour and is available free from Broughty Ferry Library and many other outlets in The Ferry.

This heritage walking tour is mainly focused on central Broughty Ferry. The tour is divided into six sections, so that you can follow the entire route which might take more than a couple of hours or pick out a section or two that takes your interest.


The leaflet was revised and updated under the auspices of the Broughty Ferry Community Council. The text of the leaflet was written by local historian Nancy Davey. It has been published in hard copy by Dundee City Council. 

Click on this link to read the leaflet online 

My Councillor Expenses for 2013-14

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The Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 as amended, require the Council to keep a record of payments made to Elected Members (Councillors) and to publish the information for the preceding financial year (1 April to 31 March) by 1 June.

Above you will find a copy of my annual return for 2013-14. I was notified today by the City Council that this will circulated to the press and published on the Council's website very shortly. In the interests of transparency, I am also publishing it on my blog today.

You will see that I have taken the basic nationally agreed salary for Councillors of £16,395.96. In addition the council has supplied and paid for a mobile phone amounting to £135.26 throughout the year and £40 towards the cost of my home landline and internet. As you can see, I do not claim travel expenses for attending any community or council meetings in Dundee.

If you have any questions about my expenses please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.  You also have the right to inspect copies of any claims made by me or any other elected member at the City Council Offices.

Push the Boat Out - Free Sailing Taster - Grassy Beach Saturday 17 May 2014 11am-4pm

Push the Boat Out is a national weekend of sailing and windsurfing with open days taking place across the UK.

As part of the Push the Boat Out  in our city, Dundee Sailing Club are running an open day at their Club House on Grassy Beach in Broughty Ferry.

This is a free event which is suitable for adults and children(who must be accompanied by an adult). You will be free to see the Club facilities and boats, and get out onto the on Silvery Tay for a taste of dinghy sailing under the guidance of experienced Club sailors.

You will need to wear warm clothing that may get wet. Spares shoes are a must as your feet will get wet when boarding and leaving boats.

The club has a wide range of buoyancy aids & waterproofs. There are changing rooms & showers which you are welcome to use.

North Sea Pro Cricket at Forthill Sunday 18 and Monday 19 May 2014

Two great days of cricket are in store when matches are played at Forthill this Sunday and Monday (18/19th May 2014) as part of the new North Sea Pro Series competition.

Spectators are encouraged to come along to Forthill to support the Highlanders when they face the North Holland Hurricanes. 

Admission is free, and the BBQ and bar will be open.

Play starts at 3.30pm (T20) on Sunday 18 May and at 10.30am (50 overs) on Monday 19 May.

On Monday, if your are driving to the match, please take extra care approaching the ground as its situated next door to Forthill Primary School. 

Fresh from back-to-back victories over the Reivers at Arbroath, the Highlanders feature several players who started their cricket careers in the Strathmore & Perthshire Cricket Union such as Calvin Burnett, Craig Wallace, Matthew Parker, Aman Bailwal and Michael Leask.