Prior to Christmas, at the City Council, I requested of the council's Chief Executive that a proper debriefing on winter maintenance arrangements takes place at which councillors could raise residents' concerns and issues about the way the bad weather conditions were tackled.
This was agreed to and the debrief took place today. It was an extremely useful and constructive meeting at which council officers agreed to ensure that points raised today will be taken into account when winter maintenance policy is reviewed for 2011/12.
Amongst issues I raised today :
* There is a need to ensure that priority is given to all sheltered housing areas - Dundee City Council and Registered Social Landlords' owned properties. This was accepted.
* The Council should do more to respond to offers of help from the many members of the Dundee public who are keen to help their neighbours and others in the community, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. Dundee City Council should co-ordinate a "Snow Heroes" effort, the sort of thing that was so well co-ordinated elsewhere in the UK. This was agreed but must be progressed in the months ahead. Dundee is full of decent folk, keen to help the vulnerable in difficult weather and the council must harness this.
* There should be better use of gritters overnight/24 hour use. Again, agreed.
I pay tribute to all staff who put in a huge effort over the difficult weather conditions in December and early January.
I hope that today's briefing will result in improvements to planning and arrangements for future winter maintenance.