Getting things done – Lochee Park – an update #dundeewestend

Residents recall my update in March giving the positive response I had received from the City Council’s environment management team about installing further picnic tables at Lochee Park.


I was advised at the time that delivery was to be taking place soon so, last week, I sought an update on installation.

The Project Officer in the council’s Neighbourhood Services team has now updated me as follows :

“I met with a colleague last week and agreed the positions for two picnic benches.

I have since instructed our chargehand to install concrete bases for the benches. We have the benches in stock at Caird Park.

Once installed, hopefully next week, the concrete will require at least a week to cure before drilling and bolting down the benches.

Therefore approx 2 to 3 weeks for the bench fitting.”



Getting things done – Clovis Duveau Drive and Riverside Avenue #dundeewestend


I am grateful to the residents who over the past fortnight highlighted to me the graffiti in the pedestrian tunnel near to Clovis Duveau Drive and Riverside Avenue.

I contacted the City Council’s Rapid Response Team to get this removed and the team lived up to its title as the graffiti was thereafter very promptly removed.



Logie area – house insulation update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, some time ago, I highlighted a site visit I had undertaken to two then void council properties in the Logie area to view the trial at internal insulation the council had undertaken to ensure the council properties in Logie have better insulation and all properties meet the Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Standard (EESSH) target.


As the tenants are aware, as the oldest council estate in Scotland and its Conservation status, external insulation is not possible and an internal solution is the way of ensuring warm homes into the future.

The work in the trial properties was very impressive. However, due to the COVID-19 health emergency, progress with this across Logie has been delayed so I asked the City Council for an update.

The Head of Housing and Communities has now advised as follows :

“Thank you for your recent enquiry on progress with EESSH . I can confirm the latest compliance figure is 86.05% (as of March 2021). This figure will be updated prior to our Social Housing Charter return to the Scottish Housing Regulator in May and with further EPCs lodged which have been delayed due to the Pandemic the figure should increase to nearer 90%.

Regarding the Logie estate it is still our plan to provide internal wall insulation to tenanted houses on this estate and we are looking at combining with other programmes to provide a more comprehensive solution however we are at the early stages of scoping this out.

COVID-19 has significantly delayed our insulation programme and we are only able to start our 2019/20 Programme at the end of April and realistically this will have a knock-on effect on programmes further down the line including Logie and Corso Street.


We will be in touch regarding further developments on these projects when we have more detail.”


Logie area – house insulation update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, some time ago, I highlighted a site visit I had undertaken to two then void council properties in the Logie area to view the trial at internal insulation the council had undertaken to ensure the council properties in Logie have better insulation and all properties meet the Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Standard (EESSH) target.


As the tenants are aware, as the oldest council estate in Scotland and its Conservation status, external insulation is not possible and an internal solution is the way of ensuring warm homes into the future.

The work in the trial properties was very impressive. However, due to the COVID-19 health emergency, progress with this across Logie has been delayed so I asked the City Council for an update.

The Head of Housing and Communities has now advised as follows :

“Thank you for your recent enquiry on progress with EESSH . I can confirm the latest compliance figure is 86.05% (as of March 2021). This figure will be updated prior to our Social Housing Charter return to the Scottish Housing Regulator in May and with further EPCs lodged which have been delayed due to the Pandemic the figure should increase to nearer 90%.

Regarding the Logie estate it is still our plan to provide internal wall insulation to tenanted houses on this estate and we are looking at combining with other programmes to provide a more comprehensive solution however we are at the early stages of scoping this out.

COVID-19 has significantly delayed our insulation programme and we are only able to start our 2019/20 Programme at the end of April and realistically this will have a knock-on effect on programmes further down the line including Logie and Corso Street.


We will be in touch regarding further developments on these projects when we have more detail.”


Magdalen Green – a further update #dundeewestend

I have recently been in discussion with both Police Scotland and City Council officers following the recent disgraceful vandalism on Magdalen Green that resulted in a table and seating being destroyed by fire.    Additionally, as the photo shows, another table was recently also vandalised although the damage was less severe than happened to the other table and chairs.    Environment management will ensure repair of this.


As I said to the media at the time of the vandalism, it is vital that the vandals do not win and I am grateful to Police Scotland for the comprehensive response I have received in relation to policing resource in relation to the Green.

The council had previously promised Friends of Magdalen Green further tables and seating and this will be provided by around 7th May.    Whilst welcome, it is vital that the possibility of a repetition of previous vandalism is minimised.    Policing is a key part of that but I have also been engaging with council environment management about the provision of static metal bins near to seating and separate static BBQ facilities to avoid portable BBQs being used on tables with predictable disastrous results.

Meantime, BBQ tables promised for the parklet area near the community fridge at the Miller’s Wynd car park should be in place hopefully this week.