Sir, I noted with interest the article by Councillor Bidwell, in respect of the future of Police Scotland’s services in Dundee (October 8).
In July, Hamish MacPherson, divisional commander of Police Scotland, invited elected members to meet with him to discuss the future of counter provision throughout the local authority area.
I am not sure whether Cllr Bidwell availed himself of that opportunity but I did and was joined by other elected members, interested to hear first hand the thoughts of Police Scotland.
At that meeting I looked for and received reassurances about the future of police services in Broughty Ferry.
Furthermore, whilst attending Broughty Ferry Community Council this month two community officers were in attendance and again I took reassurance in the fact we have three community PCs dedicated to Broughty Ferry and a commanding officer to oversee them.
I appreciate Cllr Bidwell was not at that meeting but to fly a kite and scaremonger about police provision in Broughty Ferry is sensationalist at best; downright irresponsible at worst.
It is my belief that any amount of scare stories can be raised about “what the future holds” but we are in a period of historic lows in crime in Scotland and as Cllr Bidwell himself has suggested all councillors in Dundee are now kept informed about policing activities through special meetings of the policy and resources committee focused on police, fire and community safety.
The police are also regular attendees at our local community planning partnership.
Perhaps Cllr Bidwell should use these forums to raise his concerns instead of scaremongering without foundation in the press.
Kevin Cordell. Councillor, The Ferry, City Chambers, Dundee.
Downside of “saving world”
Sir, The Indian Government is presently inviting tenders to “design, build, finance and operate” two 4000MW coal-fired power stations. One is to be located at a pithead and the other adjacent to a special seaport to receive imported coal.
Their planned power generation figure can be compared with the UK’s wind farm output which varies from about half to double that figure.
The Indian Government is looking at “national wealth generation”. Our government is conducting a programme of “national wealth loss”.
Ninety per cent of UK wind farms are owned by foreign companies who take their profits home. The turbines are manufactured, transported, installed and serviced by German and Danish companies with miniscule input from British industry. We are given no choice but to pay for it all through surcharges on our electricity bills.
So much for the UK’s self-imposed burden to “save the world” by inflicting upon British industry and households all that extra cost of reducing our tiny proportion of the carbon emissions entering the world’s atmosphere.
Kenneth Foster. 57 Hatton Road, Luncarty, Perth.
Fife Council is doing opposite
Sir, With reference to the article in The Courier, October 8, about the proposed closure of Dunino Primary School and other schools within Fife, may I raise the following points.
The below inflation grants to local authorities within Scotland was an attempt by the Scottish Government to slim down the various councils and not to close schools and lay off front-line staff.
Fife Council, however, appears to be doing the opposite. At a recent public meeting I attended, the senior officers within the council outnumbered the councillors present. Does that not tell you something?
I think that I can guarantee that no-one within the estates department will lose his or her job following the closure of the targeted schools.
Allan Murray. 44 Napier Road, Glenrothes.
What about democracy?
Sir, What has happened to our country? This is supposed to be a democratic society so why is it that councillors, voted in by the people of Fife, can be overruled by the Scottish Government Reporter?
St Andrews University were refused permission by Fife Council to erect six 328-foot wind turbines at Kenly Farm, which would have blighted the landscape.
This decision, however, has been overthrown by Alistair Edwards, the Government Reporter.
The people of the East Neuk should not stand by and let this happen. They should write to their MSP telling him they are not happy with the way this planning application has been handled by the reporter and want the project abandoned.
It probably won’t help but anything is worth a try. It won’t be long until the Scottish Parliament elections so perhaps now is the time to apply pressure.
Raymon Gray. 8 Blalowan Park, Cupar.
Grateful thanks
Sir, Different groups in Fife’s East Neuk held various events in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Over £6,000 was raised a total above anything we imagined. On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support I thank all organisers, bakers, helpers and of course supporters.
Colin Campbell. Chairperson East Neuk Branch of Macmillan Cancer Support.