Seventies favourite …
Scott Street car vandalism
Posted: February 25, 2012 in Scott Street, Tayside Police, vandalism, Wave 102, West End LCPPResidents in Scott Street are rightly angry at the mindless vandalism of 16 vehicles in Scott Street overnight on Wednesday/Thursday.
Our local Police Inspector Graham Young updated the West End Local Community Planning Partnership meeting on Thursday evening about this disgraceful vandalism of residents’ cars and gave assurances that the police putting resources into catching the person or persons responsible.
I spoke on Wave 102 news about the matter today – click ‘play’ to listen:
After many months of campaigning on behalf of local residents for proper resurfacing of the badly potholed Roseangle car park, I was pleased to advise last month that the City Council had agreed to fully resurface it and have it properly relined.
Slightly ahead of schedule, the council’s contractor, Tayside Contracts, will commence resurfacing works on Monday morning (27th – weather permitting), with the car park closed from teatime on Sunday for 3-7 days – the time taken will really depend on weather conditions.
I have advised all nearby residents of the temporary car park closure and the City Council has also publicised this as has the Courier and Evening Telegraph.
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| Bellefield Avenue – SSE work postponed to avoid parking loss |
I was very concerned to learn yesterday that, by unfortunate coincidence, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) intended starting electrical work in Bellefield Avenue on Monday that would see a loss of parking in the street for up to three weeks – see right.
The combined loss of parking between the car park and Bellefield Avenue would have caused residents real difficulty, so I requested that SSE postpone their works until the car park work is completed. To their great credit, SSE promptly agreed to this – see their response below:
“Councillor Macpherson
Arrangements are underway to cancel works that were scheduled to commence on Monday 27 February 2012.
We will discuss with your Network Management department to identify a suitable time to reschedule.
The works are to upgrade electricity supplies into properties in Bellefield Avenue. This type of work involves excavations to connect a new cable into the property and disconnect the old one.”
Riverside Nature Park benefits from Rotarians’ generosity
Posted: February 24, 2012 in Riverside Nature Park, Rotary Club of Abertay, Rotary Club of Dundee
Yesterday, along with council colleagues Cllrs Richard McCready and Bob Duncan, I had the pleasure in taking part in a tree planting ceremony at Riverside Nature Park, with representatives from Dundee and Abertay Rotary Clubs who have kindly donated trees for the park.
Both Rotary Clubs do great charitable work and the new tree-lined path near to the park’s east entrance will greatly enhance the park.
Riverside Nature Park is going from strength to strength, with good visitor numbers and a Friends’ group getting established.
At the recent sheltered housing tenants’ meeting I held with the residents at Ancrum Place and Morven Terrace, the residents raised their concerns that the “SLOW” markings on the roadway in Morven Terrace, coming in from Tullideph Road were badly worn.
I contacted the City Council’s Head of Transportation regarding this, pointing out that the SLOW markings are important in an area where there are many elderly pedestrians, and he agreed that the markings should be repainted.
I am pleased that this has been done very promptly – see above right.
After my weekly surgery at Blackness Primary School this evening, I attended tonight’s West End Local Community Planning Partnership meeting at the Tartan Coffee House in Perth Road.
There was a presentation on the draft local housing strategy consultation for Dundee and I made the point that, in terms of improving privately rented housing in the city (and a lot of it is in the West End), resources must be put into improvements to privately rented housing including controlled entry systems, environmental improvements and proper factoring arrangements.
There was also an excellent presentation by Fiamma Dobson of the Bus Stop Drop In Project at the Gate Church in Perth Road that is providing support – including drop-in facilities – to Dundee folk with addiction problems – see video below :
Bus Stop Ministry from Gate Church on Vimeo.
We also discussed derelict housing in the West End and my proposal to re-establish a Derelict Land Working Group in the city to address this important issue.
University of Dundee Volunteering Fair
Posted: February 23, 2012 in Liberal Democrats, University of DundeeYesterday, Dundee Liberal Democrats took part in the 2012 University of Dundee Volunteering Fair - it was a great event and here’s a couple of photos from the day:
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| With some of the Dundee LibDem Team |
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| Official Volunteering Fair opening |
Residents have contacted me regarding water flooding down Old Hawhill during the past few days, within the University Campus - see right.
I am pleased to advise that the University Secretary assured me yesterday that the problem has been resolved by their contractor.
As reported in last night’s Evening Telegraph, I have welcomed a decision by the City Council and Tayside Contracts to give greater priority to footpath gritting beside a busy nursery school close to the West End Ward.
Law Nursery School in Campbell Street is near to the West End Ward, and as a result, children who live particularly in the north of the West End Ward make use of this excellent nursery school.
However, constituents of mine whose children attend the nursery complained that the pavement right outside the nursery in Campbell Street was not a priority route for winter maintenance, although other nearby streets such as Gardner Street are. I therefore highlighted to the City Engineer the need to ensure that this pavement was given priority in future given the number of very young children using it to enter the nursery and the hilly nature of Campbell Street.
The City Engineer has replied to me as follows :
“I have reviewed this with Tayside Contracts and we agree that that the section of footway outside Law Nursery (ie Campbell Street from Gardner Street to Lawside Road) should be included on the footway priority list for this area and will arrange for this to be added shortly.”
I view this as a sensible decision that will benefit the nursery school pupils and their parents. Although we have thankfully, thus far, seen a relatively mild winter, in future having this stretch of pavement next to the nursery getting priority winter maintenance will assist in bad conditions.
Cutting speed on Riverside Drive and Riverside Avenue : an update
Posted: February 21, 2012 in Riverside Avenue, Riverside Drive
Last November, I welcomed the recommendation by the City Council to cut the speed limit on Riverside Avenue and Riverside Drive, something I have long campaigned for to improve road and pedestrian safety.
The council’s Director of City Development has recently updated me on the consultation process as follows :
“It is estimated that the Traffic Regulation Process (TRO) process for the roads identified to change in the speed limit review will start off in about 2 months as this has been added to the list of outstanding Traffic Regulation Orders that have to be progressed.
As far as consultation is concerned it is likely that this will occur about 3-4 months after the commencement of the process.
Please note that the Riverside Avenue section will require the cooperation of Perth and Kinross Council as the road is shared to the west of Invergowrie Burn.”
I was on Radio Tay news yesterday and quoted in the Courier about the lack of proper public toilet provision at Dundee House, the City Council’s new headquarters.
At the HQ that cost Dundee council taxpayers some £36 million, there is only a disabled toilet facility but no general toilet provision. It would have been a whole lot better if the Dundee public had been given some consideration.
Although I have been told by the council’s Chief Executive that elderly people and young children will be allowed access to the disabled toilet, I have had a complaint from an elderly constituent who lives in sheltered housing that, on visiting Dundee House, he was told there is no toilet provision.
I do think the City Council can do better than this – after all, the Dundee public visiting Dundee House paid for the building!
Click ‘play’ below to listen to the news report on Radio Tay:
Following my weekly ward surgeries at the Mitchell Street Centre and at Harris Academy, I attended tonight’s meeting of the City Council’s Development Management Committee at which a planning application for office accommodation at the digital media park in Greenmarket – aimed at the digital media/creative industries sector – was considered.
The application was rightly strongly backed – by 21 votes to 2 – but I did seek – and obtained – assurances about visual appearance and the quality of design.
Supporting our digital media sector is vital if we are to secure economic growth for our city and it is good to see the future of the digital media park at Greenmarket and Seabraes being secured.
It was very good news for Dundee that it has been assessed as one of the European Cities of the Future 2012/13 by fDi Magazine. I spoke about this vote of confidence in the city on Wave 102′s news yesterday – click ‘play’ below to listen:
Dundee’s West End 1750-1950 – Through the Eyes of an Illustrator
Posted: February 19, 2012 in Verdant WorksVerdant Works – until Sunday 22nd April – with free admission.
A special exhibition of around 50 ink and colour wash art works by illustrator Keith Walker.Featuring images of familiar landmarks and locations; some still existing, others gone but within living memory and others much further back in time such as ancient drover’s roads which Keith has recreated. All the pictures are based on meticulous research from old maps, photographs and street directories undertaken in the libraries and archives of Dundee.
Places on show include Roseangle, Balgay, Magdalen Yard, Blackness House, Guthrie Street, Hawkhill, Sinderins, the ‘Blue Mountains’ and the ‘Witches Knowe’.
Keith studied at Duncan of Jordanstone, the old ‘tech’, and then worked as an illustrator for DC Thomson full time for 50 years. He worked on numerous publications including Commando and The Scots Magazine and also worked as a motoring illustrator.
Keith has been interested in Dundee history all his life and this exhibition is the culmination of a personal project that has engrossed him for 50 hours a week for the past 3 years.
Friends of Magdalen Green’s latest newsletter is now available in local shops, Blackness Library, local churches and at other community venues. You can download it here.
Fiddle and accordion in Dundee
Posted: February 16, 2012 in Friends of Wighton, Wighton Heritage Centre |
| Karen Hannah |
On Saturday 18th February, the monthly Cappuccino Concert in Dundee’s Wighton Centre will showcase two young traditional musicans, fiddler Karen Hannah and accordion player Alan Small.
Karen Hannah is a well-known fiddle player and teacher whose music has taken her across Europe and as far afield as New Zealand and South Korea. As well as her solo and duo work, Karen plays in several duos and bands, and is fiddle tutor at the Wighton Heritage Centre. Her recent appearances include two acclaimed concerts at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections.
Former All Scotland Accordion Champion, Allan Small, is probably best known as leader of the famous Lomond Ceilidh Band but he is also an inspiring teacher.
The duo provide a journey through the traditional and contemporary music of Scotland in a performance laced with humour.
The Wighton Centre is a purpose built performance and study space in Dundee Central Library, which contains and displays the internationally important Wighton Collection of old Scottish music books. The Friends of Wighton organise regular concerts and classes in the Centre.
The concert on Saturday starts at 10.30am with complimentary cofffee and newspapers, and the music will be from 11am to 12 noon. Admission is £5.
ALSO …
The next Friends of Wighton Gaelic song class, tutored by Wilma Kennedy is on Saturday 18th February at 10.00am in the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Dundee. Class fees are £3, £1 for under 16s.
Gaelic song class dates from now until the summer break are on Saturdays 10th March, 24th March, 21st April, 12th May and 2nd, 16th and 30th June.
The new Dundee Junior Gaelic Choir will be making their debut at a concert in the Steps Theatre, Central Library on Saturday 3rd March at 3pm. Also appearing will be the Dundee Gaelic Choir, the Wighton Singers and special guests. Admission is by donation.
Wave 102 News – on Homebase site redevelopment
Posted: February 16, 2012 in Homebase, Riverside Drive, Wave 102I was on Wave 102 News yesterday about the proposed redevelopment of the former Homebase site on Riverside Drive. Click ‘play’ to listen :
Download poster here.
Tuesday in the West End …
Posted: February 14, 2012 in Ancrum Place, Morven Terrace, Tullideph Area, West End Community Council
This morning, I had a very productive meeting with the Tullideph sheltered housing tenants at the sheltered lounge (see right). We discussed numerous local issues included safety on the pathway from Logie Street to Tullideph Street/Tullideph Place, local bus services and graffiti.
This afternoon, I had a similar and equally useful meeting with the sheltered tenants of Ancrum Place and Morven Terrace. Issues discussed included pavement repairs that are needed, grass/flower bed maintenance in the area and kitchen/bathroom upgrades.
I have raised all issues mentioned with appropriate council officers.
After a meeting with constituents at teatime, I attended tonight’s West End Community Council meeting, at which there was an interesting presentation from Craig Bartholomew of ADAPT, Dundee CAB‘s money advice service, that is doing great work in helping local people deal with debt and financial hardship. At the Community Council, there was also discussion on numerous local issues such as graffiti and the state of local roundabouts. Tayside Police representatives also gave an update on local policing issues.
I was on the Wave 102 news yesterday about the Blackness Library proposed capital investment yesterday. Click ‘play’ to listen:
Today :
+ I attended the latest meeting of the Balgay Stakeholders Group, at which we discussed various issues affecting Balgay Park and Hill and Victoria Park. I recently raised residents’ concerns about the state of the roadway near to Mills Observatory (mud and potholes) and assurances were given about resolving this. The Conservation Volunteering Day in January was a great success and the next one takes place on Sunday 1st April.
+ I met with Mark Welsh, who will soon become Branch Manager of the new HSBC bank branch in Murraygate. The new £1.8 million HSBC Dundee Branch is a great investment in the city, coming at a time when other banks are contracting their branch network. It was good to hear about HSBC’s plans for this new facility in Dundee – the branch opens on 19th March.
+ I held two ward surgeries – at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre.
+ I participated in tonight’s City Council committees at which :
- At the Housing Committee, I queried progress on the Common Housing Register (to allow Dundee people easier application for housing from multiple housing providers, including housing associations and the City Council).
- At the Environment Committee, I asked about ensuring that new electric car charging facilities are provided for Dundee citizens.
- At the Policy and Resources Committee, I asked about the extent of public access to the City Council’s website (arising out of the Annual Consumer Survey undertaken on behalf of the City Council), opposed yet more councillor attendance at conferences by the SNP administration at council tax payers’ expense and welcomed progress on the council’s commitment to Fairtrade.
I recently raised with the owners of the disused Homebase site on Riverside Drive residents’ concerns about a gap in the security fencing round the site.
The owners, H&H Properties, responded assuring me that a prompt repair would be carried out and this has indeed since taken place.
H&H Properties also confirmed to me that it is intended to start work on-site in late April or early May, with the piling contractor being on-site during May and June.
Although I was opposed to the original planning application as I feel more could be made of this site with stunning views across the River Tay, the fact that development is to move forward will at least ensure that an unsightly gap site will come into a useful future use as apartments close to the City Centre, cultural quarter, V&A at Dundee and the rail station.
Following complaints from residents about the state of the pavements in Windsor Street on its east side (see right), I took up the matter with the City Council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership and have now been promised footpath repairs at both the north and south ends of the street.
University of Dundee Volunteering Fayre
Posted: February 12, 2012 in Liberal Democrats, University of DundeeI’ll be participating along with Dundee Liberal Democrats in supporting the University of Dundee Volunteering Fayre later this month :
You can download the above poster here.
West End Community Council – my February Update
Posted: February 11, 2012 in West End Community Council
I have today launched my February 2012 update for next Tuesday’s West End Community Council meeting. Subjects covered include pavement repairs in Windsor Street, the bank branch closure at the University of Dundee Student Union and safety barrier improvements at Hawkhill.
You can download my update at http://tinyurl.com/weccfeb2012.
The Community Council meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th February at 7pm at Logie St John’s (Cross) Chruch Hall in Shaftesbury Terrace – all residents welcome.
Dundee City Council Budget : An opportunity lost
Posted: February 10, 2012 in Budget, Dundee City Council
At yesterday’s City Council Budget meeting, the Liberal Democrat Group’s amendments to the City Council’s proposed revenue and capital budgets proposed :
* A cut of up to £6 in the Council Tax bills for residents – the Liberal Democrats were the only group to propose a cut in the Council Tax, to assist hard-pressed council taxpayers in challenging financial times.
* A large increase in capital funding for seven primary schools’ improvements (including Blackness and Ancrum Road).
* Removing the cost of one of the two civic cars, cutting out alcohol hospitality budgets and no councillor attendance at conferences.
* Visiting music and PE specialists posts for primary schools and music instructors posts under threat from the SNP would be saved.
* An Unadopted Roads Budget (like the unadopted pavements one as badly conditioned roads such as Shaftesbury Place are excluded from the footpaths budget).
* A new fund to allow parking improvements in areas like Pentland.
We were grateful for the support of other groups and one of the independent councillors but unfortunately the SNP proceeded with its cuts agenda, despite proposing a higher Council Tax than the Liberal Democrats. This will, sadly, see the loss of the music and PE teaching posts. I quoted from an SNP election leaflet at the meeting :
I agree with the sentiment above. The unfortunate thing is that the SNP – who wrote it - don’t. Actions speak so much louder than words.
The steps from Blackness Road to Kelso Street (see right) are not only very useful for residents and many Harris Academy pupils travelling to/from the school from the north of the catchment area, they are also well-used by visitors to Royal Victoria Hospital.
On behalf of residents and visitors, I recently raised with the City Council the need for an extension to the handrail on the steps. I am grateful for the positive response from the council’s transportation division as follows :
“An engineer from my team met the blacksmiths on site and I am now awaiting a quotation for the handrail extension. Depending on quotation received, work load and available budget this will be ordered or retained on file to be ordered in April when new funding is available.”
February West End Community Council Meeting – come along! All residents welcome.
Posted: February 9, 2012 in West End Community Council
