In addition to the launch of Barney's Fund that I mentioned last night, yesterday :
* The Courier covered the background to the motion I intend to bring to the City Council's Policy and Resources Committee on 13th June. This surrounds the plight of the people of Palestine, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the issue of the boycott of Israeli goods. I am hoping that cross-party discussions prior to 13th June will achieve a cross-party consensus on this matter.
* The Courier also highlighted my view on the forthcoming Scottish Liberal Democrat leadership election.
After my two Monday surgeries at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre, I attended City Council committee meetings yesterday evening at which :
* I sought assurances that local suppliers in Dundee would benefit from a new Housing Department Decoration Card Scheme.
* I welcomed a new food waste collection pilot scheme, but asked how the number of separate collections to households can be avoided by collecting different collections at the same time. As things now stand, there is potential for some households to have 5 separate collections - general waste, blue bin (paper/cardboard), brown bin (garden waste), green box (plastics, bottles etc) and now the new food collection. It is clear from the reply given that the Waste Management Department has given thought to rationalising the number of collections, which is to be welcomed. Given the likely requirements on local authorities by 2013 to collect food waste, it is good that the City Council is moving this pilot forward now.
* I questioned the Chief Executive about progress on shared services, during discussion of a report on an overview of local government, undertaken by the Accounts Commission.
* I sought assurances that the City Council will work with residents across the city who are keen to form new Community Councils.
* I welcomed a report that will result in a new cremated remains section in Western Cemetery. Having worked with the Western Cemetery Association to move this forward, I paid tribute to the Director of Leisure & Communities and his staff for all the work done with the design proposal.