Earlier this evening, following my weekly ward surgeries at the Mitchell Street Centre and the West Park Centre, I participated in tonight's City Council meetings.
* At Environment Committee, I stressed the need ensure that there is a fast and efficient response to any implementation problems with the new waste and recycling bin collection arrangements being rolled out in part of the West End.
Much of this will be from early March (much of the area of Peddie Street and Logie westwards to the city boundary plus some other parts) but a small area in Ninewells Village (the housing in the hospital grounds) and Clayhills Drive was implemented from the start of December. There has been a problem at one block of flats and I have been in discussions with the Environment Department in the past week about getting this fully resolved. The Environment Director has assured me this situation is being closely monitored to ensure the new collection arrangements work well henceforth.
Like other councillors who contributed to the debate, I also stressed the need for good public consultation before new systems are implemented.
* At Policy and Resources Committee, I congratulated all who had played a part in Dundee recently being named UK UNESCO City of Design.
I also sought assurances about the quality of the housing repairs reporting service going forward (as it is being moved into the council's corporate contact centre), highlighting several recent concerns I have raised about lighting repairs in council houses and on communal stairwells in council flats.
I also sought assurances about the quality of the housing repairs reporting service going forward (as it is being moved into the council's corporate contact centre), highlighting several recent concerns I have raised about lighting repairs in council houses and on communal stairwells in council flats.