Evening Classes at Grove Academy 2009/10 - enrolment night Mon 31 August

The new programme of evening classes organised by Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) will commence on Monday 14 September 2009 at Grove Academy. Public enrolment will be held at Grove Academy on Monday 31 August 2009 at 7pm-8.30pm via the entrance on Seafield Road. Check out the full programme of classes.

More Details South Marketgait, East Dock St & Broughty Ferry Rd reconstruction beginning 8 September 2009

Journeys between Broughty Ferry and Dundee city centre will be subject to delays from 8 September as South Marketgait, East Dock St & Broughty Ferry Rd (up to Greendykes) is reconstructed. Diversions will be in place but we should anticipate longer journey times.
For maps and full details, download/view the BEAR Scotland leaflet.

Camphill Road B/ferry - Proposed Temporary Road Closure to Facilitate Pavement Resurfacing

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating footway resurfacing works. The Order is expected to be in force for four weeks from 9 September 2009. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in that section of Camphill Road between Whinny Brae and Bughties Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

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

An alternative route is available via Queen Street / Monifieth Road / Reres Road / Bughties Road.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to Mark Cobb, Network Management Team, Planning and Transportation Department, Tayside House, Crichton Street, Dundee, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.

If you have any queries please contact Mr Cobb on 433082.

Significant Case Review: Brandon Lee Muir

Following the death of Brandon Muir, those charged with leading and managing child protection services in Dundee commissioned two separate reviews. A significant case review was commissioned in line with national guidance to examine the particular circumstances surrounding the child protection issues, and the role of the various authorities involved. Separately, an independent review was commissioned by the Chief Officers Group to ensure validation of the Significant Case Review, but also to address wider issues which may emerge, not necessarily related to the death of Brandon.

The two Reports were published on Wednesday 19 August.
Significant Case Review: Brandon Lee Muir
I attended the briefing for elected members with the two authors of the jointly published reports.

Summary of Joint Report Findings

4 The Significant Case Review concludes that the violence of Robert Cunningham towards Brandon Muir could not have been predicted. In the period of less than three weeks that Cunningham became part of the family grouping with Heather Boyd and her two children, child protection staff had quickly embarked on a process of assessment and information gathering which would have led to a Case Conference on 18th March 2008.

5 In that time, both social work and health staff had seen Heather Boyd, Robert Cunningham and the children on a number of occasions, visited the home, and Heather had cooperated with a medical examination on Brandon in relation to a query about his gait.

6 The focus of attention in preparation for the Case Conference centred more on the well being of the children against the context of concern about Heather Boyd’s wider parenting skills and the home environment, rather than the threat of violence from Robert Cunningham.

7 The Significant Case Review explored in considerable detail the information known to the authorities about Heather Boyd and her children, and about Robert Cunningham. The authorities had sought to offer Heather Boyd support in her parenting role. She never utilised this to any great degree, preferring to make use of the support offered her by her parents. While she had come to the
notice of the police in the past, nothing was known of her activities in prostitution, and she had no recorded history of drug misuse. Experienced staff found no evidence of either a chaotic household or lifestyle that suggested she had a dependence on substances.

8 Both health visiting and social work staff consistently stated that Heather and her children did not stand out as giving great cause for concern. Whilst there were ongoing concerns, these never reached a threshold which prompted consideration of more formal intervention until shortly before Brandon’s death.

9 Robert Cunningham had also come to the previous attention of the police, but more significantly in this case he was known to the police, social work services and to the Children’s Reporter through his alleged involvement in domestic violence towards a previous partner.

10 The Significant Case Review explains what has changed in Dundee since the death of Brandon Muir, and where appropriate reference is also made to the Improvement Plan which has been developed in response to the recent HMIE joint inspection.

11 However, in examining the particular circumstances of the case, the two reviews identified a number of issues which have a continuing consequence for child protection policy and practice in Dundee, and some of which are of wider national interest.

Warning - Roadworks East Dock Street from 8 September for 10 weeks

Transport Scotland and Dundee City Council have formed a partnership to deliver an improvement Project comprising resurfacing and reconstruction of East Dock Street; installation of traffic signals to the Trades Lane/City Quay junction with South Marketgait; and construction of Rising Main Chambers in Trades Lane as part of the future Flood Prevention Scheme.

These works are due to start on Tuesday 8 th September for a period of 10 weeks.

What's Coming up at The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership?

The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership (FLCPP) will be meeting on Thursday 27 August at 17:30. If there is an item on the agenda (see below) which interests you, you may either attend the meeting and/or ask me to convey your comments on a specific issue.
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The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership

Meeting

Thursday 27 August 2009 in Panmurefield Village Church Hall

at 5.00 p.m. for buffet with a 5.30 p.m. start

A G E N D A

1. Welcome and Apologies

2. Previous Minute and Matters Arising

3. New Developments

- Home Insulation Scheme - Heather McQuillan (Housing Dept)

- Sandy Park - Councillor Rod Wallace

- Grove Office Redevelopment

4. Local Community Plan Update

-Castle Green Master Plan Review

- Development Trust

- PRC Cluster Consultation

- Community Plan Monitoring Document

- Impact Assessment Exercise

5. Department/Agency/Organisation Update

6. Open Forum On Community Issues

7. A.O.C.B.

(a) LCPP Review

(b) Cycle Parking in Central Broughty Ferry (Councillor Laurie Bidwell)

8. Date, Time and Venue for Next Meeting

V & A In Dundee – Comments by Laurie Bidwell, Labour Education Spokesperson on Dundee City Council

"The announcement this morning progressing the development of the Victoria & Albert Museum offshoot in Dundee is most welcome. Not only will this bring economic and cultural benefits to Dundee but it will also be very positive for art education in our city. This museum and art gallery will bring national and international exhibitions to Dundee which will make these much more accessible for our school pupils and their teachers. This will help to inspire more of our pupils to engage in the arts and crafts and aspire to work in the related creative industries. This is also very positive news for Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. This will reinforce their place as one of the top six research led Art and Design higher education institutions in the UK."

Commenting on the Publication of Statistics on Violent Incidents in Dundee Schools Involving Parents

“I am disappointed to hear that that three violent incidents reported in Dundee schools during April and May 2009 involved parents and carers because three is too many. Parents and carers should be backing up the authority of our schools and setting a good example to their children. They should not be resorting to behaviour that undermines school discipline and threatens the health and safety of teachers and other staff. We should however get this in proportion and acknowledge that this a small minority of parents and carers. Most parents support the work of their children's schools. They are conscious of the need to model appropriate behaviour to their children by resolving disputes constructively.”

Car Ditched in East Home Street as Temporary Bridge over Pavement Trench Collapses

Professor Steve Partridge got a shock when he was parking his car in his garage off East Home Street in Broughty Ferry on Wednesday evening. As he carefully drove on plastic bridging sheets over the trench dug by Tayside Contracts, the side of the trench gave way and the offside front wheel of his car became stuck in the trench. Careful jacking by a garage he called out helped to extricate the car.

He said,

“While being delighted that the pavement has been adopted, the minor disruption to daily routine has now turned serious. The trench that has been dug in preparation for the installation of the kerbs means that either we risk driving over inadequate plastic ramps and our cars falling in (as happened to me this evening), or leaving our cars on the street in direct contravention to our insurance companies' instruction.

Either adequate ramps of greater length should be supplied, or the trench should be filled in until the delivery of the radius kerbs, which have clearly been holding up the work. I should also like to know from Tayside Contracts if they will compensate me for the garage callout and if the underside of my car has been damaged?”

Councillor Laurie Bidwell, who was also called to the scene said,

“I think residents with garages accessed on the south side of East Home Street will be very nervous about crossing this trench. Like Mr Partridge, I think they will want to know when the pavement upgrading will be completed on their side of the street so that they can access their homes and garages easily and safely.”

Grove Academy Road Safety & Parking Issues - Disappointing Response from Councillor Guild

Ferry Councillor, Laurie BidweIl said:
"In statement published in the Courier on Monday 22 June 2009,
http://lauriebidwell.blogspot.com/2009/06/potential-road-safety-dangers-and.html
I called for reassurance by Mike Galloway, Director of Transport & Planning, that the traffic planning for the new Grove Academy and its recreational facilities for the wider public is not undertaken in isolation from the traffic and transport planning for the 300 plus Council staff being relocated to converted offices in the Old Grove six months later. I continue to think that the public want to know that the necessary road safety measures will be in place before the new school site becomes operational. It’s absolutely crucial that we don’t wait for a serious injury to one of our pupils at the school to trigger traffic management changes that can surely be anticipated.

Ken Guild's, response published in the Courier on Wednesday 24 June 2009 proposed two measures:
1. Extending the 20 mph zone for the school and
2. Individual travel plans for the 300 plus Social Work and Education staff being transferred to the offices in the Old Grove building.

This is deeply disappointing and ignores the essence of what I requested. In fact his response illustrates for me the limited and isolated road safety and traffic planning which is being conducted for these two side by side major developments and which he seems prepared to go along with. Why, for example, is the individual traffic planning for the 300 plus social work and education staff moving into the offices in the Old Grove not being extended to the all of the staff of Grove Academy? The latter details should be part of an elaborated Travel Plan for the new school. Furthermore, is extending the 20 mph zone for the school the only specific road safety measure he thinks is necessary? I was expecting a more considered road safety and traffic management optional appraisal to be undertaken covering both of these important developments on the Grove campus."

Traffic Restrictions Gray Street (between Beach Crescent and King Street) Wed 15 July 2009

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 pumping station maintenance works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Gray Street (between Beach Crescent and King Street), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Wednesday 15 July 2009 for one working day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

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

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

Mike P Galloway
Director of Planning and Transportation
Dundee City Council

Traffic Restrictions Claypotts Road Sat 27 & Sun 28 June 2009

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 Claypotts Road (between West Queen Street and Albert Road), Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Saturday 27 June 2009 for 2 days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via West Queen Street/Victoria Road/Strathern Road.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

Mike P Galloway
Director of Planning and Transportation
Dundee City Council

Harris Academy Should be Number One School Building Priority in Dundee

On Wednesday 17 June, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Fiona Hyslop, announced a national school building programme supported by £800 million of Scottish Government funding to be shared by all 32 local authorities in Scotland .

Labour Education Spokesperson on the City Council, Laurie Bidwell said,

"The SNP promised a lion and have unveiled a mouse! In the SNP election manifesto in May 2007 they claimed they would 'match Labour's school building programme brick for brick'. This announcement will mean the SNP government will not commission and deliver one new school before the next Holyrood election in May 2011. In addition its scale will probably only help to deliver (by way of 75% national funding) one new secondary school in Dundee . In the Labour led programme in Dundee we delivered two new secondary schools (St Paul's and Grove Academies) and six new Primary Schools via a PPP project worth £90 million (£120 million at 2011 prices). In addition, our administration on the city council, commissioned five new primary schools Whitfield, West End (2) and Lochee-Charleston (2) and the replacement for Kingspark School using prudential borrowing. By any measure, the SNP offering falls very far short of matching our impressive school building programme.

Under my watch, as Education Convenor, a feasibility study was undertaken to rebuild or refurbish Harris Academy . That was recently completed and shared with the Head Teacher and Parent Council. The various strategies have price tags starting at about £20 million. Will SNP Education Convener Liz Fordyce now confirm that Harris Academy will be her number one priority on the Council's shopping list?"

Councillor Richard McCready said,
"Harris Academy is crying out for investment. I urge the City Council to make the case for investment in the Harris to the Scottish Government. People in the West End know that Harris Academy is a good school they also realise that it needs to be modernised. Action is required now."

Potential Road Safety Dangers and Traffic Chaos When New Grove Academy and Council Offices Open

Saturday 20 June 2009

Claypotts Road could be grid locked and an accident black spot when the new Grove Academy is complete at the turn of the year and 300+ council staff move into converted offices in the old Grove buildings.

Ferry Councillor Laurie Bidwell warns,
“The new main entrance to Grove Academy, with access to the new school car park, will move into Claypotts Road adjacent to the junctions with Davidson Street and Ballinard Gardens. In addition to drop offs and teachers and visitors coming and going, these same parking spaces will be in demand by the public using the swimming pool and sports halls in the evenings and at weekends. With restricted sight lines because of the bend in Claypotts Road and fast flowing traffic, many manoeuvres in and out of the school car park, especially right turns, will be potentially hazardous.

The number of road traffic movements in the street will also be increased very significantly by the 300 plus City Council staff being moved into the converted offices in the Old Grove buildings. At peak times, especially at the beginning of the school and working day, there may be gridlock in Claypotts Road as school and council staff as well as pupils and their parents try to navigate the Claypotts Road bottle neck between Queen Street and Strathern Road.

Given the shortage of parking places in the Old Grove car park and only two thirds planned provision of car parking spaces for staff at the new Grove Academy, residents anticipating some relief when the building work finishes will doubtless find more parking connected with the school and the council offices spilling over into their surrounding streets. “

Councillor Laurie Bidwell said:
“Ferry residents need to be reassured by a statement from Mike Galloway, Director of Transport and Planning, that the traffic planning for the new school and its recreational facilities for the wider public is not undertaken in isolation from the traffic and transport planning for the 300 plus Council staff being relocated in the Old Grove six months later. Furthermore, I think the public want to know that the necessary road safety measures will be in place before the new school site becomes operational. It’s absolutely crucial that we don’t wait for a serious injury to one of our pupils at the school to trigger traffic management changes that can surely be anticipated.”