See The Great Tapestry of Scotland at Verdant Works in Dundee Before 1st May 2016

Marvel at this extraordinary celebration of Scottish history captured in one of the largest embroidered tapestries in the world. 

Don't miss out on the opportunity to see 84 of the 160 panels of The Great Tapestry of Scotland on show at Verdant Works in Dundee until 1st May 2016. 

Admission is included in price of the Verdant Works museum entry.

Initiated by author Alexander McCall Smith, artist Andrew Crummy and historian Alistair Moffat, this remarkable exhibition is one of the biggest community arts project in the world. Consisting of 160 panels and running more than 140 metres in length, the Tapestry brings the history of Scotland to life in vibrant colour from the Ice Age to modern time.

Scotland’s Jute Museum @VerdantWorks is hosting this exhibition in the recently restored High Mill until 1st May 2016 and the combination of this exhibition with a visit to the museum will combine to produce a memorable and exciting day out for visitors of all ages.

Scotland’s Jute Museum @ Verdant Works 
West Henderson’s Wynd, Dundee DD1 5BT 
T: 01382 309060 
E: admin@dundeeheritage.co.uk 
W: Verdantworks.com

Open times – Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm (Sunday 11am) 
Tickets: £9 Adults, £7 concessions, £5.50 children 
Group rates are available for groups of 15+

Scottish Water Advise Start to Planned Maintenance at West Ferry Waste Water Pumping Station

Yesterday morning Scottish Water contacted me to provide an update about the planned maintenance they were carrying out at the West Ferry Waste Water pumping station. This is located at the junction of Douglas Terrace and the coastal pathway that runs via Grassy Beach to the Stannergate.

Back in February, I was advised that "works were planned at the West Ferry wastewater pumping station, subject to a suitable weather window being available." These works were described "of a routine nature to replace pumps, internal guiderails and control cables."

On Tuesday morning Scottish Water advised that: "Preparatory works are commencing today, 12th April, and Scottish Water’s operations partner, Veolia, will be mobilised ready to commence the work thereafter. The weather forecast will be reviewed on a regular basis to make best use of dry weather and minimise the work programme. There will be some temporary equipment located on the walkway but our contracting partner Veolia will ensure that the general public are unaffected by the works. A local letter drop will also be undertaken. The work is likely to last up to a week."

This announcement of a start to this work is welcome if long overdue. The malfunctioning pumps located in the underground pumping station have necessitated the protective fencing and the trailing hoses above ground which are pictured above. Let's hope that the work is completed and effective and the rather unsightly fencing can be removed.

Fort Street Bridge Damage - Follow Up from Council

Earlier this month, I reported the fact that holes had developed in the some of the panels on the parapet of the Fort Street rail bridge. It also looked as though some of the panels had been pushed or kicked in.  

I was unsure whether these holes represented a potential danger to the public especially young children, but I could see that they were unsightly. 

I am a Councillor, not an engineer. I therefore I err on the side of caution and refer things like this to experts in the City Engineers. 

I have received a very helpful and courteous email following a site inspection by one of our engineers. They wrote:

"Thanks you for the information on the above bridge. The defects to the inside face of the parapets have been picked up during an inspection and an order has been issued to deal with it. I am currently waiting on the date for the work to be carried out. It is intended to carry out repairs to all the panels which are damaged or showing signs of damage."

I think the message to public should be clear: Get it sorted get it reported!

Cutbacks to Countryside Rangers in Dundee

One of my constituents contacted me about the closure of the Wildlife Club run by Dundee Countryside Rangers. He drew my attention to the Facebook page of Dundee Ranger Service.

On the 7 March, a reduction in activities including the closure of the Nature Club was announced.

"Some of you have been asking about the summer events programme for 2016. Recent cuts to City Council services have had a direct impact on the Ranger Service and have resulted in a reduction in our staffing levels. This means that we cannot commit to the full events programme we would normally deliver. However, we will continue to work with partners such as Dundee Libraries and Friends of Barnhill Rock Garden to attend and deliver a variety of events across Dundee. Please see our events tab for more details on upcoming events for the Easter Holidays."

In response, one parent wrote: 
"We too are gutted that our wildlife club will no longer be able to happen. So grateful my two children (children's first names omitted) had the opportunity to be part of it."

Another wrote: "That's very sad as we as a family and my sister and her kids often come to your events."

A third parent/carer wrote
"Oh no! My two boys love coming to your activities."

It is a matter of deep regret that budget cuts have led to fewer Countryside Rangers. They provide a range of valued services in our communities. Developing a love of wildlife and an experience of getting out in our parks and open spaces is important, especially when it helps to prise our young people away from their screens and get them outdoors. It is counterproductive to make these cutbacks. It is yet another example of the way services valued by the public are being whittled away by budget reductions year after year. These are short term cuts that are already damaging these front line services.

BERA New Eight Week Programme of Evening Classes for Summer Term 2016

BERA have just launched their new eight week programme of evening classes in Broughty Ferry for the 'summer' term. These will commence in week beginning Monday 18 April 2016. 

Paper copies of the programme are available from Broughty Ferry Library and all the other usual outlets

Read the programme online at http://ow.ly/10ut9j

Seafield Road Traffic Restrictions Monday 11th April 2016 for 5 working days.

The Dundee City Council as Roads Authority being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of Telecommunications upgrade works being carried out
HEREBY PROHIBIT
the driving of any vehicle in a SOUTHBOUND direction in Seafield Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

The section of road to be closed to SOUTHBOUND traffic is from its junction with house number 16 Seafield Road, to the north side of its junction with Camperdown Street.This is a distance of approximately 100 metres.

This notice comes into effect on Monday 11th April 2016 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.
Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Seafield Road / Davidson Street / Claypotts Road/ Queen Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.
Mike P Galloway - Director of City Development
Dundee City Council

Commenting on the Addition of Modular Classrooms at Claypotts Castle Primary School

I have been advised that the Council will be adding temporary modular classrooms at Claypotts Castle Primary School over the summer. This was surprising because it's one of our new schools that only opened its doors in June 2008. I understand the extra classrooms are required to accommodate the increasing number of children who live in the school's catchment area. 

It is positive that the extra accommodation is to provided, because the alternative would mean improvising use of other areas within the school which would constrain the curriculum for our pupils. It is however very disappointing that a school that is just eight years old is too small. How did Council staff get their calculations so wrong? 

This is unfortunately not the first time that our new schools have proved to be too small. Craigowl Primary School was oversubscribed from the start and eventually the Council brought forward a restriction on the catchment area for Craigowl . 

Both examples call into question the reliability of the population projections that have informed decisions that the Council have made about replacing schools.  More worrying is that the same population projections have been used to justify the closure of Menzieshill High School this summer and the size of the proposed new primary school in Menzieshill. I think the new Children and Families' Committee (replacing the Education Committee) needs to be given the opportunity to discuss this at it's next meeting. 

We need to get it right for every child and avoid expensive mistakes like this.

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.