A very busy Monday! Apart from my final two surgeries of 2009 at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre and numerous constituent visits, this morning, I took part in an informal group leaders’ meeting on the Council Budget at the City Chambers.
The Chief Executive and Director of Finance gave elected members an overview of where the officers are in relation to finding the necessary savings and accommodate significant cost pressures – particularly in Social Work.
The Chief Executive and Director of Finance gave elected members an overview of where the officers are in relation to finding the necessary savings and accommodate significant cost pressures – particularly in Social Work.
There is no doubt that the task is significant and I - along with other opposition members - asked for further detail about any savings proposed. I also specifically asked for a statement from each Chief Officer about the detail and effect of any proposed savings across the service delivery areas each is responsible for.
It was agreed that a budget volume would be issued to all elected members around the week commencing 11th January and group leaders would meet again on 19th January at which the detail I had asked for from Chief Officers would be made available.
I feel the meeting was co-operative and productive; such an approach is important given the financial challenges facing the city council.
It was agreed that a budget volume would be issued to all elected members around the week commencing 11th January and group leaders would meet again on 19th January at which the detail I had asked for from Chief Officers would be made available.
I feel the meeting was co-operative and productive; such an approach is important given the financial challenges facing the city council.
In the run-up to Christmas, I do a lot of visits to constituents, especially elderly residents, and this continued into the (rather snowy!) evening, preventing my attending the Harris Academy Christmas Carol Service. With regard to surgeries, these start again when the schools return in January, but meantime West End residents can contact me at any time at esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk or call me on Dundee 459378.