After my surgeries late this afternoon at the Mitchell Street Centre and at Harris Academy, I attended tonight's City Council meetings.
* At the Environment Committee, I welcomed proposed playground improvements across the City, including at Lochee Park, Milnbank and the Roseangle car park. I sought and received assurances that the City Council will work with Friends Groups like Friends of Magdalen Green that wish to work in partnership with the council to see further improvements to play equipment in their local area. Its an obvious point that this should not be at the expense of the council providing resources for improvements, but the work of Friends Groups that flourish in the West End Ward and across the city should be encouraged, not discouraged, and its good that the council's senior officers recognise that.
* At the Housing Committee, I welcomed a sensible proposal to improve a block of flats in Charleston with a view to sale on the open market. Given the background, this is a sensible way forward.
* At the Policy and Resources Committee, I asked questions about the doubling of the City Council's Credit Card bill between 2009/10 and 2010/11 and sought assurances about best value of goods procured. This follows the highlighting of the council's credit card costs.
After City Council meetings, I took part in a very useful training session at Number 10 (Dundee Voluntary Action) on setting up a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. A number of the West End Sports and Heritage Association (WESHA) team attended and we found this evening's training event to be extremely helpful.