Have A Go Activity Packs!



A really useful update from Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action :
 
“We are working in partnership with HOPE and Grey Lodge to put together activity packs to encourage older people to continue to keep active during lockdown.  We want them to know that they are not alone and to encourage them to keep active both mentally and physically.  These packs will provide practical items to keep people active during the ongoing restrictions therefore helping with their overall health and wellbeing. These packs will be hand delivered by volunteers and allow people to feel connected to the community and give reassurance they have not been forgotten.  The packs will also contain information on services that can help during this time again to help the person feel supported. 
 
We are concerned about the numbers of older people who are telling us that they are worried about the restrictions lifting and as a result are scared to go out and get back to whatever the new ‘normal’ will look like as well as those who are keen but who will have lost their physical strength.  
 
For each referral, we will deliver 3 activity packs to older people identified as being socially isolated, digitally excluded and who are needing a little something to keep them going that will improve their wellbeing and positivity – at the start of July, August and September. 
 
The first will contain activities to improve mental health and keep the brain ticking over; the second will look at physical health and the 3rd will contain information on what redesigned services might look like by then with social distancing measures in place. 
The first activity pack will be issued at the end start of July and will provide practical items to keep people active during the ongoing restrictions of lockdown both mentally and physically therefore helping with their overall health and wellbeing.  The packs will include adult activity puzzles, colouring in books, colouring pencils atc and service information sheet for those needing support.  Books and jigsaws can be added on request. 
 
The second activity pack will be issued at the start of August and will take the form of a newsletter that will address mindfulness and physical health.  We will include more strength building easy exercises sheets to help prevent falls.  Additional activity sheets will be provided along with local history stories and puzzles. 
This pack will also address what supporting people will need to get back out into the community. 
The third pack will be delivered at the start of September hopefully when restrictions in the greatest part will be closer to being removed.  This pack will therefore be about looking forward and planning to get out and about again.  It will be in the form of a further newsletter and will contain information on local services that have re-opened/ are re-opening and what services’ new working procedures look like.   We plan to include a reusable face mask and hand sanitiser to add in to this pack as people may be wary of going out without these items and it has been difficult sourcing these items from local shops.
 
We are keen to reach people in particular who would struggle to gain access to this information otherwise as they dont have the digital means or social networks to keep them informed.
 
We are looking to reach people who are:

• aged 55 and over
• socially isolated
• digitally excluded
• and who’s wellbeing could be improved if they were to receive a pack.  
 
If interested, please contact Maureen at HOPE on 0300 123 2640 option 2 and ask for Maureen at HOPE or by using the email HOPE@Hillcrest.org.uk with the name, address, age and telephone number of the person you would like to receive this.  
 
Please note the closing date for referrals is this Friday – 3rd July – as we hope to deliver the following week. Numbers are limited. 
 
This project has been made possible due to funding received from The Big Lottery Supporting Communities Fund.”

Further update for 30th June during the COVID-19 emergency

 
Further update – for Tuesday 30th June – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry) :
 
FURTHER RELEASE OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
There is to be further easing of the lockdown. These changes are dependent on the continued suppression of the virus.
 
From Thursday 2nd July
• Subject to the go ahead of from advisors we may see relaxation of 2 metre physical distancing- based on scientific recommendations. This may see facemasks made mandatory in shops from that date.
 
From Friday 3rd July
• You can travel for more than five miles for leisure and recreation purposes.
• Self-contained holiday accommodation – for example holiday cottages and lodges, or caravans where there are no shared services – can open. The tourism sector will not open fully until the 15 July.
 
From Monday 6th July
• Outdoor hospitality such as beer gardens can re-open.
 
From 10th July
• Households will be able to meet people from more households outdoors.
 
From 13th July
• Organised outdoor sports for children and young people can resume.
• Non-essential shops within indoor shopping centres will re-open.
 
From 15th July
• A household will be able to meet indoors with people from up to two other households.
• Indoor locations such as museums, galleries, monuments, cinemas and libraries will also be able to reopen. Tickets must be secured in advance. Theatres, bingo halls, nightclubs, casinos and other ‘live’ entertainment venues will not re-open until a later date.
• Pubs and restaurants will open indoors.
• Hairdressers and barbers will re-open. Other personal retail services will remain closed until a later date.
 
SCHOOLS TO REOPEN IN AUGUST
It is now the intention for pupils to return to school full time on August 11th.
 
Willie supports the change. Many parents and pupils will be relieved as it now means children and young people will get the education they need, and we can get back on top of the inequality gap.
 
However, many teachers, who are already exhausted from the last few months of remote teaching, were taken by surprise and are anxious about what it means for their safety.
 
Willie has been pressing the government on whether they will have time to adapt to the new arrangements, whether they will have the resources and whether they will be tested. Shielding teachers and pupils also need clarity.
 
 
CHILDCARE
Willie Rennie MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, has asked repeatedly about childcare, especially over the summer, for thousands of parents returning to work. If parents are being asked by the government to return to work, the government has a duty to ensure there is enough childcare for them.
 
Willie takes a cautious approach on easing the lockdown because he wants people to be safe but the new plan to ease the lockdown remains disjointed. Parents are being asked to go back to work by the government when childminders and nurseries are limited in capacity until the middle of July.
 
Outdoor children’s summer clubs and activities will also not be allowed to open for another few weeks. It seems illogical to allow outdoor pubs to open before outdoor summer clubs for children.
 
He will continue to press the government for a joined-up plan.
 
RESTARTING MORE HEALTH SERVICES
Willie Rennie MSP has also been making the case for the restart of health services because of the impact delayed operations and treatment has on the health of lots of people. Now progress is being made.
 
Urgent referrals and triage of routine services in key specialties such as Cardiology, Urology, and Trauma and Orthopaedics, will be resumed gradually.
 
Health boards will reintroduce any suspended GP services. Patients will be triaged by telephone. There will be a greater use of telephone and video consultations.
 
From yesterday, health boards are able to gradually resume some screening services including endoscopies and other diagnostic tests.
 
Also from yesterday all community optometry practices are able to resume seeing patients face-to-face who have emergency and essential eye problems, as well as continuing to manage as many of these patients remotely as possible. The Emergency Eyecare Treatment Centres closes.
 
From Monday 6th July, health boards will reintroduce some chronic disease management, which could include pain services, diabetic services.
 
 
CARE HOME VISITING
Care home residents will be able to receive visitors outside from 3rd July.
 
A single nominated visitor wearing a face covering face covering can meet a care home resident out of doors.
 
Controlled indoor visits and wider use of communal areas by residents might be introduced later but only if the home has been COVID-free throughout the pandemic or if all affected residents have fully recovered and no residents have had symptoms for 28 days.
 
 
SHIELDING
The Government plan to move away from the current position of blanket guidance for all shielding people, to more tailored advice about risk and how to mitigate it.
 
Willie Rennie MSP asked the Health Secretary this week about advice for those over 70. Many have been shielding when it was not necessary and others have not been careful enough. She said new advice would be published soon.
 
HEALTH AND CARE STAFF TESTING
Staff who work in specialist cancer services, or provide long-term care for the elderly, as well as staff working in residential mental health, will be offered weekly coronavirus testing from 8th July.
 
In addition, from June 29th all staff in hospitals and care home who interact with patients or residents will be required to wear a medical face mask throughout their shift. Anyone entering care homes and hospitals will also be asked to wear a face covering throughout. Face coverings will also be required when attending a hospital appointment.
 
 
DENTISTS
Dental practices will be able to see NHS patients who need urgent care for face-to-face consultation, using procedures which limit the risk of spread of the coronavirus such as non-aerosol generating procedures. This will mean up to an additional 10,000 appointment slots will be available per day across Scotland.
 
 
HOMELESSNESS
Willie asked the Housing Minister how he was going to keep homelessness down after the pandemic. Great efforts have been made by councils and charities to cut the number of people without a home but we need a long term solution. The minister gave examples of the plans being made and the additional housing capacity built.
 
B & B HARDSHIP FUND
The new Bed and Breakfast Hardship Fund is designed to support small serviced accommodation providers who have not been able to access support through other government backed schemes as a result of their banking status.
 
 
TOURISM ADVICE
There is new guidance for the tourism and hospitality sector, including procedures for staff and customer safety and an operations checklist.
 
 
MOVING HOME
From yesterday, all home moves are permitted. This includes students moving home and other home moves resulting in two households merging. It also applies to custom and self-builders looking to acquire a plot or a property to renovate or to demolish.
 
People can leave their homes in order to move home and undertake activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property including:
• visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes
• viewing a residential property to look for a property to buy or rent
• preparing a residential property to move in
• moving home or
• visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.
People working for relevant organisations and businesses can also travel to work where necessary in order to undertake these activities in a safe manner.
 
 
RETAIL GUIDANCE
There is new guidance for shops and customers.
 
 
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
From yesterday, you are able to register the birth of your baby.    Contact Dundee 435222 or email registrars@dundeecity.gov.uk  – your name will be added to the list in order and the team will make an appointment for you in due course.
 
Also from yesterday, marriage and civil partnership ceremonies can take place outdoors, with up to a maximum of eight people and observing physical distancing measures.
 
INFORMATION
 
 
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
 
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
 
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only – 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list – 0800 111 4000
 
 
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
 
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
 
Health Protection Scotland Guidance – www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
 
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
 
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
 
Ready Scotland Information – www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
 
Tayside Cares – www.taysidecares.co.uk
 
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
 
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
 
CONTACT DETAILS
 
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
 
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
 
 

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend



Please note that most works are subject to change and late completion due to the restrictive measures in place following UK and Scottish Government advice that only emergency/urgent works and those considered essential should take place during this period.

 
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 29 JUNE 2020
 
20mph speed limit zone road marking and traffic sign works commencing Monday 29 June 2020 for 2 weeks to improve road safety for the higher levels of pedestrians and cyclists in the following streets in the Perth Road area:  Roseangle, Magdalen Yard Road, Richmond Terrace, Richmond Court, Fort Street, Nethergate from its junction with West Marketgait to its junction with Perth Road, Perth Road from its junction with Nethergate to its junction with Hawkhill, Minto Place, Strawberrybank, Osborne Place (where adopted), Shepherds Loan, Taylors Lane, Spinners Wynd, Union Place, Step Row, Patons Lane, McGonagall Square, Tayfield Place, Provost McGowan Place, Thomson Street, Seafield Lane, Seafield Road, Seafield Close, Bellfield Avenue, Magdalen Place, Westfield Lane, Westfield Place, Westfield Avenue, Greenfield Place, Park Place (where adopted), Pennycook Lane, St Peter Street, Ryehill Lane, West Wynd, Mid Wynd, Millers Wynd (where adopted), Springfield, Hawkhill Place, Artillery Lane, Cross Lane, Temple Lane, South Tay Street, Palais Court, Tay Street Lane, Tay Square, Long Wynd, West Port, Old Hawkhill and Hunter Street.

Buses update from 29th June 2020

 
From Dundee City Council :
 
From Monday, 29 June 2020, the commercial and supported bus network in Dundee will begin to return to something close to its pre-Covid levels.   Xplore Dundee and Stagecoach are proposing to operate around 80% to 85% of their registered journeys.   For the last three months around 30% of journeys have been operated.    To allow this to happen, there has been a deal negotiated between the Scottish Government and the bus industry and Transport Scotland has agreed to meet shortfalls in passenger revenue.  Full details can be found on operators’ websites.
 
In Dundee, the two supported services operated by Stagecoach East Scotland (Service 202 and Service 206) will commence operation again.  They were suspended in March 2020.  The other supported services, Service 236 operated by Moffat & Williamson and Service 9/10 (Outer Circle) operated by Xplore Dundee have continued to operate throughout lockdown. 
 
There is expected to be further changes in late summer which will hopefully see a further increase in frequencies and service provision.
 
Prior to lockdown, Xplore Dundee had consulted on a number of service changes that were due to take effect on 12 April 2020.  These changes will be implemented this weekend.
 
We will update all our real time information and all bus users are being asked to refer to Traveline Scotland and bus operator websites for accurate and up to date timetables.   We are not currently in a position to update roadside publicity but will keep this under review. 

Another update during the COVID-19 emergency

 
Further update – for Tuesday 23rd June – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry) :
 
EASING OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS – MOVING TO PHASE 2
People who are shielding are now able to leave their home for exercise and to meet with one other household outdoors (max eight people in total) with physical distancing. People who are shielding can take part in non-contact outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, fishing etc.
 
People who are not shielding can now meet with more households outside. The limit increased from meeting one other household to meeting two households; eight-person overall limit and need for physical distancing remains. They can also use toilets indoors while visiting the outdoors of another household. (Hygiene measures are essential.)
 
People living alone or single people who live with their children can ‘bubble up’ with another household to create an extended household and act without social distancing as if they were living together. This includes non-cohabiting couples.
 
Also – from yesterday : 
 
• Face coverings are mandatory on public transport.
• Places of worship can re-open for individual prayer or contemplation.
• Professional sport can resume – with public health restrictions remaining in place.
• Dental practices can re-open to see patients with urgent care needs.
• Construction sector can implement remaining phases of sectoral plan.
• College and university staff can return to make essential preparations for restart later.
• Accommodation can be provided for those required to stay away from home for work purposes.
 
From Monday 29th June: 
 
• Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented. Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.
• Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres / malls remain closed for non-essential shops.
• Outdoor markets can re-open.
• Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.
• Outdoor sports courts can re-open.
• Playgrounds can re-open.
• Registration offices open for high priority tasks.
• Marriages & civil partnerships allowed with minimal attendees – outdoors only.
• Zoos and garden attractions can open for local access only (5 miles).
• Review and announcement on how pubs and restaurants can open outdoor spaces safely on 2 July
 
 
 
FACE COVERINGS
With face coverings becoming mandatory on transport from Monday, the UK government have produced a guide for people to make their own: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering
 
Please remember that medical grade masks are in short supply and are needed by our frontline workers.
 
CONTINUATION OF FOOD PROVISION AND FREE SCHOOL PAYMENTS OVER SUMMER
 
Children and families in Dundee will continue receiving their free school meal payments over the summer holiday period.    The scheme will be extended from 29th June until 10th August in order to minimise the effects Coronavirus (Covid-19) is having on families.   The extension was agreed today by the leaders of the political groups on Dundee City Council under essential business arrangements.
 
Since lockdown began, over 6,800 families with children eligible for free school meals have received the weekly payments directly to their bank accounts. The extension will mean families will continue to receive £11.25 directly, on a weekly basis, per child.     Additionally, the Council’s will continue support for the city’s Food Insecurity Network with continued financial support to Dundee’s community food banks for food provision efforts over the summer holiday period.
 
The community food provision efforts have led to over 4,400 people benefiting from the service per week, which is a collaborative effort by 24 local food organisations, Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action and Dundee City Council.
 
Furthermore, Dundee Bairns have successfully been working with the Council since the start of lockdown to meet food demand, distributing up to 740 packed lunches daily through their network of community organisations. This will continue during the holiday period.
 
GREEN HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
The Green Health Prescription project still accepting referrals to help mitigate the adverse health effects of COVID-19. 
In order to help combat the effects of social isolation, loneliness, stress, lack of physical activity and other side-effects detrimental to wellbeing it will continue to welcome self-referrals. If you or anyone you know could benefit from engaging with some level of physical activity, please contact us at GreenHealth@dvva.scot or on 07719 969 629.
 
The Partnership indicates, “We are currently working on creating a bespoke programme of activities delivered online for those who are 50+. Please get in touch if you would like to hear more about these activities and how they will be delivered.
Registered prescribers are encouraged to continue sending Green Health Prescription referrals so that we can help people start to rebuild their confidence and physical abilities. Priority will be given to those most vulnerable and affected by poor mental and physical health, and we will endeavour to help patients socialise again and access the outdoors for health benefits either through means of home-based activities.”
 
INFORMATION
 
 
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
 
 
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only – 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list – 0800 111 4000
 
 
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
 
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
 
Health Protection Scotland Guidance – www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
 
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
 
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
 
Ready Scotland Information – www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
 
Tayside Cares – www.taysidecares.co.uk
 
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
 
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
 
CONTACT DETAILS
 
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
 
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
 
 

Biodiversity initiatives for the West End and across the city

Numerous constituents have contacted me and the City Council’s environment team in Neighbourhood Services about trying to keep biodiversity gains as the maintenance of parks and other open-spaces re-starts.   Residents will shortly notice the maintenance in parks and open space areas starts up again as there has been good progress with the re-start of ‘phase one’ of the resumption of services – for example in cemeteries and sheltered housing areas.
 
The Head of Environment has advised :
 
“… over the last 3 months, I have received substantial correspondence from residents requesting that the council actively considers not defaulting to previous grounds maintenance programmes, particularly in relation to reinstating grass cutting and herbicide usage. That, instead, the council takes this opportunity to consider a reset within our parks and green spaces which allows the further rapid development and expansion of bio-diverse and naturalised areas.
 
As the service emerges out of lockdown, in managing our environment there is also a requirement to balance active promotion of conservation practices and the desires of many within our communities with the need to maintain high environmental standards which also respects the wishes of our many other residents who wish to see a priority towards returning parks and green spaces to a high level of maintenance, preferably being restored at the earliest opportunity. 
 
Recently, residents within the city’s West End, through discussion with local members, their Community Council and the Friends of Magdalen Green, have been working with council officers to undertake a community consultation. This actively seeks the views of residents to determine the appetite for a number of naturalised zones to be created; and for their potential future development as biodiversity areas which actively promotes the preservation of species and development of wider ecosystems. 
 
Please see the link here.
 
It is hoped that the Magdalen Green consultation will provide a useful benchmark from which similar community initiatives, where required, can be replicated across the city to ensure that local spaces are managed to meet the aspirations of the wider communities, which they serve. 
 
In the meantime, however, there is a requirement, prior to commencing with the wider reinstatement of grass cutting operations,  to consider the immediate opportunity for additional locations throughout the city to be re-evaluated to support the wider introduction of biodiversity and naturalised areas at a quicker pace. This window is only available at this time due to the unique circumstances that have arisen over the last couple of months through routine maintenance having ceased, due to the pandemic. 
 
In preparation, officers have undertaken an extensive citywide survey which has initially identified over 700,000m2 of parks and green spaces (around 17.5% of the overall grass that is currently maintained within Dundee’s parks and green spaces), which can be immediately designated as provisional Biodiversity or Naturalised Zones. These areas have been carefully selected from within each ward in the city. 
 
The proposal initially is that as wider grounds maintenance activities resume citywide, these zones will be clearly defined and no further grass cutting or herbicide treatment will take place forthwith. It should also be noted that, through careful selection, these zones are being created within wider areas where a full range of grounds and parks maintenance activities will resume. It is therefore anticipated that these will not impact in any significant way to the overall appearance of the park or green space which they contribute towards. Indeed, it is likely in many cases, through the development of biodiversity zones and wildflower areas, these areas will actively enhance the beauty of our parks and green spaces.
 
It is also worth noting that careful attention has been taken, in identifying these proposed zones, that they will not impinge on existing pathways, sight lines, or within close proximity of residents homes. Similarly, care has been taken to ensure that the existing natural desire lines used by park users and particularly dog walkers will be unaffected by these proposals. There may also need for similar community engagement, to that currently underway at Magdalen Green, where required, however it is anticipated that there equally may be broad acceptance of these proposals, given the current collective support towards the protection and enhancement of our environment.
 
In summary, I believe that the above represents a significant and positive shift towards delivering upon actions that have been identified both within the city’s Biodiversity Plan and underlines a renewed focus towards our wider responsibility to the environment and reinvigorating our parks.”
 
In the West End, the actual proposals for naturalised areas are below.   They cover part of the area on Riverside Drive near the playing fields and sections of Lochee Park, Victoria Park and at Elliot Road.  There’s also Magdalen Green as the Head of Environment has alluded to above and you can see the areas consulted upon there at the link in his above comments.
 
I have spoken with the Head of Environment about this and given him some feedback.    For example, the Elliot Road proposals, in my view, have the potential to look untidy and some residents on Eton Street look right out onto this.   However, what is important is that, once open space and parks maintenance is fully back up to date, residents see what these actually look like, give their views and the council listens to any concerns and is responsive to them.

 

 

 

Update about recycling centres

 
From the City Council :
 
Dundee City Council is to expand its recycling service to residents by extending operating hours and accepting more waste materials.
 
From Monday 22nd June, residents will have to access Baldovie Household Waste Recycling Centre from 9am to 8pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on the weekends. The Riverside recycling centre will also expand hours to 9am to 5pm daily.
 
The facilities will begin accepting clothing & textiles, batteries, fluorescent tubes, oil, TV’s & monitors, soil and turf in addition to the previous materials, such as general waste, garden waste, wood, metals, rubble, fridges & freezers, and gas cylinders & bottles.
 
Additional vehicles will be granted access to the centres from Monday if they have the relevant permit. This will include vans, pick-ups, 8 to 11 seated mini-buses and vehicles with a single-axle trailer being accepted on site.
 
The revised service comes as the Council continues its recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Household Waste Recycling Centres will maintain its strict guidelines and physical distancing at all times.
 
A number of rules must be followed in order to maintain a safe and controlled environment.
These include :
 
• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or self-isolating should NOT visit any HWRC site;
• The number of cars on site will be strictly limited;
• No commercial vans or twin-axle trailers will be allowed;
• Individuals should only visit when necessary, avoid queues and consider revisiting when quieter;
• No business waste will be accepted;
• We will be unable to provide assistance on site so only load items you can unload yourself;
• No walk-in disposals of waste will be allowed;
• The two-metre physical distancing rule must be respected at all times.
 
Further guidance on the Household Waste Recycling Centres is available on the Dundee City Council website here.    


Residents are advised to check the website and social media channels before traveling, as rules are subject to change.

Getting things done – Clayhills Drive #dundeewestend

 
Following some pothole repairs in Clayhills Drive, residents asked me if the promised improvements to the road surface would still be possible this year, so I took this matter up with the council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership.
 
The partnership manager has responded positively as follows :
 
“We are currently only undertaking essential works, which in reference to Clayhills Drive has been the filling of potholes which constituted a safety defect.
Planned maintenance works, such as scheme patching and resurfacing, are to recommence once operating restrictions are relaxed.  
I can confirm it is our intension to undertake planned structural inlay patching works at Clayhills Drive in the current financial year.
When we recommence operations it’ll be on a phased return basis over the first month. The existing planned works programme has gone awry following lockdown. In addition to the implications of a phased resource return, we will also have a compressed summer window to undertake the seasonal works activities like surface dressing, footway slurry sealing, school playground resurfacing etc. 
 
We also have new priority projects such as the Spaces for People 20mph and traffic management projects, plus the completion of committed timescale works and works suspended at lockdown. 
 
We are reviewing the programme constraints however it is likely that structural inlay sites such as Clayhills Drive will move backwards in the delivery year to Autumn/Winter.”

Latest update during the COVID-19 emergency

 
Further update – for Tuesday 16th June – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry) :
 
EASING THE LOCKDOWN – POSSIBLE DATES
You will know the Scottish Government is easing the lockdown at a different pace from England.
 
On 28th May, Scotland entered phase one which included: visits to meet one other household; exercising travel limit of five miles; opening of garden centres, recycling centres and golf courses; construction site preparation; childminding and preparations for school reopening.
 
Construction is now moving to the next steps of its industry plan. Workers are allowed to return to sites gradually, while using measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene.
 
The next statement on easing is due on 18th June, when phase two may be announced.  That may include the full reopening of construction sites and reopening of factories; more shops; meeting people from more than one household; outdoor pubs and restaurants; playgrounds and more non urgent healthcare.
 
Last week the Scottish Government indicated that the Tourism Industry would restart on the 15th July which should give it enough time to prepare and for people to book holidays.  That may indicate that we would fully move to phase three at that time too.  Phase three also includes: offices; museums, libraries and gyms; more shops; and hairdressers!
 
Some of this is our estimate of what may happen. None of it is firm and is subject to the progress we make on suppressing the virus. 
 
NEW SHIELDING ADVICE
People on the shielding list should continue to follow the advice until 31st July but if infection rates are low enough, they may be able to exercise outside from the 18th June.
 
Support will continue such as free weekly food boxes, access to priority supermarket delivery slots, pharmacy deliveries, or other support through councils.
 
Those living in nursing or residential care homes will not be allowed to exercise outdoors yet.
 
SCHOOL OPENING PREPARATIONS
Staff returned to Dundee schools yesterday as preparations continue to welcome pupils back to the classroom in August, if it is safe to do so.
 
Some children and young people will be entering school buildings over what would have been the last two weeks of term towards the end of June for key transition stages including entry to P1, S1 and some of the senior phase. However, some of this support for transition will be virtual and continue into the start of next term in August. 
 
Meanwhile, the council’s network of eight community support centres will continue to operate over the summer period, providing not only critical childcare for key workers, but also helping to look after some of the most vulnerable children in the city.
 
As with the rest of Scotland, Dundee City Council is working to open schools from 11th August, with the introduction of a blended learning model involving a mixture of classroom and learning from home.
 
Laptops and other equipment have been distributed around school communities to assist with learning under the new arrangements.
 
A new batch around 600 laptops will be fitted with data connections and given to selected households soon in another outreach effort to ensure inclusion for the ongoing home education of pupils.
 
The council is now carrying out a survey of families to ask their opinions about the home learning experience. Responses will be used to help in the establishment of blended learning from August.
 
The survey is available at http://tiny.cc/eirmqz
 
SUMMER SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
You will recall we previously mentioned that Willie Rennie MSP had asked the First Minister to provide funding for students over the summer because their usual jobs were not available.  Now the Scottish Government has brought forward early access to £11.4 million of discretionary funds – support for higher education students in financial difficulty – to be administered by colleges and universities. 
 
SAAS has also suspended all new debt recovery actions in respect to grants and bursaries until September for students whose circumstances have changed and may have to return over-payments. 
 
This is a good start but we want the Scottish Government to use SAAS instead of separate hardship funds to make it easier for students.
 
 
EXTENSION TO HELP TO BUY HOUSING
More than 2,000 households will be able to buy a new build home as the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme is extended by a year to March 2022. The scheme focuses on more affordable housing with a maximum purchase price of £200,000. It bridges the gap between lower loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages now obtainable for new builds and the smaller deposits many households now have available to buy a new home.
 
 
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Small businesses which share properties but do not pay business rates are now eligible to apply for grants. The extension to the Small Business Grant Fund will apply to firms occupying shared office spaces, business incubators or shared industrial units and who lease the space from a registered, rate-paying landlord.
 
Separately, eligibility has also been extended to companies occupying multiple premises with a cumulative value of more than £51,000.  From today, eligible businesses will be able to apply to their local authority for grants of up to £10,000.
 
It has also been confirmed that the Small Business Grant and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant schemes will close for new applications on 10 July.
 
 
TRAVELLING INTO THE COUNTRY
New public health measures are now in force for travellers into the UK: 
Residents and visitors entering the UK from abroad must self-isolate for 14 days.
They must supply contact, address and travel details.
There will be fixed penalty notices for anyone failing to comply.
 
INFORMATION
 
 
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
 
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
 
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only – 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list – 0800 111 4000
 
 
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
 
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
 
Health Protection Scotland Guidance – www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
 
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
 
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
 
Ready Scotland Information – www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
 
Tayside Cares – www.taysidecares.co.uk
 
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
 
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
 
CONTACT DETAILS
 
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
 
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
 
 

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend



DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL – WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

 
Please note that most works are subject to change and late completion due to the restrictive measures in place following UK and Scottish Government advice that only emergency/urgent works and those considered essential should take place during this period.
 
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD – WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 15 JUNE 2020
 
West Marketgait (Argyllgait to Nethergate) – overnight (7.00pm to 3.00am) nearside southbound lane closure on Tuesday 16 June for Scottish Water work.

Lots of great music available!

 
Many thanks to Sheena Wellington of Friends of Wighton a great update on some of the music that can be accessed on-line!
 
“There is still a wheen of music  happening online and here are your links to some of it!     Apologies to any artist I have missed!
 
Campbell’s Ceilidh taking place regularly on a Sunday Evening as hosted by Mairi Campbell https://www.facebook.com/groups/1073287133041711/ or email Mairi direct mairi_campbell@hotmail.com
 
Allan Taylor’s See Ye Sunday live every Sunday afternoon at 3.30 pm https://www.facebook.com/afc1983
 
 
Bruce MacGregor Besides presenting Travelling Folk on BBCScotland, Bruce also has ‘Live at Five’ (a wee show from the virtual MacGregor’s bar) every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday https://www.facebook.com/MacGregorsBars/
 
Anna Massie daily tunes, great craic and the occasional travel commentary https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMassieMusic/
 
Folk at Salmon Bothy Friday Frolics evening sessions – details at https://www.facebook.com/bothyfolk/
 
Edinburgh Folk Club livestream regular gigs https://www.facebook.com/edfolkclub/
 
Why not check out the virtual versions of the following events –
 
Edinburgh International Harp Festival www.harpfestival.co.uk
Orkney Folk Festival www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh https://www.facebook.com/Knockengorroch
 
The Traditional Music Forum have a new website with listings of livestream events https://scotlandonline.org
 
Music from Scotland https://www.facebook.com/MusicfromScotland  is a new page dedicated to all genres, from traditional Scottish folk music to emerging Scottish artists.
 
‘Traditional Tunes for Tiny People’ is a Live Music Now Scotland project aimed at teaching families and young people traditional Scottish tunes and songs with many familiar faces taking part: https://www.youtube.com/livemusicnowscotland
 
The Bit Collective https://www.facebook.com/thebitcollective has regular livestreams including from artists such as Corrina Hewat, Marie Fielding, Ellie Beaton and Lori Watson.
Keith TMSA Virtual Festival which is due to run from Friday 12 June to Sunday 14 June in on Facebook and KCR – 107.7fm using a mix of live, pre-recorded and archive footage. More details can be found at http://www.facebook.com/keithfestival. 
 
There are some great concerts from the finest young musicians of Live Music Now at https://www.facebook.com/livemusicnowscotland/ 
 
Ensemble Hesperi will be live on Facebook every Friday  at 1pm https://www.facebook.com/pg/EnsembleHesperi/videos
 
Enjoy!”

Book delivery service

 
 
The following update is from Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action with grateful thanks – I am delighted to see this service being launched as I have had a number of constituents asking about how to access library books and this service will be a real help :
 
“Lots of the Older People’s Network told us that they were looking for books or jigsaws to keep them busy during lockdown whilst the library service is unavailable. We are working with the HOPE Project, Grey Lodge Settlement and Dundee West Church who have these items available.
 
If you or someone you know would like to request a hard copy of a book or jigsaw, please contact Maureen and she will arrange a volunteer through our Get Local Support project to pick one up and deliver it to you. We are unlikely to be able to pick preferred authors for you due to limited supplies, so it will be more of a surprise!
 
Please note that these items should be quarantined for 48 hours for paperbacks or 72 hours for plastic covered books (like library books) and wiped down before use.
 
If you have any books or jigsaws that you would like to donate, please get in touch with Maureen.
 
For more information or to request a delivery please contact Maureen on MMcLay@hillcresthomes.org.uk or call 0300 123 2640 extension 5731.”

Work on the Tay Rail Bridge #dundeewestend

I have received the following update from Network Rail :
 
“Work is now underway to replace more than 1,200 sleepers located on the iconic Tay Bridge, the longest railway structure in Scotland.
This project, which will be ongoing until September, is designed to extend the life of the track and is being delivered in a way which minimises the disruption for passengers.  It represents an investment of more than £500,000 to improve the resilience and reliability of the line for passengers.
One in three sleepers including baseplates and Pandrol clips – which hold the tracks onto the sleepers – are being replaced and ballast below renewed and re-packed. This will deliver improvements to the stability and extend the lifespan of the track.  
It represents an investment of more than £500,000 to improve the resilience and reliability of the two-mile-long structure and follows on from the £75m restoration of the bridge’s metalwork completed in 2017.
Some of the sleeper’s base plates date back to the early 1960’s and the timber sleepers are now at the end of their natural life having been open to the elements and the impacts of the salty air in this exposed coastal location. 
It equates to circa 60 tonnes of sleepers being installed and an equivalent amount of redundant material and spoil being removed from the bridge over the period of the project.
This approach being taken delivers a balance between maintaining the track to ensure it is fit for the volume of traffic travelling over the bridge while avoiding disruption to passenger services on the busy East Coast Mainline.”
 
I have had some correspondence with Network Rail about this as I am concerned that there is no noise impact overnight for residents who live near the bridge around Roseangle/Magdalen Yard Road.    My colleagues who represent the area on the south side of the bridge on Fife Council (Cllrs Jonny Tepp and Tim Brett) have raised this too.
 
Residents close to the bridge were sent a letter last month giving further information and I quote this below (removing some dates of work now past) :
 
“Work will take place each night between the hours of 23:00 and 07:00 on the following dates:
 
Sunday 21st June 2020 to Wednesday 24th June 2020
Tuesday 30th June 2020 to Thursday 2nd July 2020
Monday 6th July 2020 to Thursday 9th July 2020
Sunday 19th July 2020 to Wednesday 22nd July 2020
Sunday 26th July 2020 to Thursday 30th July 2020
Monday 3rd August 2020 to Thursday 6th August 2020
Monday 24th August 2020 to Thursday 27th August 2020
Sunday 30th August 2020 to Thursday 3rd September 2020
 
This work will involve track maintenance at the Tay Bridge. Unfortunately, the equipment we use – in this case Rail Road Vehicles, on-track plant and hand power tools – means that some noise is unavoidable, but we will do all we can to minimise it.  We have also asked those working on site to work with consideration for the local community.
 
We understand that working by your property overnight is far from ideal, but we are legally obliged to work on the railway at times that cause least disruption to trains.  Unfortunately, this means carrying out a lot of our work at weekends or at night.
 
I hope our work doesn’t disturb you too much but if you have any questions or concerns please call our 24-hr helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or via our website http://www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus”
 
If any constituent has any concerns or has noted any noise disturbance, I’d be pleased to speak with them and can be contacted on Dundee 459378 at any time.

Latest update during the COVID-19 emergency

 
Further update – for Tuesday 9th June – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End)​ and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)​ :
 
TEST AND PROTECT – IMPORTANT
Everyone aged five and over who has COVID-19 symptoms of a new continuous cough, temperature or loss or change in sense of taste or smell should go to NHS Inform online or call 0800 028 2816 to book a test. 
 
People will need to isolate with their household as soon as they have symptoms and, if they have a positive test result, they will be asked to provide details of all recent close contacts to NHS contact tracers.  Those people will be contacted and asked to isolate for 14 days.
 
 
 
THE NEXT STEPS ON HEALTH SERVICES
NHS Scotland will begin resuming some services that have been suspended, delayed or deferred due to the virus, whilst continuing to protect emergency, urgent and maternity care. ‘Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design, The Framework for NHS Scotland’ sets out how Health Boards will safely and gradually prioritise the resumption of some paused services.
 
These services could be first: 
cancer services, especially referrals and postponed treatments
expanding treatments for non-cancer urgent inpatients and outpatients
outpatient therapies where delay will increase the risk to patients, such as management of macular degeneration, paediatrics and respiratory services
mental health support
treatment room services such as blood monitoring and B12 injections
 
CHILDMINDER GUIDANCE
From 3 June 2020, childminders can operate but they must limit the number of households for whom they provide childcare to a maximum of 4, in addition to children of their own household, at any one time. In allocating their spaces, continued critical childcare for keyworkers and vulnerable children must be the first priority. The restrictions on childminder capacity are expected to be lifted during Phase 3, depending on the public health advice.
 
BEST START GRANT
The Best Start Grant School Age Payment has re-opened for applications. This is a £250 payment made to parents or carers around the time a child is old enough to start Primary 1 to help with the costs of starting school.
 
CARERS
Carers are to receive a one-off payment, in addition to the regular six monthly Carer’s Allowance Supplement. As a result, eligible carers will get a payment of at least £460.20. This will be paid from Friday 26 June. 
 
SCHOOL GUIDANCE PUBLISHED
New guidance will help teachers and councils prepare for the ‘blended model’ of both classroom and home learning when schools re-open in August.  The guidance, produced by the Education Recovery Group, also details broad expectations for what Scotland’s curriculum will look like during this period in Early Learning Centres and schools. Guidance on the curriculum, aimed at parents and carers, will be published shortly in partnership with the National Parent Forum of Scotland.
 
AbilityNet
AbilityNet provide a free service delivered by volunteers (all who are PVG checked) to support anyone aged over 55, or anyone with a disability/medical condition or they also support carers free of charge. 
 
They can help with things such as getting online, using WhatsApp and Facetime especially during this tough time and online shopping but can also help look at what help there could be for people with disabilities and health issues. They can also offer help on social media, zoom and other platforms for holding or attending virtual meetings and can provide training on this to organisations and charities free of charge if its required.
 
The list really is endless.  No question is a silly question.
 
Throughout Scotland many older people and people who have never used technology is being pushed online for many essential services such as Internet Banking, Online Shopping and Hospital Appointments and they want to help where we can.
 
They normally provide ay IT Support At Home service, which understandably is suspended at the moment.  Instead, they can provide remote support  on a ‘best endeavours’ basis, being able to remotely access devices (with permission) which enables them to not only resolve problems, but also demonstrate how to do things such as online grocery shopping and video calls. 
 
To find out more about Ability Net please visit https://abilitynet.org.uk/at-home  To request assistance you can call them on 0800 048 7642 or email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk. 
 
INFORMATION
 
 
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
 
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
 
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only – 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list – 0800 111 4000
 
 
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
 
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
 
Health Protection Scotland Guidance – www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
 
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
 
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
 
Ready Scotland Information – www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
 
Tayside Cares – www.taysidecares.co.uk
 
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
 
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
 
CONTACT DETAILS
 
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
 
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
 
 

WestFest Virtual Big Sunday today! #dundeewestend

 
Remember – you can enjoy this year’s WestFest Big Sunday from the comfort of your own home later today!
 
2020 is the 10th anniversary of WestFest and a fantastic party had been planned down the Green before COVID-19 scuppered that.
 
WestFest’s great volunteers have been working behind the scenes to organise a virtual festival so tune in on Sunday for videos and live streams from lots of amazing local acts and DJs.
 
See you d̶o̶w̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶g̶r̶e̶e̶n̶ online!   Details at www.facebook.com/events/238391147459568.