Following my Monday afternoon surgeries at the Mitchell Street Centre and the West Park Centre, I participated in tonight's City Council committees.
At Environment Committee, I welcomed public open space proposed improvements including at Greenbank Place, Riverside Drive and Victoria Park. In the case of Greenbank Place, the proposal is to replace the existing conifer hedge. I asked that the overgrown trees in the area be also attended to (particular the one that partially obstructs the south pavement) and was given a commitment that this would happen.
At Policy and Resources Committee, I was pleased that the first regeneration fund monies to be committed to West End projects was approved. This includes help for the elderly in the West End through the Food Train, a gardening project assisting people recovering from substance misuse issues and a project helping families in need.
At the same committee, I voted with the Labour Group regarding the V&A preferred contractor recommendation, given concerns about blacklisting. I also moved approval of a report from the Chief Executive on the Dundee Fairness Action Plan and child poverty strategy, omitting an SNP amendment which was unfortunately and unhelpfully more about scoring independence referendum points than trying to reach a cross-party consensus on tackling poverty in Dundee.