Broughty Ferry Gala Fete 2013 Programme Sunday 30 June at Castle Green 1-5pm

The Broughty Ferry Gala Fete is today and
begins 1pm at Castle Green. Enjoy!
Read/download the Gala Day programme 2013

Dundee City of Young and Confident Swimmers?

Grove Academy Swimming Pool

Let's get our children swimming!

With the new Olympia opening on Thursday, I think it's time to ask how we can exploit the outstanding quality and number of public and secondary school based swimming pools we have in Dundee and ensure that all our young people have an opportunity to learn to swim.

While we have some very active and successful swimming clubs and many indoor pools, I think more could be done in our Primary Schools to help make Dundee a City of young and confident swimmers.

According to The Royal Life Saving Society UK, more than 400 people drown in the UK each year, and thousands suffer near-drowning experiences. Shockingly drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death in children in the UK so this brings into sharp focus the importance of learning to swim.

In our primary and secondary schools, the Scottish Government have a target for two hours of quality physical education per week but surprisingly there is no specific target for learning to swim.  According to national swimming organisations, it takes at least 22 hours of sustained small group lessons to teach a child to swim. I understand that many of our children receive less time than that for swimming lessons during their Primary School years. 

In this National Drowning Prevention Week, I hope we can adopt our own target in Dundee and promote Dundee as a City of Young Swimmers. In this way we should not only ensure that we make good use of our swimming pools but more importantly provide access to well experienced swimming coaches and swimming lessons as part of the curriculum entitlement for all our primary school pupils.

Broughty Ferry Art Society Annual Exhibition Open Until 7 July 2013

Broughty Ferry Art Society's annual exhibition runs until 7th July.

This exhibition showcases members' work as well as local schools' winners.

The exhibition is in the Scout Halls near the Lifeboat shed and will be open from 10 -6 pm daily. Admission is free.

 

Commenting on Proposals to Limit the Numbers of Taxi Licenses in Dundee

At the Licensing Committee yesterday, we were asked to consider putting a cap on the number of taxi licenses in Dundee (Item 3. [i] Licensing Committee Thursday 27 June 2013). This recommendation was based on the Report of Taxi Survey which had been produced by external consultants. 

I asked at the meeting about how future increases in demand for taxis could be accommodated? For example, the projected opening of the V and A and how this might be taken into account if the number of taxis was capped? I was conscious that the recently launched Tourism Action Plan for Dundee is projecting half a million visitors to the city in the first year after the V and A opens and 300,000 per year thereafter. We don't want visitors to the city arriving and finding they have to queue for a lengthy period for a taxi. That would create a very poor first impression of our city. 

I was reassured by the confirmation from Council staff that the annual updating of the survey will be able to accommodate future actual and anticipated increases in demand for taxis such as the opening of the V and A.

Grove Academy Celebrating Success at Caird Hall Prizegiving

Click on image to enlarge

Yesterday, I attended Grove Academy's annual Celebrating Our Success ceremony held in the Caird Hall.

The school's annual prize giving is a good opportunity to hear about the achievements of the pupils and their teachers as the school session comes to a close.

In his address, the Rector, Graham Hutton drew attention to Grove's very positive HMiE report following their school inspection in early 2013; the improving examination results and the adoption of a Values statement for the school.

He also referred to the commitment of his staff undertaking continuous professional development to help inform their implementing the curriculum for excellence and preparing to teach towards to the new examinations in S4.

The prizegiving programme also included some enjoyable and accomplished musical performances by Grove pupils featuring the String Group, the Rock Band, the Pipe Band and Douglas Clark who played the Caird Hall organ.

The leadership of senior pupils was also evident in the participation of Prefects who took it in turns to announce the Merit Award winners as they came up on stage to receive their certificates. Head Girl, Danielle Parsons and Head Boy, Neal Miller rounded the afternoon off with a confident and polished vote of thanks.

Parking Issues in Fisher Street Close to the Lifeboat to be Investigated

One of my constituents recently wrote to me about parking issues in Fisher Street in central Broughty Ferry:

"We frequently pass along Fisher Street, Broughty Ferry, and are becoming increasingly concerned about the car/van parking situation at the 'Ferry' end of Fisher Street. Many times we have passed and wondered how on earth emergency vehicles could fit themselves between the vehicles parked on both sides of this stretch of road. This seems to be legal at some times but, if one of the vehicles is a van (as we saw yesterday) the road space is considerably reduced to the point of having to squeeze even a car through the gap. If fire engines or ambulances were trying to pass through we are concerned that, if they could not, the extra time required to find a passable alternative route could be critical."

I have written to the Director of Transportation to ask him to include Fisher Street in his list of roads in Broughty Ferry where parking restrictions may need to be reviewed. It's clearly important that emergency vehicles and bin lorries can get through our streets.

Looking at the photograph of Fisher Street from Norman Moore's collection of 'Dundee in the 1950's and 1960's', the contrast with the volume of cars parked and using the road now is really apparent.

Temporary Closure of Dundee Road from Stannergate Circle to Ralston Road for Resurfacing Coming Soon

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY 
being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of  carriageway surface dressing works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in  A930 Dundee Road (from Stannergate roundabout to Ralston Road), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Saturday 29 June 2013

The weekends of 6/7 July and 13/14 July may be used if the works are delayed due to weather conditions.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Craigie Place / Craigie Avenue / Strathern Road / Fairfield Road.

For further information contact (01382) 433168.

Director of City Development

NB I have asked the Council to postpone starting this road resurfacing on Sunday 29 June as it's also Gala Day in The Ferry.

Worrying Claims Higher Maths Exam Was Dumbed Down

Earlier today a former senior examiner at the SQA has claimed that this year’s Higher Maths exam was ‘dumbed down’.

These are serious allegations and they come on the back of the departure of the senior Higher Maths examination team at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Concerns were previously expressed that the marking regime would be altered to ensure that pass rates didn’t fall and now we have an experienced examiner saying that standards have been significantly lower and the exam questions have been dumbed down. 

Pupils, parents and carers, employers and universities need to know that standards are being maintained and quality is not being compromised. This is the latest in a series of worrying reports about the Higher Maths exam. Mike Russell, the Education Secretary in the Scottish Government needs to explain just exactly what is going on and give an assurance that there is no 'grade inflation' going on behind the scenes. 

Scottish Labour also believes that the Education Committee of the Scottish Parliament should conduct an inquiry into this when the Parliament resumes in September. We can't afford to be complacent about maintaining the gold standard of our Scottish Higher examinations. 

Repair to Leaking Sewer on Broughty Beach Planned to Start Today But Permanent Solution is Yet to be Scheduled

Scottish Water confirmed on Thursday evening that they have managed to schedule the repair work to the leaking sewer pipe on the Beach near the Douglas Terrace end of the coastal pathway. Work is planned to begin today.

I hope that they will have enough time between the tides to stem this particular leak and not need to come back tomorrow. I understand however that this is only likely to be a temporary repair. Since leaks of foul water on the beach were identified last year close to the current visible leak, Scottish Water have admitted that a permanent replacement of this sewer pipe and the junction buried under the beach is required. While I am assured by them that a comprehensive replacement is being planned, the timescale for undertaking this seems to be stretching into the future.

I think Broughty Ferry residents will be relieved that this particular repair is now going ahead but like me will also want Scottish Water to get on with the work to permanently replace this troublesome section of the sewers. They will also want to to be know that our beaches will be protected from the source of this pollution over the rest of the summer.

Big Bus Changes Ahead for Broughty Ferry from Next Sunday

Next Sunday, 30 June 2013, will see wide ranging changes to National Express Dundee bus services in the City.

The most significant change for The Ferry is the reintroduction of the Outer Circle service after an absence of around three years.  At the same time Service 26 will be withdrawn. 

In addition there will apparently be a co-ordinated timetable for the 5 service with the new Outer Circular service. I hope this is achievable but in practice it will probably be a real challenge to synchronize two of the cross city bus routes.

Here are the key points from the leaflet produced by National Express about the Service 5 and the new Outer Circle:

Service 5

• 10 minute frequency Monday—Saturday 
• Serving Science Sensation Centre (Monday—Saturday) 
• An increase in the early morning journeys to Technology Park 
• Sunday service extended to Ninewells Hospital/Technology Park to operate every 20 minutes from Balgillo. 
• A co-ordinated timetable with the new Outer Circular. 
• Following customer feedback minibuses have been removed in favour of the brand new Hybrids. 

Service 9,10,11,12 

• Re-introduction of the Outer Circle Service after an absence of 4 years
• Will re-serve the centre of Charleston via Craigowan Road
• Service 9/10 will serve the Stack Leisure Park and operate in the evenings and all day Sunday to the Camperdown Leisure Park.
• Evening journeys will also serve Harefield Road (Tofthill)
• Earlier Sat/Sun am journeys introduced on Service 9/10 to serve Ninewells Hospital and Tesco Call Centre (Baird Avenue)
• Service 11/12 will serve the Kingsway Retail Park, and lower Douglas (part of Douglas Drive)
• Journeys to operate to midnight with support from Dundee City Council

I hope these changes are as beneficial as National Express Dundee are claiming and bus users find they are really advantageous.

Read/download the new Dundee Bus Network Map effective 30 June 2013

Responses From The Council to Broughty Ferry Issues: Some Positive News

Flowerbed weeded at Douglas Terrace open space
and re-seeded area the near the road
Click on image to enlarge

Over the four weeks, I have reported a number of environmental issues that had been raised with me by constituents. Many have had a satisfactory outcome while others are progressing towards a solution.

For example, I reported to the Environment Department attention was required at the triangle of open space at the end of Douglas Terrace. Part of this area had been used as a site compound by the contractor when they worked on the upgrading of the adjacent coastal pathway. As a first step, the flower beds have been weeded and the rutted 'grass' area re-surfaced and re-seeded.

At the end of May, two residents from dispersed sheltered housing in Anton Drive and Nursery Road asked me to request the removal of a steel container. This had apparently been left by the Council contractor that had been working on the kitchen and bathroom replacements in their houses. The residents wanted this shifted as the work had been finished for some time. Several days later the Housing Department arranged for the container to be uplifted.

On Wednesday this week, I reported a large patch of giant hogweed on the embankment next to a lay by on the eastbound stretch of the A92 between the East Balgillo Road and Panmurefield roundabouts. On Thursday the area was sprayed by the Council.

Last month, along with the Community Council, I commented on the very poor state of the fencing on the dunes beside the The Esplanade. This picket fencing had previously been put in to help stabilise the dunes and funnel members of the public to a few well demarcated crossing points onto the beach. Following storm force winds the fencing had been broken and the crossing points buried under accumulations of sand. I asked for a solution but none is yet forthcoming. As a constituent said to me this week, what are those scrappy bits of fencing doing?  I have written again to the Environment Department.

Broughty Ferry Gala Week 2013 Free Colour Programme

With the school summer holidays fast approaching, it's also nearly time for the fun and enjoyment of Broughty Ferry Gala Week.  

This year Gala Week will run from Sunday 30th June until Sunday 7th July 2013. 

Gala week kicks off with the Gala Fete on Sunday June 30th starting at 1pm at the Castle Green with a brilliant range of stalls, activities and events including:

Live Music from Celtic rock band Gleadhraich - Traditional Fete Games - BBQ - Beer Tent - Face Painting - Indoor Cafe - Karaoke - Bungee Run - Water Bubble - RAF Harrier Simulator - Dundee Sparklettes from Dorwin Stage School - Karen Scrimgeour - Lady With A Hundred Pockets - Fire Brigade - Fiddlers Rally at Tea Room - Downfield Musical Society - Fortune Teller - Children’s Fun Rugby Games - Win Water or Wine (which key to open the door?) - Sports Development: Activities and Fun for all the family! - Grove Army Cadet Force - Climbing Tower - Henna Hand Painting - Crepes - Karate Display by Tenshinkan Ecosse - Dancilious - Radio Car Club - Arbroath Smokies Spinks - The Sesh, Wands - Guess No. of Balloons in the Car (courtesy of West End Garage) - Radio Tay Roadshow. 

As we have come to expect, there is something for everyone in the Gala Programme. Pick up a copy of the free colour programme in the shops or read/download a copy by clicking on this link.

There is also a day by day list of events on the Broughty Ferry Traders, website, Come to Broughty Ferry. Find them also on Facebook.

Commenting on ASPIRE Music, Art and Drama Project in Nine Primary Schools and Reduction in Music Fees

On the Education Committee's agenda next Monday (24 June 2013) are reports about the Aspire Project and Music Fees. 

The Aspire report outlines a potential Music, Art and Drama programme which would operate in a quarter of our Primary Schools in Dundee. Each of the nine primary schools selected would  be involved in either the Music, Art or Drama programme over the next two years. In each of these schools they would have some input from a professional musician, artist or actor. I hope that the funding bids to four external sources are successful so that the Aspire programme can go ahead and begin in August when the schools go back after the summer holidays. If Aspire is judged a success in the future, I hope it will be made available in every primary school in the city and not just the nine initially selected. 

I also welcome the separate proposal to reduce the cost of learning a musical instrument in the Council's Music Education programme which offers pupils opportunities to learn to play musical instruments and to take part in a variety of musical activities. In this proposal before us next Monday, the Education Committee will be asked to approve the removal of fees for individual tuition, currently £132 per pupil per year, but the retention of hire charges for musical instruments currently £78 per year. This latter charge is for personal use of a musical instrument such as a violin or trumpet so that the pupil can receive their small group tuition as well as practise on the instrument at home. I think this proposed cut in fees for pupils learning a musical instrument may help reduce one of the barriers to children taking part in learning to play a musical instrument and perform in the citywide bands and orchestras.

But I think we need to know that both of these proposals can really be afforded without sacrificing something else which parents and carers, pupils and teachers might more highly value in our schools. I have contacted the Education Directorate about a number of issues on which I am seeking clarification before the Education Committee meeting next week.

Councillor Kevin Kennan said:

"I am a supporter of the development of music art and drama in our schools. But there is no getting away from the fact that the Council is operating in a challenging financial climate so each spending decision is a tough choice between more of this and less of that. The fact that I have identified that does not mean I am against the potential widening of participation in music tuition in our schools. I am pointing out what this will likely have a cost elsewhere in schools and asking if this is a price worth paying?"

Dundee Makes the Shortlist for UK City of Culture 2017

Earlier today, Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey MP announced that Dundee, had made the shortlist to become UK City Of Culture 2017. Dundee is joined by Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay on that shortlist. 

This is brilliant news.

Dundee as one of the shortlisted cities will now be invited to submit a final bid by the end of September. The selection panel for the award will then meet again to decide a winner which will be announced in November.

It was good to hear the positive feedback from from Phil Redmond, Chair of the independent advisory panel. He said:
"The panel thought the four short listed cities offered plans that were ambitious, realistic and would not only deliver for their communities, but would also maintain the momentum created around the success of Derry-Londonderry (UK City of Culture 2013)."

Now for the sustained collaborative working to bring together a compelling final bid to take the crown, UK City of Culture 2017!

Brian Cox Returns to Broughty Ferry to Officially Open the Refurbished Street Lamps in Beach Crescent

John Dobbie, Chair of BFDT, introduces Brian Cox
click on image to enlarge

Yesterday afternoon Brian Cox returned to Broughty Ferry. On this occasion he was not on location filming an episode of Bob Servant but here to perform the official opening of the restored historic lamp standards in Beach Crescent. 

A group of members and supporters of Broughty Ferry Development Trust (BFDT) gathered to hear Brian's appreciative comments about The Ferry and the determined and effective conservation work of the Development Trust. He remarked that it was a bit early in the day to turn on the street lights but declared, 
"long may they light!"

This was a memorable event which demonstrates that BFDT is living up to its mission statement:
"Involving the people who live and work in Broughty Ferry in the development of their community to enhance its environmental, historical and commercial assets and promote it as a high quality place to live, work and visit." 

Joining the BFDT is free.
Just email info@broughtyferrydevelopmenttrust.com