Integration of Adult Health and Community Care - Council's Response to Scottish Government

At the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on Monday evening 10 September 2012, Councillors were asked to approve a draft response to the Scottish Government in relation to their consultation on The Integration of Adult Health and Community Care.

Here is what I said while asking a series of questions about gaps in the draft consultation responses from the Council.

"Convener, (Councillor Ken Guild also a Ferry Councillor) the problems of lack of integration of the planning and delivery of social care services have long been identified. From the point of view of many elderly constituents in Dundee, combining health and social work services currently funded and managed by local authorities and The National Health Service so that they provide a seamless service seems desirable. But the devil will be in the detail. 

Like the drafters of this report, I have concerns that democratic accountability to our council will be weakened without a wide range of elected member involvement in the new Health and Social Care Partnerships.  

Convener, we are both local Councillors with a high proportion of older people in our constituency whose services will be affected by this proposed integration. I think our position, as Councillors, to intervene and influence those responsible when one of our constituents has a dispute about their integrated care looks as though it would be weakened and diminished. In order that this is not another example of remote and distant authority, I would have preferred if we had followed the Policing example and had reporting of the planning and performance of the Integrated Health and Community Care direct to this Policy and Resources Committee. In addition I would urge that in our Council's response  question 6 (in the consultation) should be answered directly by saying that we are not in favour of a Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership combined with other local authority boundaries."

The Committee agreed to accept my proposal about responding to question 6 and senior Social Work officers agreed with my analysis about the potential negative effects of a lack of democratic accountability.

Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association Grant Approved

At the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee last night, Councillors approved a grant of £2850 to Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association (BERA) who organise the annual programme of evening classes in The Ferry. The BERA committee, all volunteers, have been organising these classes for over 30 years. 

The investment of the grant and support to BERA from the Adult Learning staff of the Council is much appreciated by BERA and I think is a good investment. Last year BERA provided over 1500 places in their classes in a wide variety of subjects and what's more paid more than twice the value of this grant back to the Council in rental payments for the use of school premises for their classes.


BERA's new programme of classes is already underway for the Autumn term at Grove Academy and Forthill Primary School. If you want to find out if there is a still a place in one of their classes email BERA info@beradundee.org.uk and refer to the details on their website www.beradundee.org.uk

Dundee Cyclathon Success 2012

Registration in Camperdown Park

Yesterday I took part in the Dundee Cyclathon organised by Claverhouse Rotary Club. The cyclathon uses the Dundee Green Circular route with a start and finish in Camperdown Park. The event encourages fund raising for the Caring for Kids charity or for the self-nominated charity of an individual or teams of entrants. The Cyclathon is not a race and includes cyclists of varying ages and abilities.

This year I registered a team, 'Bidwell Bikers' raising money for Tushinde Children's Trust that supports the education and nutrition of children living in the sprawling Mathare slums in Nairobi.  I had signed up my two daughters to cycle and attract sponsorship with me. My older daughter badly sprained her ankle and so had to withdraw from the event. Her place was taken by a neighbour.

As well as enjoying a pleasant bike ride round the circuit and collecting our medals at the end, we have already raised over £250 and there's more to come in from folk who have committed to support us and from whom we now need to collect the cash.

As a Councillor, it was also interesting for me to do the rounds because some improvements to the Green Circular route have been proposed in a report that is being considered by the Environment Committee later today. As I have cycled round the route the day before the meeting, I think that will give what I have to say some additional credibility.

One early observation is that the frequency and positioning of Green Circular way markers is inadequate and that does need to improve. 

Another observation, is that our Environment Department staff have worked really hard to bring the Green Circular route up to scratch for this event and the general public at other times.

A good day out on two wheels.

Barnhill Stretch of Pavement in Urgent Need of Resufacing

A constituent in Camphill Road has complained to me about the very poor state of a section of pavement in her home area. It is in fact stretching a point to refer to this pathway as a pavement. The pathway in question is at the beginning of Abertay Street on the western side of the road between Campfield Square shops and Camphill Road.

My constituent finds that the potholes and unevenness in the surface on this short stretch of pathway makes it impossible for her grand daughter to push her wee dolls pram round to the shops. Furthermore, the sharp exposed chunks of gravel are very hard on the feet of adults and children. They are also very punishing on the knees and hands of those, young and old, who are unsteady on their feet and fall over onto the gravel.

The picture shows both some of the holes in the path as well as the coarse and sharp exposed gravel on the surface of the path. This coarse and angular gravel is probably more exposed now that some of the finer particles has been dispersed by the wind and rain over the years.

I have written to the City Development Department to request an urgent resurfacing of this short section of pathway. It would be good if the Council could make this rough section of path into a bona fide pavement.

Drainage Improvements Completed on Coastal Pathway

New drainage channel to catch water
seeping from the wall.

Yesterday afternoon, I walked along the coastal pathway from Douglas Terrace to the Stannergate. 

Just beyond the Grassy Beach Centre, on the raised section of the pathway, the building work to create better underfoot conditions has been completed.

A new drainage channel has been installed which catches the water seeping from the wall above and then takes this to a new drain.

Further down the slope on the seaward side of the path, a additional drain has also been installed so that any surface rain water does not collect and form a pool.

New drain to disperse surface water.

I trust this satisfactorily reduces the likelihood of poor underfoot conditions at this spot, which some of my constituents had complained about at the end of July.

I think this represents a comprehensive and very satisfactory response from the Environment Department, whom I first approached about this.

Baldragon Academy Pupils Feature in CBBC Newsround Special Tonight

Pupils from Baldragon Academy feature in a CBBC Newsround Special which was broadcast at 5pm tonight. 

This programme, called Starting secondary school: Up and Away is about the transitions from Primary to Secondary School. It was timed to coincide with children in England starting back to school. 

The programme begins with testimony from a series of pupils with additional support needs as they anticipate and then reflect back on their first few days at Secondary School.

The pupils from Baldragon are featured in a short sequence at the beginning and in the last few minutes of the programme making it clear that all children have concerns prior to moving up to Secondary School.

The whole programme delivers the positive message that there's no need to be scared about the the big move up to Secondary school.

"It was really good to see and hear from pupils at Baldragon Academy talking confidently about their experience of moving up to their Secondary School. They reflect that their prior worries about the big move were unnecessary. Clearly these pupils have settled into life at their new school in just a few weeks. I congratulate Baldragon pupils and teachers for managing the transition so well."

You can catch up with the programme for the next week on BBC iPlayer.

Panmurefield Residents Left in the Dark

Residents in Panmurefield Village have contacted me to complain that they have been left in the 'dark'.

A recent replacement of street lighting bulbs in Lawers Drive has left road users worse not better off. Motorists and pedestrians have found the replacement lamps don't have the same luminosity. While the new lamps may reduce the Council's energy bills, the illumination of our streets and the safety of residents has been compromised.

I  have written to the staff in the Transport section of City Development to seek clarification of the extent of this new programme of 'upgrading' and to put a temporary stop on any further such work in The Ferry. I have also requested that work is undertaken to get the residents back to square one before the nights draw in.

Panmurefield Environmental Issues Reported

Following up a complaint from a constituent, I took my dog for a walk in the public open space between Panmurefield Village and Balgillo Road. 

This valuable corridor of land sits either side of the Dighty Water. The major pathway running along the North bank is a section of the Dundee Green Circular.

My picture, bottom left, shows two public benches near the section of the Green Circular close to the Seven Arches bridge which have been almost overwhelmed by the growth of weeds including Giant Hogweed. I have reported this to the Environment Department.

The main section of the pathway which runs above the benches (and is out of view) seems to be poorly drained and is prone to water pooling and consequently gets muddy. I have also reported this and requested this stretch of the Green Circular is added to the programme of upgrading works to the surface of the route which is ongoing. 

Broughty Ferry Community Council September Meeting

Last night I attended the September meeting of the Broughty Ferry Community Council who meet in the Broughty Ferry Library.

One of the regular items on the agenda is reports from elected members.

Here are some extracts from my report, which I read out at the meeting of the Community Council: 

• I have been working with the Environment Department on issues raised about the coastal walkway/cyclepath between the Stannergate and Douglas Terrrace.
• Work is well advanced to improve the drainage on the raised sections of the path west of the Dundee Sailing Club Centre and beneath Ravenscraig. This should ensure that the slime does not grow back and spread across the path again.
• The brambles and nettles have been cut back on Beach Lane. There is a commitment to improve the surface of the path where it is currently muddy. This is important because this path will become the main access route to Grassy Beach from central Broughty Ferry when the final section of the unimproved raised section of the coastal pathway is closed for upgrading.
• A quarterly cleaning of the coastal pathway has been programmed. It will be undertaken by a small mechanical sweeper from the Stannergate end as far as the steps up to the footbridge over the railway  This will be extended as far as Douglas Terrace when the last unimproved section of the coastal pathway is upgraded.
• I have been very concerned about the recent decision of the Development Management Committee of the Council with regard to relaxing the planning conditions on Sainsburys and the admission by the Director of City Development that no routine checks had been made on developers such as large retailers to see whether they had been complying with planning conditions.

One of the Community Councillors, Ken Anderson, reminded me and the meeting that I had also been taking up the issue of traffic calming measures in the narrower section of Camphill Road and he endorsed what I had been promoting along with the residents.

Missing Bus Timetable Requested for Stop at Campfield Square Shops

Residents in Barnhill have complained to me about the lack of a bus timetable at the 'new' bus stop on the south side of Nursery Road close to the Campfield Square Shopping Centre. They are glad that the bus stop has been replaced but puzzled why the Timetable space has remained blank.

I have written to the transportation department to request a timetable is inserted as soon as possible.

I shall be watching this space!

Forthill Tenants' Association Meeting

Yesterday evening, I attended the monthly meeting of the Forthill Tenants' Association which meets in the Tenants' Lounge in the Complex on Forthill Drive.

Forthill Tenants' Association is an enthusiastic and hard working group of older people who bring lots of life experience and many years involvement to their work on this committee. They are also a group of folk who know what they want and will enlist support wherever this lies to help them to achieve their goals.

These meetings are always lively and the members present are enthusiastic and caring. I always enjoy attending their meetings.

A worthwhile and constructive meeting. I am glad that I attended.

Broughty Ferry Waterfront from the Stannergate to the Dighty

I was in Tayport this morning. Standing on the harbour wall provides an uninterrupted view point across the estuary towards Broughty Ferry. It was here that I shot this short video, on my hand held Panasonic TZ10 camera. 

The video begins its sweep at the the western, Stannergate, end of The Ferry coastline and pans slowly to Balmossie Station and the Dighty at the eastern boundary. Apologies for the camera shake.

Its a fine coastline, I am sure you will agree. As a former Ferry Councillor used to say, 

'Broughty Ferry is the jewel in the Dundee crown'.

Road Safety Fears from Camphill Road Residents

Camphill Road looking East along
one of the narrower stretches.

Many residents in Camphill Road have contacted me to pass on their concerns about road safety in their street. 

Their concerns focus particularly on the narrower section of their road between the top of Whinny Brae and the junction with Queen Street at the traffic lights. 

They think that the corners in this stretch of the road leave drivers with blind spots. These hazards mean that motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are in danger of colliding at the corners where sight lines are restricted by the turns in the road and parked cars down one side of the road. In the picture (click on the picture to enlarge) notice that the single free lane is bounded on the left with a narrow pavement.

Observations of close run collisions at this point make some residents fearful that this is a serious accident waiting to happen. Their solution is to make Camphill Road east from its junction with Panmure Street one way. This would also reduce the opportunity for Camphill Road to be used as a rat run.

I have written to the Head of Transportation at the City Council to request that the traffic flows on this section of Camphill Road are monitored and options for improving road safety are assessed. The residents I have met are however adamant that they are not requesting the Council to paint more double yellow lines as many homes in the narrower part of the road have no off street parking.

Entering Dundee Cyclathon Sunday 9 September 2012

Ready to go in the 2011 Cyclathon

Sunday 9 September is the 2012 Dundee Cyclathon organised by Claverhouse Rotary Club with cyclists raising money for the Caring for Kids charity or their own nominated charity.
I shall be joining hundreds of cyclists who will pedalling around the 26 miles of the Dundee Green Circular route with the start and finish at Camperdown Park. 

This year I will be riding with my two daughters Naomi and Imogen and we will be making up a team entry.

Our team are raising sponsorship cash for Tushinde Childrens' Trust. If you would like to sponsor us, we have a fund raising page on Just Giving.

If you want to join in the cycling fun and raise some cash for good causes there is still time to enter the Cyclathon. More details of how to enter.

Les Miserables the Best - Dundee Schools' Music Theatre 29 August - 1 September 2012

Lovers of music theatre may not agree on which is the best musical of all time, but surely Les Miserables must be up there near the top of most of their lists? In my opinion, 'Les Mis' has it all: an epic narrative, snatches of humour and in the end redemption and hope as well as a rousing musical score and songs with memorable lyrics. 

All this presents a considerable challenge to an amateur company like Dundee Schools' Music Theatre (DSMT). My younger daughter was in the last DSMT production nine years ago at the Whitehall Theatre. That production was a triumph. I wondered whether they could pull it off again?

I was not disappointed in the performance of 'Les Mis' on Friday night at the Gardyne Theatre; in fact this production surpassed my expectations and the 2003 performance. Sorry Daughter! 

The DSMT cast gave the audience the performance of their young lives. It was truly an astonishingly accomplished all round performance. I particularly noticed the increase level of participation by young men in the cast and the improved solo, small group and unison singing compared with the class of 2002/3. 

In such an engaging and energetic ensemble performance, it seems almost wrong to pick out a favourite moment but I will. The rousing and rumbustious 'Master of the House' was a superb blend of singing, dancing and well timed pantomime like delivery by Thenardier and Madame Thenardier. They provided a snatch of humorous relief between the darker themes woven into the script.  

On the staff side, I noticed that this time Richard Waghorn was the Conductor of the Orchestra whereas he took a leading role on stage in the 2003 production. In the Orchestra I also noticed three members of the Mainds family.

A great night out from of the talented young people drawn from each one of our nine secondary schools. Their talents has been nurtured in our schools and by the staff leading and supporting this eleven month extra curricular programme of rehearsals leading up to the DSMT show nights.

The DSMT done good.