Dundee University Top in UK in International Ratings of Universities Under 50 Years Old

Earlier this month it was announced that the University of Dundee, which was founded in 1967, leads the UK’s representation, in 16th place, in the Times Higher Education world rankings of the best Universities under 50.



Congratulation to all the outstanding staff and students at the University of Dundee for this latest accolade. 



This follows University of Dundee being recognised as offering the best student experience in Scotland and joint 4th in the UK, according to the 2014 Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey.

No Change to Late Hours Catering Licences in The Ferry

On Thursday 31st March the Licensing Committee was presented with a review of late hours catering licences outside Dundee city centre. A licence is required for premises which wish to trade in hot food after 11pm. It was suggested to the Committee that the policy might be changed to make the late hours catering licenses in Broughty Ferry extend to 3:30am which would potentially bring them in line with the city centre.

I made the following contribution to the policy review:

"Convener, I do not think it is an anomaly that we have a different policy approach that applies to the granting of extensions to late hours catering licenses in Broughty Ferry. I do not think we should consider amending our policy for Broughty Ferry to bring it into line with arrangements that apply in the City Centre..

There are two main reasons why I think that the current policy should remain in place.

Firstly, I think it is largely unnecessary because the pubs and hotels with late hours liquor licenses already provide extensive onsite catering, including bar meals, hot food and in the case of The Fort and Wetherspoons for example, a restaurant.

This is not the 1960’s or 70’s when the most you could expect to buy with your drink was a packet of crisps or peanuts. 

It is therefore easy for those that are are enjoying a night out to combine drinking and eating out as the two are no longer segregated. Those leaving pubs at closing time don't need to look for a takeaway establishment on their way home because there has been no food available to them all night.

Secondly in Broughty Ferry it is indisputable that a significant number of residents live in the main commercial streets in homes over commercial premises or close by. It is recognised that hot food takeaways tend to lead to people lingering in the street as they consume their takeaways and this causes noise and nuisance for residents. 

On behalf of these residents therefore, I would ask that we spare them the imposition of even later hours licensing of hot food premises in Broughty Ferry.

In conclusion therefore I am strongly of the view that the current policy decision should be retained."

After the Licensing Committee Meeting, I made the following statement:

"I was please that I managed to persuade all the members of the Licensing Committee to back my proposal and leave things as they are. Surely midnight Sundays to Thursdays and 0100 hrs Friday/Saturday is late enough?

Link to Dundee City Council Late Hours Catering Policy

Blocked Gully Reported in Torridon Road

While out delivering election leaflets in the Torridon Road area on Sunday afternoon, I noticed that this gully in Torridao Road was not draining properly. This is close to the western end of the road close to its junction with Morlich Gardens.

This morning I have reported the choked gully to the Roads Maintenance Partnership.

Same day update
This afternoon, I received the following email message:

"Cllr Bidwell

 

I refer to your email below and would advise that the Roads Maintenance Partnership inspector for the area has removed the leaves from this gulley just now and will arrange for it to be visited by the gulley sucker once the operatives return to work next week.

 

on behalf of Roads Maintenance Partnership
Dundee City Council & Tayside Contracts"

What an effective responsive service?
Want it sorted, get it reported!

Safety Issues on Fort Street Bridge Reported

Earlier this week I alerted the City Engineer to the holes that have appeared in the infill panels on the east side of the Fort Street bridge over the railway. Whether this is a Council or NetworkRail responsibility I think it needs to be tackled sooner rather than later.

Signs of damage and deterioration like this, either from wear and tear or vandalism need attention before they become a more expensive eyesore.

Unfortunately minor damage like this, if not attended to, becomes a target for further vandalism.

Grove Academy in Herald Scotland Top 50 Secondary Schools in Scotland

Earlier this month the Herald Scotland published their list of the top 50 secondary schools in Scotland 2014/15.

The rank order in their table is based solely on pupils' results in Highers before leaving school in session 2014/2015.

These results are not directly comparable with SQA examination results in previous years. 

The table shows that Grove Academy is the only school in Dundee and Angus on the list. 

It is suggested however that "the table should be seen as a celebration of pupil success rather than a vilification of schools who have not achieved so highly" (and are not listed)

This is because the table also lists the benchmark for each school for comparison. This provides some insight into whether a school is punching above its weight, coasting along or under performing.

The percentage of pupils living in the lowest 20% of areas of multiple deprivation is also listed. 

Currently, there are eleven Primary School in Dundee targeted for additional support in the Attainment Challenge. This should help to reduce the 'attainment gap' and break the link between a child's postcode and attainment at school.

Further information about how well Grove Academy is doing may be found by following the Link to the Tables of Performance Information for Grove Academy located on the parent Zone area of Education Scotland's website.

Very Positive Inspection Report for Balgillo Nursery

Congratulations to the staff at Balgillo Nursery who have recently received a very positive Inspection Report from Education Scotland.

The inspectors wrote:

"Inspection of your Early Learning and Childcare setting found the following key strengths:

• Happy, well-behaved children who enjoy their learning experiences.
• Very good use of the local area to enrich children’s learning experiences.
• Strong partnerships with parents.
• Senior management Team, manager and staff team who strive to provide the best possible learning and care in the setting.

The overall evaluation ratings for Balgillo Nursery are all 'Good' or 'Very Good'. It is also positively noteworthy that there were no 'requirements' nor 'recommendations' arising from the inspection.

Read the full inspection Report

Commenting on the Announcement that Sistema will be Coming to Dundee

Councillor Laurie Bidwell said:
"The announcement yesterday that Sistema Scotland will be establishing a Big Noise Orchestra for children in Dundee is very good news. Their work in Stirling and Glasgow has demonstrated how music making can deliver tangible benefits for the children taking part, their parents and carers as well as the wider community. I am sure this will complement and extend the work of the existing city wide schools' orchestras and bands." 

"Two years ago Labour Councillors received the unanimous support of the Education Committee to back bringing a Sistema Scotland project to Dundee. That Council decision responded to the positive groundwork of the Optimistic Sound Group who had been fundraising and making the case for Sistema Scotland to develop their next music programme in Dundee." 

End End Councilor Lesley Brennan said: 
"I am delighted that the next Big Noise Orchestra to be established in Scotland is coming to the East End Ward. I understand that it will be working with children who attend Claypotts Castle and St Pius Primary Schools. My three boys have all taken part in school based and city wide bands and orchestras so I know what benefits being involved in music making can bring. 

This will be a real boost for Douglas."

"Let the children's music play!"

Hourly Trains from Broughty Ferry Beginning 2018-19

I welcome the announcement made earlier this week of an hourly train service from Broughty Ferry beginning in 2018/19. 

As stopping services in Broughty Ferry have previously increased, the travelling public has made good use use of these trains. In fact Broughty Ferry station has recorded the largest percentage increase in passengers at any station in the region.

This is a positive development which I, and many others, have campaigned for. 

In the intervening period before 2018/19, TACTRAN (the regional transport body), ScotRail and Transport Scotland have been charged with developing the fine detail of how these additional train services will run.  For example, will the hourly trains stopping at Broughty Ferry Station connect directly to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen? If travelling north, south or west, at which stations will passengers be able to get a quick connection from the slower stopping train to the express and vice-versa?

I should however like to point out that the Transport Minister in the Scottish Government is rather guilty of exaggeration when describing the impact of extending the life of thirteen, otherwise redundant, 3 carriage diesel trains as a 'rail revolution'.That might have been a more accurate description had he been announcing that lines north of Edinburgh and Glasgow were to be electrified.

There is also a related value for money issue for taxpayers. I think we are entitled to know why the redeployment of these diesel powered trains was not anticipated and included in the tendering of the new ten year franchise which is entirely devolved to the Scottish Government. Dutch operator Abellio only took over running ScotRail on 1st April 2015. Will the cost of 'adding extras' to the existing franchise be best value? Who is responsible for leaving this out of the franchise agreement?

Notwithstanding these issues, an improved frequency of train services for Broughty Ferry should be good for residents, our visitors and tourists as well. 

Link to Ministerial Statement
‘Rail revolution’ means 200 more services and 20,000 more seats for Scots passengers.

Participatory Budgeting - Workshop in the City Chambers

As part of my 'in-service training' as a Councillor, this morning I attended a briefing event about Participatory Budgeting. 

This half-day event was run by the Improvement Service and is funded through the Convention of Scottish local Authorities, (CoSLA).

This was a very practical session which provided insights into a number of approaches to public involvement in deciding spending priorities. I hope that it will be be possible to trial one of these approaches with The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership.

Pothole Action on Douglas Terrace

Last week, I reported a series of eight of the most serious potholes on Douglas Terrace. These were identified on the stretch of Douglas Terrace between its junctions with Dundee Road and Home Street. 

While further along the waterfront towards the harbour the carriageway has been resurfaced, this section of the road is still on the waiting list for an upgrade.

During the winter weather sections of the road surface thet has been been previously dug up and infilled has been eroded and become a hazard.

I am pleased to report that the road has been inspected by staff from the Roads' Maintenance Partnership and they have reported that the potholes should be fixed quite soon.

Dogs Must be Microchipped Before Wed 6 April 2016

On the 6 April 2016 the provisions of the The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 will come into force. This statutory order from the Scottish Government makes it an offence to keep a dog without an identity microchip.

Of course having your dog microchipped is one of the best ways to increase your pet’s chances of getting home if they should ever be lost or stolen. Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a more permanent form of identity for your dog. But don’t forget the law says all dogs must also wear a collar and tag, with their owners name, address and telephone number on it.

The Brown Street Kennels in Dundee have trained personnel who are able to microchip your dog. The current cost for this service is £17.30 inc VAT. 
Brown Street Kennels, Brown Street, Dundee DD1 5DT 
Tel: 01382 432100 Fax: 01382 432102
Email brownstreet.kennels@dundeecity.gov.uk

Westbay Residents Demand Some Road Safety Action

Since the new Grove Academy was opened and Eastern Primary School moved to the upgraded old Grove premises, both school have been opening their doors to an increasing number of pupils. This has led to regular parking difficulties for residents of Westbay Court in Albert Road.

Residents of the 17 apartments in Westbay Court have their own off street parking but they find it is very difficult to exit or enter their driveway during the forty minutes or so in the mornings and afternoons when parents and carers are using their road as a very congested drop-off and pick-up zone. Frequently Westbay residents find vehicles parking part way across the entrance to the driveway to their private car parking spaces. Their concerns are not merely about their own inconvenience from getting blocked in. They are very concerned about the risks to life and limb of young children walking and crossing Albert Road because for the restricted sight lines for residents as they exit and enter their driveways in their cars.

Residents first contacted me about this in the Spring last year and on a number of occasions I raised this in writing and at meetings with staff in the City Development Department. Despite a number of reminders from me and the residents, so far the residents think that their reasonable requests have been not been taken seriously enough.

I support the residents' view that this is an accident waiting to happen. I urge the Transportation section of the City Development Department to respond positively to the residents' request. At the same time, I urge parents and carers to drive and park safely and considerately in Albert Road because neither they nor the residents of Westbay Court want to be the cause of a road accident with a young pedestrian.

More Education Cuts in Dundee City Budget 2016-17 - My Contribution tot he Debate at the Budget Meeting

At the Budget Meeting on Thursday 25 February 2016, I made the following contribution to the debate about the SNP's budget proposals.

"Convener, with regard to Education your budget is full of short term cuts with long term damage to education in our city.

In June you are closing a well regarded and very well led high school in Menzieshill which parents and carers fought to retain. This will be happening at a time when the latest national population projections confirm a continuing and significant population growth in our city especially in the 0-15 age group.

In our primary Schools we continue to reduce capacity while there are proposals afoot to increase the nursery education and care entitlement. This would require considerable additional accommodation in our Primary and Nursery school buildings.

On Monday night I pointed out at the Education Committee that having 'Reserved Places' in four out of the soon to be eight secondary schools in the city is an indicator that our secondary schools are filling up and only Braeview, Craigie, St Paul's and Baldragon have some remaining capacity to cope with population growth in our city. 

Combined, Convener, with your fire sale of Council properties and sites, this means that not only will we have pressure on school places in the future but no Council owned  sites on which to build the new primary and secondary schools we will need.

In relation to the supply teacher budget, you have cuts back on this and gamble that there will be no no increase in demand such as a flu epidemic or an increase in staff on maternity and paternity leave that will increase demand for supply teachers in the next year. You are in my mind misleading people in Dundee when you claim this will make no difference. In the current year schools have been unable to spend this budget because of the lack of supply staff caused largely by the national shortage of teachers. If, as the Holyrood government tell us that they have at long last sorted out the lack of training places for teachers, we might have the potential supply teachers to employ next year but not the budget in our schools to pay for this. 

Short term cuts and long term damage Convener.

We can also see that the direction of travel will be to accommodate the rising number of pupils by allowing classes in our schools to get larger. Apparently you are happy for Dundee to be mid-table at everything  and not really ambitious to be outstanding. 

Convener, some of your colleagues have congratulated you on your creative approach to finding your budget cuts. But our constituents and our staff know that there are many dangers in your 'creative accounting'.

So Convener, I cannot support your budget today because you do not have the best interests of our city at heart. Your short term cuts will inflict long term damage to our children in our schools in the City. 

Not so much Getting it Right for Every Child, but Getting it Cheap for Every Child."

After the meeting I said:

It was very disappointing that the Finance Convener, Councillor Willie Sawers would not even allow a discussion of the Labour motion at the budget meeting. He just arbitrarily ruled it out of order, even though it had previously been agreed by the Council's Chief Legal Officer as a competent motion.. Councils must, by law, fix their budget for by mid March, so there was still time to put these savage budget cuts on hold and try, with a united political front, to negotiate a better deal for the city from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney. I don't think any Councillor should dismiss an opportunity to try to negotiate a better deal for our city. 

Dundee deserves better

Dundee is One of the Bright Sparks

Yes it's official, Dundee is one of the UK Bright Sparks, as defined by Sunday Times Journalist, Oliver Bennett.

In his feature article published today, he reviews "hi-tech hotspots where innovation is set to ignite the local property market."

Dundee is the sole location identified in Scotland. In the short entry about Dundee, Bennet writes:
"For a while, Scotland had a Silicon Glen: .... But it is Dundee - once known for 'jute, jam and journalism' - that may prove most interesting, particularly as it has become a centre for Computer Gaming.

It's a pity that the article has no mention of the V&A at Dundee or the recent UNESCO City of Design designation nor any references to residential and commercial property developments in the city. Nevertheless, it's good to see our city featuring positively in national media.

Scottish Water Urged to Sort Out Pumping Issues at Douglas Terrace

Before Christmas, contractors resorted to putting up safety barriers once again at the pumping facility at the end of Douglas Terrace. 

Above ground, behind these fences, there are two manhole covers propped open by a heavy duty hose connecting the two pumps that are seated well below ground level. 

I am advised that this is necessary because these pumps, that help to propel sewage and waste water towards the Hatton treatment plant, are not working properly. 

This is not the first time that this has been the case in recent years. The fencing and industrial pipes are a bit of an eyesore, but every day they are in use is an indicator that all is not well with this pumping facility below.This facility is maintained by Scottish Water's operators, Veolia. I think Scottish Water owe it to their water and sewage rate payers to pursue their operator to sort out this issue to get this facility working effectively.