Real Story about WestFest should be thanks to the organisers

I have been raising my concerns about the way in which parking tickets were issued at WestFest on Sunday.  I received a response from the council which suggested that a meeting should take place between the council and the organisers.  I welcome that but I am still disappointed that the issue around car parking has overshadowed

 

I am disappointed with the response which I have received.  I think that targeting a community event such as WestFest was a huge mistake, and that it should be acknowledged as such.  People who received a Penalty Charge Notice have a right of appeal and should pursue that right but it is disappointing to see the council stand by its actions on Sunday.  I have campaigned against parking on Magdalen Green since I was first elected, it was one of the very first issues I raised on the council.  I have not always felt as supported as I could have been by the council's bureaucracy on this issue.  I is hope that this the first step on the council's plan to eradicate parking on Magdalen Green?

 

I am seeking further answers about a number of issues around this.  The only positive that I see in the council's response was the offer to meet with the WestFest organisers to discuss what went on and look to see if there are any lessons which can be learned for future years.

 

It is hugely disappointing that the issue of parking tickets is overshadowing what should be the real story of the WestFest.  The real story should be about the amazing success it was.  We should be congratulating the organisers for all their hard work in their own time creating a magnificent event enjoyed by thousands of people on Sunday.

Harris Academy Site Visit

On Monday along with my colleagues Councillor Laurie Bidwell and Councillor Georgia Cruickshank and my ward colleague Councillor Fraser Macpherson I visited the building site at Harris Academy on the Perth Road.

It was good to see progress being made at the site and I hope that it will remain on course for the school to re-open on the Perth Road in August 2016.

There has been significant progress made since the last time I was on site.  It is starting to look more and more like a school now.

WestFest - Well done to organisers - not so well done traffic wardens

I would like to congratulate the organisers of WestFest for yet another great day on Magdalen Green.  I was disappointed to see the event targeted by traffic wardens.

Yet again WestFest organised a great event on Magdalen Green today. Well done to everyone involved in the organisation of the event. It is great that so many people give up their own time to create such a great event for the entire community.  There were huge crowds there today and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

I was pleased to give my constituents the chance to throw sponges at me to raise money for the restoration
n of the bandstand on Magdalen Green.  Many of them seemed to enjoy it!  I was surprised at how many of my
friends and relations were keen to donate to the restoration of the Magdalen Green bandstand!

I was disappointed that cars parked near the green were targeted by traffic wardens during the event. I recognise that there is a need for parking regulations but it seems wrong that people were targeted whilst attending a great community event today. I will be asking Dundee City Council to explain why this happened today.

Less than half of fines for dog fouling paid

I was surprised to find out that in the last financial year less than half of the fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling were paid.  I was also surprised at the relatively small number of fixed penalty notices issued.  If you live in the West End and there is a problem in your area with dog fouling do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Dog fouling is disgusting but it is also dangerous.  Dundee City Council should do all that it can to eradicate this revolting practice from our city.  I am surprised about the low number of fixed penalty notices issued across the city.  I am astonished that so many of the fixed penalty notices go unpaid.  The council must ensure that the full force of the law is used against people who insist on letting their dogs foul on our pavements.

I will be seeking a meeting with officers to discuss the issue.  I want to be sure that Dundee City Council is putting enough resources into stopping dog fouling.  Dog fouling has a detrimental impact on the quality of life in some areas of the city. 

 

Whilst the council can do  a lot of things to deter dog fouling and punish offenders it is clear that the most straightforward solution rests with dog owners.  Dog owners should clean up after their dogs and take responsibility for their dogs.  If they are not prepared to do that then maybe they should not own a dog.

 

Litter Pick in Lochee Park

I was really pleased to see so many local people taking part in this litter pick. It was a great chance to make a difference for our local community. It is important that people respect our parks and keep them as clean as possible. Whilst taking part in the litter pick it was good to also get the chance to enjoy the views from Balgay Hill and enjoy being in the park. Well done to everyone who took part.

It is hugely important that we recognise the great resource that we have in our parks in the city.  Lochee park and the whole of Balgay Park forms an oasis in the centre of the city.

I certainly take a pride in Dundee and I will continue to do what I can to protect our open spaces and make sure that they are as well maintained as possible.

Some of the volunteers from Community Spirit who took part in the litter pick