Alison McInnes MSP on climate change

Was pleased to see North East Scotland MSP (and Scottish Liberal Democrat Climate Change spokesperson), Alison McInnes, last week call for the Scottish Government to take real action against climate change, so that Scotland takes a leading role in tackling this global challenge.
Alison said, “Just over a year ago the First Minister outlined his new [...]

West End forthcoming events

Mills Observatory

Mills Observatory’s Summer Programme includes the following :

Wednesday 2nd July : Water Rockets
Wednesday 9th July : Constellations
Tuesday 15th July : Solar Systems
Tuesday 22nd July : Space Models
Tuesday 29th July : Planet Trail
Wednesday 6th August : Story telling
All take place between 2pm and 4pm and are aimed at children aged 8 to 11 [...]

Post Offices – news update

Following the meeting between Dundee City Councillors and Post Office Limited yesterday, I’ve now written to the other West End City Councillors suggesting a West End cross-party campaign to co-ordinate efforts to save the threatened Post Offices at Lochee Road and Nethergate, Dundee.
I was pleased that all four West End Ward councillors had attended the [...]

Waterfront – and a dynamic city

With thanks to one of the City Centre & Harbour Community Council folk (a community council I used to work closely with, but the local government boundary commission regrettably put paid to that) … if you click on the headline above, you can see Dundee Waterfront (and more) featured on the “skyscrapercity” site.

Furthermore, the photos [...]

Recycling paper and cardboard – an update!

I recently made enquiries on behalf of constituents about the recycling of cardboard – previously not available from the kerbside blue bin collection.

One resident mentioned to me that although she had noticed cardboard in her blue bin was now collected, any overflow left neatly adjacent to the bin was not collected.

Here’s the response [...]

There’s a whiff of insurrection in the air …

Nick Clegg MP, LibDem Leader, in today’s “Daily Telegraph” :
The fuel protests hammer home a clear message. After the 10p tax rebellion, the local elections, and the Crewe by-election, no one can doubt the mood of the country any more. There is insurrection in the air. The British people are ready for change and they [...]

Save our Post Offices!

Like many residents locally, I am extremely dismayed to learn that – of the 4 Post Offices announced as to be closed in the Dundee City Council area – two are in the West End Ward, one in Lochee Road – the other being the Nethergate Post Office.

Having received the very bulky recorded delivery mailing [...]

Hird Bridge reopens in Balgay Park

Was delighted to attend the reopening of the Hird Bridge this morning in Balgay Park – beautifully restored. A great turnout from the local community.
If you click the headline above, you can read the article in the “Evening Telegraph” from two years ago, when the announcement of the restoration project was originally made. It was [...]

Back from Stornoway …

I was in Stornoway yesterday with the “day job” addressing a group of the local authority’s elected members – a thoroughly enjoyable experience, but a very long day (up at 4.30am; back home 10pm and playing “catch up” today!)

It was a beautiful day in Stornoway as you can see from the photos – Stornoway Harbour [...]

Eurovision 2008 – voting farce as usual …

No real surprise that the UK came joint-last. The song was absolutely dreadful.
That said, no matter how awful the song, Greece can always be relied on to give a maximum 12 points to Cyprus and Russia will vote for the Ukraine.
The Eurovision Song Contest has long since become as famous for political [...]

Army of Lovers – Crucified

The entry from Portugal at last night’s Eurovision didn’t half bear a resemblence to this from Army of Lovers.

GoNorth 2008

Good to see the fact that Dundee will play host to one of the most exciting events in Scotland’s musical calendar – GoNorth 2008 – on 5th and 6th June 2008.

The acclaimed music industry convention and new music showcase will include live performances by over 60 unsigned bands and solo artists from all over the [...]

City of Discovery video

From the City of Discovery website :

Dundee – City of Discovery is the jewel of North East of Scotland.

In a setting on the banks of the River Tay described by actor and raconteur Stephen Fry as ‘ludicrously ideal’, Dundee offers a peerless quality of life.

Modern Dundee is a city of discovery, diversity and [...]

Capital infrastructure projects

Further to my blog entry earlier this week regarding Claypotts Castle Primary School and the issue of the funding of capital projects across Scotland, the Scottish Government has now unveiled its much hyped plans for a “Scottish Futures Trust” to pay for major infrastructure projects, such as new schools and hospitals.
The reaction to the Scottish [...]

Donna Summer – Last dance

Totally irrelevant stuff again … ITV2 tonight (why is anyone reduced to this?!) but its the American Idol final and a total blast from the past (well, my past …) on comes Donna Summer. Say what you like – superb, classic.
The Gladys Knight “Midnight Train To Georgia” bit was superb too!

And … Friday!

A busy Friday, mainly on the “day job”, but useful meetings on refuse collection and transport matters and also a useful meeting with the new Police Inspector for our area (and a very good appointment – she was a few years ago an extremely effective sergeant in the area).

At the latest meeting of the Beacon [...]

Thursday Updates …

A very productive site visit at the Benvie Road steps this morning. It had been previously agreed to upgrade the steps and I met with the Waste Management and Planning & Transportation Departments to look at the issues and agree solutions.

Agreed :

Waste Management to remove paint on the steps and remove weeds, etc. As [...]

Parking issue again

The “Evening Telegraph” contacted me recently following residents’ concerns about the parking situation and a report appears in tonight’s edition – click on the headline above to view.

Wednesday

A busy day today – this afternoon, after a couple of site visits about traffic issues in the West End, I attended the first meeting of the Magdalen Green History Group which is meeting in Blackness Library on Wednesdays 1.30pm-3pm until 25th June. It was a good start and many useful ideas raised for future [...]

Friends of Magdalen Green

A well attended public meeting last night at Dundee West Church Hall, and a very interesting and entertaining talk by Andrew Gray on his participation in last year’s Special Olympics in China.

The winners of the Friends of Magdalen Green Photography Competition were announced (more details about this are on the Friends’ website – click on [...]

Couple of updates

A couple of updates on issues from earlier today :

The bin collection for part of Seafield Lane finally got done this morning – a day late – thanks to badly parked cars causing an obstruction. What residents find really annoying is the vehicles don’t belong to local residents. I’m pleased that, through the residents’ parking [...]

From Help the Aged …

Dear Councillor Macpherson
We’re very grateful for your support of our Just Equal Treatment campaign over the past year, and keep a regular eye on your blog for updates you may receive following your letters to ministers.
As the forthcoming Equality Bill looms closer, we’re intensifying our campaign, and have launched a viral video to highlight just [...]

Friends of Magdalen Green – update!

Two upcoming events from Friends of Magdalen Green!

The first is the public meeting tomorrow – Tuesday 20th May – at 7pm in Dundee West Church.

The evening will include a talk by Andrew Gray, the local swimmer who took part, very successfully, in the Special Olympics in China.

The results of the photo competition will be announced [...]

Overgrown grass at Technology Park

I’ve received complaints from residents about the overgrown grass at the Technology Park (particularly in Riverside Avenue to the front of the technology park) and immediately east of West Loan in Perth Road – opposite Clovius Duveau Drive.

I have been in touch with Scottish Enterprise and Dundee Contract Services about both areas – asking for [...]

CCTV in the West End

Following the incident at Londis earlier this week (click on headline to view), I have now written to the Chief Constable in the following terms :

Chief Constable John Vine BA MCIPDTayside PoliceP O Box 59West Bell StreetDUNDEEDD1 9JU
Dear Chief Constable
Provision of CCTV – Perth Road west of Roseangle
Following the recent armed robbery incident at a [...]

SNP shambles on PE targets

During last week’s FMQs, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, Nicol Stephen MSP challenged the First Minister to provide clarity on the SNP’s mixed message for physical education targets in schools.
“In March, a Government spin doctor said that the guarantee of two hours of physical education had been dropped, but the First Minister issued [...]

Riverside Drive

Pleased to see the resurfacing I asked for in Riverside Drive (south of Vernonholme; immediately north of the bridge up from the Marmalade Pot) has been carried out – see right.

Ancrum Road Primary School

Prior to the creation of the West End Ward, there were three primary schools in my former Tay Bridges Ward – Park Place, St Joseph’s and Blackness.

Over the years, you get to know the schools well – and realise how lucky the West End is to have such excellent primary schools, with dedicated [...]

Wendy Moten – Come In Out Of The Rain

OK, its Friday night, Janet’s out with her mum, my younger son’s been round, but now I’m reduced to the Smashhits! channel on Sky as I create a marketing brochure (day job) … and then this comes on. So 90s, but brilliant!

Dundee Waterfront – The Future

With thanks to the City Council’s Economic Development Department, who gave me the CD, here’s a glimpse of Dundee’s Waterfront of the future. As Planning & Transport Convener of the City Council, I am a member of the Waterfront Board, and am taking a very close interest in developments. You [...]