Today’s “Courier” covered the issue of parking enforcement into the evenings, arising out of the decision by Aberdeen City Council to extend its parking enforcement arrangements.
Although there are no immediate proposals to do so in Dundee, as the City Council’s Planning & Transport Convener, I did say that “We always keep a close eye [...]
Archive for October, 2008
Parking enforcement
October 31, 2008Future of HBOS
October 31, 2008I’m pleased that, earlier this week, the Scottish Parliament backed a LibDem motion – by a margin of 61 to 40 – for HBOS to be given access to a £37 billion rescue fund, arguing it should receive the same treatment as other major banks that have been handed the money.
It further made clear that [...]
West End new boxing club update
October 30, 2008Last month, I mentioned a new West End sports initiative was being established – go to http://www.dundeewestend.com/2008/09/another-west-end-sports-initiative.html to view the earlier story.
The West End Amateur Boxing Club’s website is now up and running and many thanks to Emilio Places-Rey for updating me about this and to the City Council for its advice and support for [...]
Riverside Drive and Riverside Approach
October 29, 2008Because of work to improve the sea wall along Riverside Drive, there will be some temporary traffic arrangements starting next Monday (3rd November) for a maximum of 5 working days.
Firstly, the speed limit on Riverside drive between Tesco and the rail bridge (westbound only) will be reduced to 30mph during that period.
Secondly, there will be [...]
Friendly Bus – new stop!
October 27, 2008Following residents’ requests to get the Friendly Bus sheltered shopping service to visit the sheltered housing in Logie, I had this response from Stagecoach Strathtay today:
“… spoke to the driver he said that he will be at the corner of Lime Street and Logie Avenue at 10:10 on Thursdays. He will approach from the Scott [...]
West End Community Map
October 26, 2008Some time ago the City Council published very useful local community maps, including one for the West End, including useful contact details.
The paper copies are now a little out of date in that they list the pre-2007 ward councillors but if you go to http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/dundeecity/uploaded_publications/publication_23.pdf, you can access and print off the online edition, with [...]
Friends of Magdalen Green success!
October 25, 2008A super and very busy morning at Dundee West Church today where Friends of Magdalen Green held their latest coffee morning.
A super success although I have concluded that I am not that fast at buttering scones!
Sheila Roy, Chairperson of the Friends, summed up a thoroughly enjoyable event thus :
“We are delighted with the provisional [...]
Overgrown shrubbery to be tackled
October 24, 2008Regular readers of http://www.dundeewestend.com/ will know that I have highlighted in the past the overgrown shrubbery at the roundabout on Riverside Drive/Avenue near to the Marmalade Pot (see right). I had complaints from residents that pedestrians are finding it difficult to see oncoming traffic.
I am pleased to advise that, following my request that the shrubbery [...]
Focus on Achievement Awards 2008
October 24, 2008Last night, along with other City Councillors, teaching and other education department staff, pupils, parents and other guests, I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Focus on Achievement Awards at the Caird Hall.
It was a superb night, highlighting the great work being done in our schools across the city, and the successes of Dundee [...]
Blackness Centenary Event … and other updates
October 23, 2008A highly enjoyable centenary event took place at Blackness Library yesterday afternoon (here’s me pictured right complete with centenary sash!) There was a really good turnout for the library’s 100th birthday.
Earlier that day, I had four site visits with the Council’s road safety officer regarding traffic and pedestrian crossing issues across the West End.
Later on, [...]
Bus punctuality
October 22, 2008The City Council issued this news release today regarding good news about bus punctuality in Dundee and Angus. I recently spoke with my LibDem colleague in Angus, Cllr David May, about this issue – David is the Angus Council Infrastructure Convener – and we are both pleased to see the partnership develop between our councils [...]
Update on proposed Riverside Nature Park
October 21, 2008The City Council has just issued the following news release about the proposed Riverside Nature Park, following discussions I recently had with the Environmental Services Convener about the matter. I am anxious to see progress on this as very many constituents rightly want to see the area opened to the public as soon as possible [...]
Radio Tay, Surgeries and Development Quality Committee
October 20, 2008A useful meeting with Radio Tay this morning regarding concerns Alison McInnes MSP and I have raised about evening output on Tay FM; Bauer Radio has assured us the matter will be kept under review. Thereafter three busy surgeries – Paton’s Lane Sheltered Lounge, Mitchell Street Centre and Harris Academy.
Tonight at the Development Quality Committee, [...]
Joint Surgery with Alison McInnes MSP
October 19, 2008Alison McInnes, LibDem MSP for North East Scotland, is visiting Dundee tomorrow.
We are jointly visiting Radio Tay’s studios to discuss with Bauer Radio, who own Radio Tay, our concerns about the recent changes to Tay FM evening programming, which removes local output.
Later, from 1pm to 1.45pm, we are holding a joint surgery at the [...]
Things getting difficult for the SNP
October 19, 2008There is little cheer for the nationalists in this Sunday’s newspapers. In reporting the comments of Professor John Kay, “Scotland on Sunday” sort of sums up the general theme :
‘An independent Scottish economy would be “awful” in the present financial climate, one of Alex Salmond’s key economic advisers said last night. … Kay, a member [...]
Busy Friday … and High Mill Update
October 18, 2008A busy day yesterday, including :
* Attending the 2008 Poppy Appeal launch at the City Chambers.
* A meeting with the City Council Leader – the Council autumn recess has just finished and its back to council committee meetings on Monday.
* A meeting with two representatives of the City Centre and Harbour Community Council (DCCHCC) [...]
Planning Appeal Decision – Land west of Richmond Terrace
October 17, 2008A busy day, on which I’ll report over the weekend, but, having earlier today received the outcome of the Planning Appeal in relation to the land west of Richmond Terrace, this is yet another example of the Scottish Government Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals (“the Reporter”) flying in the face of concerns about residential [...]
Tavish Scott in Dundee tonight
October 16, 2008Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, Tavish Scott MSP, met University of Abertay students at the university this evening.
Tavish gave a very interesting talk and there was then an wide-ranging question and answer session.
Here’s Tavish pictured with LibDem activist and Abertay student Chris Hall.
Blackness Library Centenary next week!
October 16, 2008I have had previous posts (see http://www.dundeewestend.com/2008/03/western-cemetery-association-and.html) about the impending celebrations of Blackness Library’s Centenary, which takes place next week.
We had a very useful update on the arrangements at Tuesday’s West End Community Council meeting, and it was stressed that all are welcome to attend the events taking place.
Here’s an overview of the centenary events [...]
Friends of Magdalen Green Coffee Morning
October 15, 2008The Friends of Magdalen Green (see http://www.magdalengreen.btik.com/)are having another one of their excellent coffee mornings a week on Saturday (25th October) at Dundee West Church on Perth Road.
It takes place between 10am and 12 noon – all welcome; admission £1.50.
Stalls include cake & candy, cards & crafts and calendars & books.
Death of Eddie Thompson
October 15, 2008The death of Eddie Thompson has been announced by Dundee United FC this morning. The people of Dundee, whatever football team they support will learn of the news with great sadness. Eddie Thompson made an immense contribution to the sporting and business life of the City and he will be very sadly missed.
Here is the [...]
Good news from rail travellers
October 14, 2008A news release today from the City Council with good news on rail services to and from the City :
IMPROVED RAIL SERVICES FOR DUNDEE
Fraser Macpherson, Dundee City Council Convener of Planning and Transport and Chair of Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership (TACTRAN), has welcomed a planned increase in the frequency of First ScotRail services [...]
Scottish LibDem Autumn Conference
October 14, 2008I was in Liverpool on Saturday, so unfortunately missed the Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference, but here’s a good video piece from the Herald in which Tavish calls for the Scottish Parliament to use its tax varying powers for the first time.
See : http://www.dundeewestend.com/2008/10/scottish-libdem-autumn-conference.html
Dundee Forum campaigns against irresponsible website
October 13, 2008The Dundee Forum (www.dundeeforum.co.uk) has e-mailed me today as follows:
“Please help ban the internet site littlehooliganz.com which promotes the carrying of knives, mugging old people and carrying baseball bats and fighting.
Go to www.littlehooliganz.co.uk – which has been set-up today to counter this vile site.”
From there you can sign the petition against littlehooliganz.com; you can also [...]
New family addition!
October 13, 2008Here’s me with our new family puppy, Bunty, and another couple of photos of her!
Arc of non-prosperity
October 12, 2008Alex Salmond has been continually giving us the benefit of his dubious advice on the world economic crisis, so let’s look back at what he had to say in August 2006. To quote the SNP website:
“SNP Leader Alex Salmond has today called for Scotland to join northern Europe’s arc of prosperity, with Ireland to [...]
My latest Community Council Update
October 11, 2008Today I launched my October 2008 update to West End Community Council.
Subjects covered include :
* Airport Noise – action taken
* Union Place – Road and pedestrian safety concerns
* High Mill
* West End Christmas Week 2008
* Hawkhill crossing concern
* Al-Maktoum Cultural Centre
* Seymour Avenue footpaths
* West End Phone Boxes
The Community Council meets next Tuesday (14th October) [...]
Ofcom : poor consultation by BT on phone box removals
October 10, 2008As regular readers of this blog will know (see : http://www.dundeewestend.com/2008/09/phone-box-removal-lack-of-consultation.html), I complained to Ofcom regarding the fact that British Telecom has decided to remove two telephone boxes in the West End without actually bothering to consult anyone first – something I consider bad practice – whatever the merits or demerits of removing the boxes.
Ofcom [...]
McCain Loses It : Calls Americans ‘My Fellow Prisoners’
October 9, 2008OK, I am no fan of the Republicans and I think McCain is simply not up to the job, in extremely difficult times. See http://www.dundeewestend.com/2008/10/mccain-loses-it-calls-americans-fellow_09.html
As Tory commentator Iain Dale said “Not good. Not good at all.”
Obama deserves to win and judging by the polls, he will.
