Procurement important for economy of the city

As I have said many, many times procurement is important to the economy of the city.  I was disappointed to read in this morning's Courier about local businesses who feel that they are being excluded from getting business at the V&A and waterfront. 

Dundee City Council and the whole public sector in Dundee should be trying to maximise the local economic benefit of investment like the V&A and the Waterfront development.  It make no sense for the Dundee taxpayer's money to be invested abroad and for Dundee people to even loose their jobs as a result of their own money being invested unwisely.

I’ve made the point before about using public procurement to maximise the benefit for local people; whether apprentices, subcontractors or just using local materials.

It isn’t simply about being cost effective, there is a need to balance the environmental impact and local employment benefit, and consider the advantages of stimulating the local economy.

Often the cheapest option is not always the best value.

For example, if money is spent locally, that will tend to get recycled back into the Dundee economy, we can also maximise value from local procurement.

We hear claims that the council is doing its best in terms of employment, yet time after time we hear local people and local businesses say that they have missed out.

Happy Easter!

I would like to wish everyone who is celebrating Easter a very Happy Easter!  You might like to listen to this traditional anthem for Easter sung by Dundee's own Cecilian Choir.

Support the Ninewells/RVH Porters

Unite Scotland's Colin Coupar addressing the rally

On Saturday I was pleased to join a large number of people marching from the Unite offices to the City Square for a rally in support of the porters at Ninewells and Royal Victoria Hospitals.  As a trade unionist I have been pleased to support the two rallies which have been organised in support of the porters.  Unite say that there have been errors in the banding grades given to porters at Ninewells and Royal Victoria Hospitals.  This means that they are being paid less than their colleagues elsewhere.  As one of the councillors for both hospitals I am happy to support them.

I was appalled to hear at the rally that NHS Tayside say that they have a document that proves their case they just cannot find it.  This is ridiculous.  It is also important that the local SNP make their views known on this as they include the Health Secretary amongst their members.

It is clear to me that people do not take strike action lightly and therefore we should listen very seriously to people who are prepared to take strike action.  People should receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's  work and a solution needs to be found to this problem.

You can find out more about the porters case by visiting their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Ninewells-Porters/452299284924508?fref=ts