Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – In response to Mr Cordell’s misinformed judgment of the concerns of UNISON and myself recently reported in The Courier it was the successful team combination year on year of 16,234 police officers and 6,000 police staff that resulted in the lowest reported crime across Scotland.
The ‘soundbite’ manifesto pledge by the Conservatives and the SNP of 1,000 extra cops on the street was indeed an artificial one. The reason being, the additional 1,000 have actually replaced the 1,000 police staff roles in specialised and support functions that have been systematically culled as well as non-filling of vacant posts.
This was the only option open to chief constables. A political gun was being held to their head to balance reduced budgets.
As a taxpayer myself I do not wish public money to be spent on services formerly carried out by police staff and which now costs double because it’s done by a police officer.
If Mr Cordell has any further concerns I am more than happy to discuss and I’m sure another 500-plus police staff in Tayside could enlighten him as well.
Lastly, the Labour Party has never stated they wish reduced numbers of police officers, however they do recognise that it makes economic and business sense to have the right people for the right jobs.
I am pleased Mr Cordell recognises me as a Labour candidate. I hope my local party branch has the same faith!
George McIrvine.Secretary, UNISONTayside Police Staff Branch.vice-Chair UNISONPolice & JusticeScottish Committee.
Town centre shops had their day?
Sir, – I would like to comment on the recent planning reversal by Angus Council.
Congratulations must go to Mark Guild for his tenacity in persuading the council to reverse the Scottish Government’s decision to grant planning permission for the smaller “in town” development at J & D Wilkie’s Gairie works site. Instead of green fields on the Forfar road approach to Kirriemuir we will now have a supermarket, car park and yet another housing development.
Our one remaining textile factory has survived against the odds as a major employer in the town and its red sandstone exterior and traditional building design provides a pleasant view at the bottom of Bellie’s Brae.
The setting, combined with the neatly tended Commonty sloping down to the Gairie Burn, gives a foretaste of the delightful “Wee Red Toon”.
This planning decision may now have condemned the Gairie site to a further period of decay, since it seems unlikely a smaller scale development could now be sustainable.
It is possible the council may have signed the death knell of the business itself especially since it ignored the recommendations of its own officers.
When town centres are obviously struggling to survive in the face of the apparently unstoppable tide of out-of-town retail developments it has become increasingly evident that this latest twist will make it even more difficult for independent retailers to remain profitable.
A “retail expert” recently wrote in The Courier business section he believed town centre shops have “had their day” and we should not try to save them (eg the Mary Portas project). Maybe he is right?
Ronald W. Silverstone.1 Shielhill Road,Northmuir, Kirriemuir.
Only a matter of time…
Sir, – It was only a matter of time before the allegedly “neutral” organs and institutions of the British state were deployed by the panic-stricken unionist establishment to counter the rising support for Scottish independence.
The recent boorish behaviour of Dimbleby and Paxman towards senior SNP politicians was followed by BBC London preventing Alex Salmond commenting on a sporting competition. We can expect more of the same as we progress to autumn 2014.
But this rather early playing of the “joker” card by the pan-unionist coalition simply underlines two facts. First, whatever “positive case” they thought they had to defend the Union has clearly already been trumped and, second, their disgraceful, underhand and manipulative actions demonstrate beyond doubt that the British state is one unworthy of having the Scots remaining within it.
Brian McGarry.37 Preston Crescent,Inverkeithing.
Panto season still with us
Sir, – Lord Caithness says “Don’t let Scotland keep Rockall”. So what about Mull, Isle of May or Arran, then? I thought panto season was over but this latest wheeze from the House of Lords makes me wonder.
Ian Gilbert.16 Robertson Crescent,Pitlochry.
No pride in Scotland?
Sir, – Regarding Mr Kenny’s letter about being better off in England, has it escaped his notice the UK is already in recession due to years of mismanagement by both Labour and Tory governments?
Where’s your pride in Scotland?
Peter Bell.11 Muirton Road,Arbroath.
A great success
Sir, – I write on behalf of the Tayside Christmas Carol Concert Committee to let everyone who attended or bought tickets for the Tayside and Fife Health Services and Friends Christmas Carol Concert held in December 2011 know that we were able to send the sum of £15,500 to CLIC Sargent.
I would like to express the committee’s thanks to all who attended and all those who worked tirelessly to make it such as success.
Kay A. S. Simpson.Hon Secretary,Balmullo.
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.