18/08/2013
17/08/2013
Councillor Laurie Bidwell Launching New Pattern of Surgeries for the Coming Year
The Dates and times of my Surgeries for Consituents with effect from Monday 12 August 2013 are as follows:Forthill Sheltered Housing Complex
(discontinued from August 2015)
3a Forthill Drive
Tuesdays
3.15pm - 3.45pm
(except school holidays)
Barnhill Community Centre
(discontinued from August 2015)
Campfield Square
Tuesdays
5.00pm - 5.20pm
(except school holidays)
Broughty Ferry Library
Queen Street
Tuesdays
5.30pm - 6.00pm (except school holidays)
Or Request a Home Visit
Telephone
Council Office 01382 434110 Home 01382 738566
Email laurie.bidwell@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/councillorlauriebidwell
16/08/2013
BERA Launch their Programme of Evening Classes for the Autumn Term 2013
Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) have just launched their programme of Evening Classes for September to November 2013.Once again BERA's autumn programme includes some firm favourites such as Zumba and Spanish and some entirely new classes such as the Great Broughty Bake Off.
A printed copy of BERA's programme of classes can be obtained from a number of outlets in Broughty Ferry including the Library. In addition, the programme is available online to read or download.
All classes run from week beginning Monday 9 September.
Potential adult students can either book their place in a class by sending off a postal application or by attending the Enrolment night at Grove Academy on Monday 26 August 2013 beginning at 6:30 pm.
Link to BERA website Find them on Facebook
Carry on learning.
15/08/2013
Public Agenda for Next Meeting of The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership, Thurs 15 August 5:30 pm
THURSDAY 15 AUGUST 2013 AT 5.30 P.M.
FORTHILL SHELTERED HOUSING COMPLEX
3A Forthill Drive, Broughty Ferry
Local Community Planning Partnerships have been established in each Dundee City Council Ward since 2008. The main purpose of these bodies 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. PRESENTATION – GROVE ACADEMY – COLUMBA 1400
3.PREVIOUS MINUTE AND MATTERS ARISING
3.1 2013 project
3.2 Welfare Reform
3.3 Road Safety – Grove / Eastern
3.4 Tourism sub group
4. COMMUNITY PLAN 2012-2017 UPDATE
5.DEPARTMENT/AGENCY/ORGANISATION UPDATE
6.COMMUNITY ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC
7.DATE OF NEXT MEETING
14th November 2013 at 5.30 pm, Panmurefield Village. (TBC)
Carole Jenkins, Communities Officer
Tel: 01382 436929
14/08/2013
Official Statistics Show 187 Unemployed in Broughty Ferry are in Receipt of Job Seeker's Allowance
Yesterday, the July 2013 UK Government statistics for unemployment were released.
Based on the numbers in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance the figures for The Ferry are as follows:
A total of 187 people in The Ferry ward were claiming Job Seekers Allowance out of work benefit in the latest month (July) , according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
When the September count is released we should unfortunately expect to see a rise as unemployed graduates and school leavers are eligible to claim Job Seeker's Allowance.
The real number of unemployed people is likely to be higher than this as the more accurate model-based figures from the ONS put the latest available unemployment rate for Dundee as a whole at just over 10 per cent (for the period April 2012- March 2013) which is in excess of the percentage measured by claimants of Job Seekers' Allowance. .
Unemployment inflicts misery on families and households as it usually leads to a drastic reduction in household income and thereby narrows the social contacts that are necessary to maintain a decent family life.
Each person who is unemployed is 100 per cent unemployed and the older that he or she is, the less likely they are to find further employment, which merely adds to the demoralization that unemployment produces.
The unused skills and abilities of the unemployed also represent a waste of potential economic activity that could benefit both the national and the local economy.
Commenting On the Approval of the V and A at Dundee Planning Application
The Committee papers described the application as follows:
1.1 The proposal under consideration seeks full planning permission for the construction of the V and A at Dundee museum building and extension to Riverside Walk. As part of the enabling works for the proposed V and A at Dundee site the existing Craig Harbour is to be infilled.
1.2 V and A at Dundee is a proposal for an international centre of design for Scotland. It will celebrate Scotland’s historic importance in design and host major exhibitions of international design that will appeal to the widest public and help develop understanding of our own and others’ cultural heritage. V and A at Dundee project will provide dedicated exhibition space, interpretation and a range of activities that will allow diverse audiences to see, explore, understand and be inspired by creative evolution and their design heritage, in a way that makes it physically and intellectually accessible.
1.3 The proposal is part of the Dundee Waterfront Development Masterplan which has been developed and is being implemented by the Dundee Waterfront Project (a public sector partnership between Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise). The master plan includes the redevelopment of the Railway Station, demolition of the Olympia Leisure Centre and Tayside House along with the reshaping of the current traffic road layout to enhance the relationship between Dundee City Centre and the River Tay.
1.4 The application site measures approximately 1.2774 hectares and will involve the provision of a 3 storey structure with a total foot area of 8,445m2 and overall approximate height of 18.3m (see figures 1 and 2). The Kengo Kuma proposal incorporates a building of international design significance. The internal and external walling is to be constructed in reconstituted stone and concrete to compliment the traditional construction materials used in Dundee.
This approval is clearly an important milestone in the redevelopment of the waterfront in Dundee with immense significance for the city and wider region.
In the period running up to the opening of the V and A at Dundee, there is an enormous amount of enabling work to be undertaken so that Dundee and Broughty Ferry can provide a positive experience for the many tens of thousands of additional visitors that will be attracted to the V and A in our city.
Following My Complaints, Scottish Water Respond to Leaks from the Sewers on Broughty Ferry Stony Beach
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| Leaking foul water on the Stony Beach beneath Douglas Terrace Click on image to enlarge |
I had observed and photographed foul water leaking onto the beach at multiple locations in the space of two hundred metres.
I also let Scottish Water know that, on a day without much wind to disperse the odour, the smell was lingering and very unpleasant. I had received complaints about this from constituents.
I think this is a health hazard, it's certainly unpleasant for residents and visitors and completely unacceptable.
Furthermore, the resultant water pollution also threatens to undermine the work to help Broughty Ferry sandy beach regain it's Blue Flag.
Over more than two years I have been writing to Scottish Water about these issues. Scottish Water responding by sending out more squads of work people that pour concrete onto the beach is clearly not working.
While I appealed for these multiple sources of pollution to be contained and the leaks repaired, I also appealed to Scottish Water to bring forward their overdue plans to upgrade the sewerage system at this point. Last October their engineers predicted they would bring forward a scheme in 6-8 months. Nine months later I know many of my constituents think it's time for delivery.
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| Scottish Water Engineer inspecting the leaks Click on image to enlarge |
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| Temporary additional pump in action Click on image to enlarge |
Following the success of the additional pumping, a new seal will be installed at the Douglas Terrace leak location. Veolia Water will continue to work over this weekend to complete the work.
Also, once the level in the system has been drawn down, Veolia Water will need to take access to he Pumping Station to inspect all below ground assets and ensure optimum operation going forward. The station has worked effectively for a number of years and we will restore this level of performance.
Major works will be required at the walkway leak location, entailing demolition and reconstruction of an underground chamber. This will remove the leak risk and reinstate the beach to its former condition. Veolia Water have been instructed to undertake these works but a contractor has yet to be appointed. We will provide a further update in advance of these works.'
I am glad that Scottish Water admit that they have two linked problems; the leaking underground vessel on the beach beneath the walkway and pumps that are not working properly at the West Ferry Pumping Station. I am sure residents will be relieved when these long term repairs are in place. They will look forward to a return to the peace and quiet and fresh air they deserve. I think members of the Beach Management Group will be pleased when these persistent leaks are fixed and are not undermining their efforts for Broughty Ferry to regain the Blue Flag for our sandy beach.
13/08/2013
Contractor Urged to Remove Construction Debris from Grassy Beach
In July the slipways on Grassy Beach were resurfaced. Unfortunately the contractors seem to have forgotten to remove all their building materials and equipment. This heap of planks, ladders and a metal fencing panel has been left on the beach.
I have emailed The contractors to ask them to remove what I assume is their residual 'stuff' inadvertently left on site after they removed most of their equipment a few weeks ago.
11/08/2013
New Road Signs at Forthill Primary School Now in the Right Location
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| Road signs in wrong location Click on image to enlarge |
This road safety measure was introduced to help improve the safety for children outside the school in the mornings and and afternoons.
On Thursday, I saw that the signs had indeed been erected but disappointed that they were in the wrong location - see above. I took a photograph and emailed it to the Transportation Department. Give them their due, they reacted very promptly and instructed the contractor to go out again, as a matter of urgency, and put up the signs in the right place.
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| New road signs now relocated Click on image to enlarge |
I trust that parents and carers will respect the new traffic restrictions when they are dropping off and picking up their children when new school term starts on Tuesday.
10/08/2013
Overhanging Shrubs Obstructing Pavement in Nursery Road
It is clearly a seasonal issue as screening shrubs put on growth which extends over boundary walls and fences. On the north side of Nursery Road, I have noticed that many of the properties with overhanging shrubs have their entrances on Morlich Gardens and Lochalsh Street that run in parallel with Nursery Road. In these circumstances the householders may easily miss noticing that their shrubs are obstructing the pavement beyond the boundaries of the properties.
I have reported this to the Environment Department and asked them to contact the householders concerned to ask them to cut back the offending shrubs.
09/08/2013
Dundee Rep Performance at Broughty Castle Sunday 4 August 2013
As part of the Blue Skies Dundee Festival, Dundee Rep came to Broughty Ferry on Sunday night and performed within the Castle walls.
They entertained an appreciative audience with a rehearsed reading of Little Eagles by Rona Munro. The play celebrates the work of the pioneer head of the Soviet Space Programme, Sergei Pavlovich Korolyov. Before his death he was often referred to only as "Chief Designer", because his name and his pivotal role in the Soviet space program was a state secret. Only after his death was he publicly acknowledged as the lead man behind the early Soviet successes in space.
For those of us who can remember news about the launching of the first Sputnik in 1957 and the first man in space, Yuri Gargarin, this play provided a fascinating set of insights. But as the the play's author admitted, she had to use her imagination to fill in some of the blanks in Korolyov's history which has been shrouded by secrecy.
The Company all played well with a stand out performance from Lewis Howden as Korolyov. The sound engineers also deserve a special mention because they ensured that extraneous noise from the wind did not drown out the dialog.
The Castle was an inspired choice for such a performance; with the Tower as a backdrop silhouetted against the night sky, one could easily be dramatically transported to the launch site of the Sputnik. Thanks to Blue Skies for an entertaining night out on our doorstep.
It was truly some Blue Sky thinking that led to the unique opportunity to attend a performance by Dundee Rep at Broughty Ferry Castle; most probably the first ever performance by Dundee Rep in The Ferry and the first professional outdoor performance of a play at Broughty Castle. I hope it won't be too long before Ferry folk can experience the like of this again.
08/08/2013
Call for Building Work at Barnhill Primary School to be Complete Before Pupils Return Next Week
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| Click on image to enlarge |
Over the six week summer holiday, the temporary classroom that houses the Nursery Class was supposed to have been moved from its site close to the front entrance to a new location at the other side of the school. When I visited on Monday evening, I had expected to see the job done or merely the finishing touches to be completed. Unfortunately the site preparation for the relocated hut was still being undertaken and the Nursery Hut hadn't budged from its original location. The school looked like a building site with the playground on the Abercromby Street side of the school fenced off - see photograph.
Apart from the temporary classroom being moved to its new location, services will need to be connected, there are access ramps to fit, external play equipment to be moved, secured and fenced off all before the Care Inspectorate are called in to inspect and approve the relocated nursery unit."
I contacted the Director of Education to pass on my observations and seeking a reassurance that the re-located Nursery will be ready to welcome its young pupils next week and the school site ready for its staff and pupils.
On Tuesday morning, I was relieved to hear from the Director that the Nursery Unit move had been rescheduled. It will now be moved to its new location during the October holiday. It still looks like it will be a challenge to get the playgrounds and the external areas around the school tidied up before the beginning of term.
When members of the Parent Council were briefed about the extension of their School earlier this year, they were assured that the work would be carefully scheduled and monitored to ensure that disruption to the teaching and learning would be minimised. This does not appear to be the start that they were promised.
07/08/2013
Road Safety Improvements in Claypotts Road Outside Grove Academy
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| The new bus stop for Grove Academy Click on image to enlarge |
The road works comprised a complete resurfacing of Claypotts Road from the junction with Ferndale Drive, past the main front entrance of Grove Academy right down to the junction with Queen Street and West Queen Street at the Occidental traffic lights.
In addition, a number of road safety measures have been introduced including:
- Moving the bus stops from a position close to the main entrance to Grove and its vehicular entrance to new positions close to the pedestrian only entrance further down Claypotts Road;
- Introduction of a traffic island in Claypotts Road close to the new bus stops to prevent vehicles overtaking the buses dropping off and picking up passengers and
- Revised and redrawn traffic restrictions including yellow lines.
The Grove Academy and Eastern Primary School Parent Councils, the Broughty Ferry Community Council were all consulted about these proposals as were the four Councillors for Broughty Ferry.
When I had a site visit before the road re-opened, I voiced some concerns to Traffic Engineers that the new traffic island, which seemed to have been erected in the wrong location. I was concerned that it was located adjacent to the kerbside fence outside the pedestrian access to Grove Academy. The Traffic Engineers confirmed that this traffic island was being constructed in the location they had planned. It was positioned to stop overtaking of stationery buses (see picture above) but not positioned to facilitate pedestrians crossing at that point.
I first raised concerns about the traffic arrangements in Claypotts Road in 2009 before the opening of New Grove Academy.
I trust that these new arrangements will be used appropriately by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and thereby contribute to enhanced road safety in the vicinity of Grove Academy and Eastern Primary School.
I first raised concerns about the traffic arrangements in Claypotts Road in 2009 before the opening of New Grove Academy.
I trust that these new arrangements will be used appropriately by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and thereby contribute to enhanced road safety in the vicinity of Grove Academy and Eastern Primary School.
06/08/2013
Commenting on SQA Exam Results Tues 6 August 2013
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 Andy Murray's success at Wimbledon this summer, this will not be a flash in the pan but 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. UCAS Clearing 2013 opens today http://www.ucas.com
Later this week or next, analyses will 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. I shall particularly want to find out about the Higher Maths results as there were worrying claims earlier this year that the standard had been reduced. But for today, the focus should be on celebrating the positive results of our pupils who deserve their day enjoying their successes; their equivalent of a victory in a Wimbledon final.
Well done!
Well done!
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