Last couple of days ...

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending part of a morning meeting of the Dundee Partnership that focused on Dundee's bid for UK City of Culture 2017.    This was an extremely well-attended and positive event where the excellent news that Lorraine Kelly, Sheena Wellington and Brian Cox have been selected to spearhead the city's bid was announced.

Later yesterday, after my Monday ward surgeries at Harris Academy and the Mitchell Street Centre, I took part in City Council committees where there was an extensive discussion about proposed changes to Housing Benefit.   As well as participating in that debate, at Policy and Resources Committee, I praised the work of Dundee Youth Council in putting together their manifesto arising out of their recent consultation process with the city's young people.   I suggested that the council's Chief Executive consider arranging an annual meeting of all councillors with the Youth Council to discuss issues affecting young people in Dundee.

Also yesterday, I spoke on Radio Tay and Wave 102 News about the unfortunate graffiti vandalism in Victoria Park and the adjacent area that took place at the weekend.    You can hear my interview on Wave 102 News here:

Earlier today, I took part in the latest walkabout round the Logie Estate, along with officers from the Housing and Environment Departments.    It was good to see some progress with fewer wheelie bins sitting on the footpath of Glenagnes Street and the council having removed some of the damaged and fallen fencing although some damaged fencing still requires attention as one of the photos below shows.   The other shows progress with trimming of bushes in the estate: 

 Tonight, I attended the latest West End Community Council meeting where there were informative presentations from Judith Clark of Solar Cities Scotland on their Community Carbon Exchange work in the West End and from Fergus Wilson, City Engineer and his department's work, including projects in the West End.   

Having long campaigned for improvements for the road surface of Riverside Drive, it was good to hear that, although the road resurfacing schedule for 2013/14 has yet to be finalised, Riverside Drive is being given serious consideration for inclusion in the programme.