As a member of Tayside Fire and Rescue Board I totally condemn attacks on firefighters such as the one which injured a firefighter from Balmossie Station recently.

It is despicable that firefighters have been attacked. Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect the public and they should be respected. It is not acceptable that these public servants are attacked. I hope that those responsible are caught.

Attacks on firefighters could delay firefighters from attending a fire and as well as possible injury to firefighters these attacks really do put lives at risk.

There is no excuse for attacks on public servants and I think that anyone who carries out such an attack should be ashamed of themselves.

4 November 2011

On Wednesday evening I was pleased to attend a meeting of the Community Spirit Action Group

The meeting was very interesting and there was a presentation on the work of community payback.

There was also a long discussion about bus services in the area.

The on-going problems with the bus services demonstrate the need for greater regulation of the bus industry.

2 November 2011

Balgay Vandalism Digraceful

I've commented on yet more vandalism at Balgay Cemetery.

These further attacks of vandalism are disgraceful.

Whoever did this should be ashamed of themselves.

I hope that anyone with information will contact the police.

We should not have to have security at a cemetery but I will be speaking to the council to see if there is anything more that can be done to protect the cemetery.

These acts of vandalism cause a lot of grief.

The people responsible must be caught.

31 October 2011

Monday evening saw a lengthy meeting of the City Council and its various meetings

At the Housing Committee there were proposals to develop a sort of intermediate level of housing called amenity housing which would be somewhere between mainstream housing and sheltered housing.

I am really pleased that local people and opposition parties have made their views known and the SNP Administration have decided not to progress plans to scrap sheltered lounges or wardens.

I was also pleased that the council will be promoting home insulation, finding effective ways of dealing with fuel poverty and carbon footprints is very important.
The City Development Committee was scheduled to discuss bus services between the West End and St John's.

This was withdrawn because at long last council officers are taking the concerns of local parents seriously.

I hope that a solution will be forthcoming before too long.
At the Policy and Resources Committee I asked about future plans for the Community Learning and Development section.

This section has received excellent reports from the HMIe, which are sector-leading.

Councillor Richard McCready : Concern at Ninewells Car Parking Charge Increase

Councillor Richard McCready : Changes to School Day

Last week the City Council agreed to carry out a consultation on changes to the school day in secondary schools.

This would standardise the school day across all the secondaries in the city.

In principle I don't have a problem with these proposals.

I do, however, think that there are some practical concerns that need to be faced up to before these reforms are implemented.

Issues like how do parents deal with the plan to have the school day finish at different times on different days of the week.

Will bus companies be able to deal with these different times?

The Evening Telegraph carried a report on this and an editorial on this topic.

Nobody could disagree with the message of the editorial "...it is right that as our lives and communities change our educational system should change too so it can provide the best and most efficient service possible."

The Telegraph said that ".. it is critical that all families become involved in this consultation process to ensure that their child's schooling is shaped to their needs more than anyone else's."

The Council should be making a big effort to include as many people as possible in the consultation which is taking place.

There are reports of yet more vandalism in Balgay Cemetery.

I am appalled to hear reports of more vandalism in Balgay Cemetery.

This is disgraceful and there can be no excuse for vandalism.

I have asked the council to do all it can to ensure that vandals are stopped.

I know that the police are also doing their bit on this issue.

The vandals must be stopped.

I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police.

Balgay Cemetery should be vandal free and those who vandalise gravestones should be ashamed of themselves for the distress they are causing.

Balgay can be a beautiful and peaceful place, a mindless minority should not be allowed to ruin that for everyone else.