Selling Dreams: a century of image making - VandA Public Lecture Thursday 6 December 2012 at 6pm

On Thursday 6 December 2012, Susanna Brown will give a lecture called "Selling Dreams: A Century of Image Making" beginning at 7pm at the Dalhousie Building at the University of Dundee. Susanna is the Curator of Photographs at the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London and has curated the exhibition of fashion photography which is currently on show at the McManus Galleries:

Selling Dreams: One Hundred Years of Fashion Photography

Free tickets available from: 
events@dundee.ac.uk and www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets
in person from Tower Building Reception at the University, or 
by calling 01382 385564 / 385108.

A free drinks reception will follow the event.

Citizenship Ceremony at City Council on Wednesday

On Wednesday afternoon, I was honoured to be invited to attend the citizenship ceremony of a friend and Broughty Ferry resident who was acquiring her British Citizenship.

The ceremony took place in the ornate setting of Committee Room One in the Council Offices in City Square. The ceremony was directed by a Registrar from the City Council who took the applicants through their oaths of allegiance and pledges to the United Kingdom (see below). Former Leader of the Council, Jill Shimi, was there in her new role as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the City.  In her role as Her Majesty the Queen's representative, she welcomed the applicants and individually presented them with their certificates and a commemorative medal from Dundee City Council.

The ceremony was concluded with the National Anthem.

It was truly a suitable occasion for individuals, their families and friends, to properly mark the acquisition of British Citizenship.

The oath is - I, [name], [swear by Almighty God] [do solemnly and truly declare and affirm] that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors according to law.

The pledge is - I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.

10.5% Fall in University Applications from Scottish Applicants

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UCAS, the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK, has just reported their latest application figures for courses starting in Autumn 2013. 

Up to mid-November there were were 145,000 applications, compared with 158,000 at the same point in 2011 and 182,000 in 2010. That works out at 13,000 fewer applications in the UK, which is a fall of 8% compared with the same point last year and these are apparently the lowest figures for at least six years.

Many commentators had anticipated a reduction in applications to Universities from students living in England because of the introduction of much higher Tuition Fees with many Universities charging the maximum of £9000 per year. While this is the case, this doesn't explain why the reduction in applications in Scotland, where the Scottish Government pays the student's tuition fees, is larger than in England.

Percentage Fall in Applications to UCAS #
Scotland  - 10.5%
UK           -  8.0%

Behind these statistics there are clearly many individual applicants in Scotland who are holding back from applying to University. This is a disturbing trend. It means that there are other factors, most probably economic which are putting off well qualified potential applicants from taking the next step to improve their qualifications. This trend is also likely to reduce the demand for places at our two Universities in the City and might lead to empty places and a loss of income to the Universities.

I think the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Mike Russell MSP needs to tell us what he is proposing to do to help reverse this trend?

# Note the final figures for University applications will be known after the main deadline on 15 January 2013.

SNP Councillors Halved the Representation of Parents in the Planning of New City Schools

I was disappointed that at the Policy and Resources Committee on Monday night, SNP Councillors conspired to vote for a reduction in parental representation on the Project Boards that will be planning the new schools in Coldside, Menzieshill and Strathmartine. I think it is really important to have strong parental voices in these Planning Boards.

At the Policy and Resources Committee, I argued that we should retain having two members of the Parent Council of each school in the relevant Project Planning Board for the replacement schools and community facilities. This would have been in line with what has been the practice at the Project Planning Boards for the Balgarthno (Lochee-Charleston) and West End shared campus replacement primary schools. I was disappointed that what had been proposed in the report to the committee was a reduction to one Parent Council member per school. Despite my offering a constructive alternative to their proposal they would not budge.

I also pointed out to the Committee that when it comes to the appointment of head teachers, the law of Scotland provides that Parent Councils have a right to two members on an appointment committee selecting a new Head Teacher for their school. So if it is good enough for head teacher appointments it should also be the continuing standard of representation for the Project Boards planning our new schools in the city.

I was pleased that the Committee agreed with my proposal to involve pupil council members of the project boards but I remain puzzled why the non Labour members of the Committee should want to reduce the participation of parents.

While the Committee Convener said that the Project Boards can use their discretion to bring more people on, I have my doubts that they will do this if so many Councillors have expressed this level of resistance to my proposal.

Dropped Cast Iron Drain Covers on Dundee Road Need Fixing

On the drive from Broughty Ferry to Dundee along the Dundee Road, I have noticed a number of clunks as my car drives over significant depressions in the road surface.  My bumpy ride in this instance, is caused by three dropped drain covers which are roughly in a line close to the junction of Dundee Road and Ralston Road on the southern carriageway.

Rather like pot holes, if dropped street ironwork is not sorted out, our car journeys can make for an uncomfortable ride and at worst they can cause damage to tyres and wheels.

I first reported these dropped drain covers two months ago. My picture shows a significant depression in the road but more ominously,  I noticed stress fractures in the surrounding tarmac which will only get worse when snow and ice get into them over the winter.

I think it's more than time this was sorted out by the Roads Partnership.

Qualified Welcome for New Stagecoach Bus Service Linking central Broughty Ferry with Dundee City Centre from Monday 26 November 2012

Click on timetable to enlarge

The City Council Transport Department have just announced a new bus service linking central Broughty Ferry (Brook Street/Gray Street) and Dundee City Centre.

Starting today, Monday 26 November, Stagecoach will be running the new No 74 service Monday to Friday between 0900 to 1600 - every 30 mins. This bus service will operate via Broughty Ferry Road / Greendykes / Gardyne College /Strathern Road - and into central Broughty Ferry. This will increase the number of daytime buses coming along Brook Street from 3 to 5 buses per hour (4 from West Ferry direction and 1 coming down from Forthill).

I have no doubt that this bus route will be appreciated by residents living south of the railway line in central Broughty Ferry and those visitors that want a bus that delivers them right into the heart of the shopping centre. It's two years since the bus reorganisation when National Express withdrew their buses from running through central Broughty Ferry. At that time many residents, including some who live in sheltered housing, approached me with their concerns. I am sure they will make use of this new service.

One group of residents who won't be putting out the flags are those that live in Dundee Road who rely on the bus, especially some of the older folk who live in the Taypark apartments.

The limited hours for the new service also means that it will not be any use for those that work regular 9-5 hours in Dundee or The Ferry. Perhaps if this new service is a success, we can pressurise Stagecoach to increase the operating times?

New Listening Ear Service for Older People Welcomed

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There is a new telephone helpline, Dundee Information and Advocacy Helpline for Older People (DIAL-OP). This new service for older people and their carers in Dundee opened in August.

DIAL-OP information helpline is a fantastic resource which aims to help signpost callers to agencies and organisations that can help provide them with more detailed and accurate information in relation to their enquiry or concern. They also aim to be a practical point of contact for vulnerable and isolated older people who may not have anyone to talk to about their concerns, or perhaps a caller may be apprehensive about discussing certain issues with family and relatives. In a nut shell; if it matters to the caller, it matters to DIAL-OP.

DIAL-OP have ten friendly, local volunteers, who are keen to support callers to the service by providing ‘a listening ear’. All callers are accepted without prejudice and encouraged to talk and explore their options. 

The Dundee Information and Advocacy Line for Older People (DIAL-OP) service is provided Monday to Friday from 10am-1pm  (01382) 305757
Outwith those hours they have an answering service which is checked daily as well as an e-mail address: Dial-op@diasdundee.org

Brian Taylor's Big Debate Live from Dundee Contemporary Arts Friday 30 November 2012

Brian Taylor’s Big Debate is coming to Dundee Contemporary Arts on Friday November 30 between 12 noon and 1 pm. It will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland. 

If you would like a seat in the audience book your place at brian@bbc.co.uk

Feel free to submit a question to the Panel by email to:
brian@bbc.co.uk

Unemployment in The Ferry - October 2012 Update

In October 2012, there were 210 unemployed men and women in Broughty Ferry according to statistics released from the Office of National Statistics.

These figures are based on the claimant count; the number of people claiming Job Seekers' Allowance. These figures therefore exclude those individuals who are unemployed and seeking work but do not qualify for Job Seekers' Allowance. The official figures also exclude those individuals that are underemployed currently seeking more hours of paid work.

Unemployment in Broughty Ferry broken down into individual areas:
Broughty Ferry central  63
Balgillo                       73
Barnhill                       43
West Ferry                  31
                                         +

Total The Ferry  210

These figures are a stark reminder that unemployment hits areas such as The Ferry with the same force for the individuals affected and their families as it does elsewhere. As one Labour politician commented in the 1960's, 'for the unemployed person, unemployment is 100%'.

The unemployment figures for The Ferry do not sit in isolation. Alongside them are the figures for Dundee that show that the unemployment rate in the city continues to be higher than it is in Glasgow.

These high rates of unemployment result from the policies of a complacent UK Government. They urgently need to adopt Labour’s 5 point plan for jobs which includes a tax on bankers’ bonuses. Also responsible is an out of touch Scottish Government now permanently focused on its referendum for a separate Scotland that needs to re-order its priorities.

Weather Didn't Stop the Fun at Broughty Christmas Lights and Street Party

All the fun of the fair

The cold and wet weather didn't put off the crowds of families gathering in Brook Street and Gray Street last night to see the new Christmas Lights switched on by the Lord Provost.
A special thank you to Broughty Ferry Traders for once again organising the event with a wide range of voluntary, commercial and Council collaborators and sponsors.
A memorable night on the civic calendar for The Ferry.

Rachel Lindsay P7B Eastern Primary School
joint winner of the Bferry Traders'
Christmas Poster competition

Staff and pupils from Barnhill Primary School
 are presented with their charitable donation
from Broughty Ferry Traders

Gillies special Christmas window display

Additional Traffic Safety Measures Committed for Ferry Schools

Last Friday afternoon, I attended a meeting of the School Parking and Pupil Safety Working Group chaired by the Chief Executive, David Dorward.

The Committee received updates about progress with the implementation of safety measures already agreed. In the light of additional reports, some further safety measures were agreed.

The following safety improvements have been agreed for Ferry Schools:

Forthill Primary School

Work is ongoing in respect of traffic orders connected with the installation of a traffic barrier and use of Forthìll Sports Club Car Park (for staff parking) and would be completed by April 2013.

Grove Academy/Eastern Primary School
Work is progressing to implement the traffic order to make the northerly section of Church Street one way running north to its junction with Davidson Street.

The following additional measures were agreed:-

(i) Yellow box on Church Steet/Queen Street Junction.

(ii) Part-time 20 mph speed limit signage on Queen Street.

(iii) Re-locate Bus stop and Shelter on Claypotts Road (east side).

Barnhill Primary School

It was agreed that an updated risk assessment is to be carried out in light of the planned major building works at the school.

Annual Review
Finally, the Group agreed to meet again in June 2013 to review the effectiveness of the measures that had been introduced throughout Dundee to enhance road safety in the vicinity of our schools.

This has been an effective working group that has really got some things done at schools to hopefully enhance pupil safety in the vicinity of our schools. While some measures have taken longer to implement than we anticipated, I now recognise some of the complexities of introducing improvements that require traffic orders.

ScotRail Fail to Reassure Passengers from Broughty Ferry About Fair Fares

At the Broughty Ferry Library on Tuesday 6 November, John Yellowlees

the External Relations Manager of First ScotRail talked to members of the Community Council and the public about the development of train services at our station. In response to two questions I had posed, which he was unable to answer on the night, he emailed the Secretary of the Community Council with his responses. 

I had first put to John Yellowlees a question about higher fares from Broughty Ferry which a constituent had raised with me. The fact is that in some instances the return fare from Dundee to Aberdeen is £4.20 cheaper than the equivalent but slightly shorter return journey to Aberdeen from Broughty Ferry. In fact when I inquired about this at the ticket office at Dundee Station, I was advised to buy a cheaper return ticket from Dundee and get on at Broughty Ferry. John Yellowlees replied:

"We have two levels of Advance fare. The lower of the two is available only on a small number of high demand flows where such deep discounting is viable. The higher level of Advance will be the same or similar for both stations." (Broughty Ferry and Dundee)

My second question was about under counting  of rail users journeys to and from Broughty Ferry if they were buying tickets to and from Dundee, and the potential effect on future investment. John Yellowlees didn't answer my question but warned:

"On the risk of undercounting, if passengers use a Dundee ticket to travel from Broughty Ferry, then they are liable to purchase a new ticket as it would not be valid."

I think it's nonsense to not make Broughty Ferry fares equivalent to the best fares to and from Dundee. It is disappointing to hear that ScotRail is not committed to look into these anomalies and sort these out. Even worse we are told that passengers that follow the advice of ScotRail staff at the booking office in Dundee might be penalised and have to buy another ticket if they are caught getting on at Broughty Ferry with a ticket from Dundee. This is Alice in Wonderland stuff.

I think that ScotRail should sort this out. 

On their website ScotRail claim that:
"Providing a safe and reliable service and continuous improvement to performance levels remain at the top of our agenda. We will continue to provide value for money services and to invest in train refurbishments leading to improve reliability and station enhancements to ensure a safer and more comfortable environment." 
I think some of their fare paying passengers in Broughty Ferry may be doubtful about the commitment of ScotRail to live up to these bold claims.

Long Suffering Residents of Albany Place to Have their Road Resurfaced

I know that the long suffering residents of Albany Place will be delighted that their Road is to be resurfaced early next month.

Work is programmed to commence at Albany Place on Monday 3 December 2012, and will last for approximately 3 days. The Contractor for the works is Tayside Contracts.

Vehicular access will be maintained to residents throughout the works, although we ask for vehicular traffic movements to be kept to a minimum, and some minor delays may be encountered during some phases of the works. No on-street parking will be allowed on the section of carriageway being worked on.

Please note that pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained throughout the works.

If you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact Mr R Mackenzie, Senior Engineer, Roads Maintenance Partnership, by telephoning 01382 433558.

Policing Matters - Two Police Committees in One Day

Police Service of
Scotland badge

In April 2013 the national Police Service of Scotland will come into effect. In the meanwhile, there is intense work is going on organizing a smooth transition from Tayside Joint Police Board (incorporating Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross) to the new Scotland wide service. 

In parallel the City Council in Dundee is a Pathfinder working with Tayside Police to develop new reporting procedures and channels of accountability to the City Council for policing in our city. This is to ensure that there is continuing local accountability for policing once the new national force comes into effect next year. 

Yesterday, I attended two meetings about Policing which focused on that twin track agenda of preparing for the end of Tayside Police and the beginning of the Single Police Force for Scotland. 

In the morning I was at Forfar for a meeting of the Tayside Joint Police Board and in the early evening I attended a special meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee in Dundee, where we examined a report from Chief Superintendent Hamish MacPherson about the next steps in developing Councillor engagement in planning and monitoring policing in Dundee.

Both committees received performance reports about crime levels and policing responses. At the Police Board in Forfar, I asked Chief Inspector Justine Curran about about Police Officers having to be removed from front line policing duties to undertake back office activities formerly undertaken by non uniformed Police staff. In the reports we had received it was clear that non uniformed Police staff in Tayside had been reduced by 23% since 2009. I pointed out that my constituents were concerned that a visible Police presence was maintained on the streets. The Chief pointed out that the reduction in non uninformed police staff had been partly achieved by merging three separate administrative teams into one. She did however admit that some back filling had been undertaken by Police Officers being switched to working in the police control centre. Significantly, I also noticed in the reports that a growing proportion of public calls to the 0300 111 2222 non-emergency police number had taken longer to answer than the target time of 40 seconds. This phenomenon of 'backroom bobbies' is a worrying development as is the failure to answer the phone quickly and efficiently.

At the Dundee meeting we had reports about levels of crime and detection rates as recorded in the first half of the 2012/13 year. I asked a question about the future comparative statistics that would be provided in these reports in Dundee. Comparative figures would help us ensure that investment and police performance in our city is up to scratch. I hoped that working within the new national Police Service of Scotland, it would be possible to compare the policing performance in Dundee with other cities in Scotland such as Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as Perth and Kinross and Angus. I was told that this sort of issue was yet to be decided by the emergent Police Service of Scotland but would be borne in mind.

YeAABA Dabba Dook - New Year's Day 2013 - Time to Enter

Click on image to enlarge

It's time to get your entry in for the New Year's Day Dook 2013 at Broughty Ferry Harbour. It's organised by Scotland's only open water swimming club; Broughty Ferry's 'Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association'; the Phibbies! 

Yes the year is passing fast and as Christmas lights are switched on, it's time to fill in your entry form, especially if you want to be among the first 500 Dookers who sign up for the challenge and qualify for a special edition Gillies Dook Day Bather's Towel. This is in addition to the Dook T-shirt and Certificate of Achievement that all Dookers receive. Entry fee £15.

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