Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – When criticising the present SNP council for slashing the education budget, Councillor Keenan seems to forget that the previous council, which was controlled by Labour and their Tory pals, signed up to a private deal five years ago in which they borrowed £90 million through a private partnership in order to build Grove and St Paul’s secondary schools and Claypotts, Fintry, Rowantree, Downfield, St Andrews and Craigowl primaries.
At the time the deal was described as the only show in town. As the council is now paying for new schools through other methods, I can only assume that the show is no longer in town.
For the £90 million borrowed in the previous private partnership Dundee City Council education department are now paying back £13 million per year and will do so for more than 30 years, paying back over £400 million in total. Who in their right mind would vote for a deal such as that?
Perhaps this episode is a big factor in the present crisis as the £400 million would have gone a long way towards rebuilding all Dundee schools.
B Ransford.Lawside Academy,School House,Rannoch Road,Dundee.
Odd approach to planning
Sir, – It was interesting to sit in the public gallery recently at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Development Management Committee. Their approach to the application for 19 houses in an Area of Great Landscape Value in Kinnoull was unusual.
The main policy issue was the council’s AGLV policy for preservation of outstanding landscape which has been used since the 1980s and is still current. It says the only building permitted in an AGLV is for operational use such as a farmer needing a house for management of the land. They chose to ignore the policy.
In January the council decided that the site should be ”Green Belt” in the new development plan. They put it out for public consultation and a final decision will come next year. The committee chose to ignore the ongoing consultation.
Another policy protects the setting of a listed building. The 19 stock design ”executive” houses were thought by the professional planners unsuitable. The committee chose to ignore that, too.
There was a very well balanced report from the planners outlining all policy issues with a final conclusion of ”refusal”. That was ignored.
From the committee debate it was clear that Perth and Kinross policies were secondary to the perceived financial needs of the applicant. Is every applicant from now on being invited to have the outcome of their planning application determined by financial need?
Another aspect of the committee which intrigued me was the role of ”substitutes”. The last five meetings of development management averaged one substitute per meeting. This one had three including one who seconded the chairman for approval of the 19-house development.
All in all, those who have an interest in development or conservation should be concerned about the approach to planning applications by Perth and Kinross Council.
Norman Renfrew.East Lodge,Barnhill,Perth.
A different matter entirely
Sir, – I wholeheartedly agree with Allan MacDougall (November 6) that being sixth in the world economic league is better than being sixteenth.
Unfortunately, this not where the OECD report to which he refers places an independent Scotland. This is where, based on an SNP report, Alex Salmond places an independent Scotland in the OECD two entirely different things.
The SNP report posits a Scottish economy largely driven by oil revenue which it is far too early to quantify as this will be the subject of negotiation between the Scottish and Westminster governments and perhaps the governments of Orkney and Shetland who have indicated a desire for independence and in whose waters a lot of the oil will lie.
Or will the SNP deny to others that to which they themselves aspire?
George Dobbie.51 Airlie Street,Alyth,Blairgowrie.
More heroes’ tales on file
Sir, – I was very interested in the article ”Heroes’ tales finally told” by Margaret Thorburn (November 6), researching names on local war memorials.
For others who might be interested, my son, who is a serving soldier, has done the same for the war memorials in Kinross and Kinross-shire, including reports from local newspapers at the time and extracts from original war diaries and locations of their graves.
His work is held for safekeeping in Kinross Museum, which is located within the Kinross High School Campus and is available for viewing and research on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Margaret Smith.32 Muirs,Kinross.
Even bigger potholes?
Sir, – Further to Mr Cumming’s letter stating that Angus Council have adopted a minimalist approach to all road repairs (November 5), I would suggest they have also adopted a short-sighted approach.
It was reported recently in The Courier that parking is to be stopped at the Colliston end of the nature trail.
Because of this council edict no-one will be able to park their cars at the present small parking area to allow them access to this convenient and pleasant walk.
Once the bollards have been erected, those wishing to use the nature trail will probably try to join it at its central entrance or have to use a relatively busy road with their dogs and children.
If they decide to use the central entrance will this mean that by parking there the potholes outside Mr Cumming’s house will grow even bigger?
Joyce Davidson.12 Hillend Road,Arbroath.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.