Yesterday, I had the pleasure of calling by a Communities in Action Afternoon Tea at Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall. This was a great opportunity for older people in the West End to discuss what it is like growing older in the local community and what services and opportunities are provided and what could be improved. A further feedback event will take place at the same venue from 2pm on 5th June.
I also attended the latest meeting of the Remploy Working Group where members were unfortunately advised that a bid to run the Dundee Remploy factory as a social enterprise is not feasible. I stressed the point that a huge effort must now be made to find alternative work for the staff that is sustainable in the long term.
After my two Monday ward surgeries at the Mitchell Street Centre and Harris Academy, I took part in City Council meetings.
* At Education Committee, I asked the Director of Education about preparedness for the introduction of the Curriculum for Excellence across the city and the availability of teaching resources.
* At City Development Committee, I welcomed a report on proposals for the City Council to work with Angus Council to seek sponsorship of roundabouts in the city. Having previously raised this as a proposal during a previous budget process, I am pleased to see progress towards this that has the potential to reduce maintenance costs. I sought assurances about ensuring landscaping is well-maintained and also that there should be no political advertising on the city's roundabouts.
* At Policy and Resources Committee, I welcomed a proposal to bid for funding from the Youth Employment Scotland Fund that, should Dundee's bid be successful, would result in some 200 subsidised jobs for the city's young people.
* At Social Work and Health Committee, I stressed that the new consultation on the Kemback Street Adult Resource Centre must be undertaken in a way that gives service users and their families confidence in the process. I also asked about improvements to the Home Care Enablement (East) and Social Care Response Team following the inspection report in December 2012 that highlighted concerning issues with service delivery.