Sir, Perth and Kinross Council has announced two costly projects, costing millions between them. One is either to replace general waste bins with smaller versions or to keep the full-size bins and reduce household waste collections from once a fortnight to once a month. The other is to develop Mill Street into a kind of cultural centre for the city.
Meanwhile, a mobile squad to deal with urgent repairs, replacements and improvements has been formed, with a “foreperson” in charge. (What’s wrong with calling the person a supervisor?) That will be another drain on finances.
We are constantly being told by our councils that they are so short of money they have to cut services, yet they can find the cash to fund these unnecessary changes. Arguments can be found to defend both ventures, but this is not the time. Councils throughout the land, including ours, also indulge in pet schemes like erecting sculptures in our streets and parks.
The aim of the waste bin reorganisation is to improve the environment and cut down on pollution and waste going to landfill. Yet Perth and Kinross Council repeatedly report serious air pollution in traffic hotspots such as Atholl Street and Bridgend. This problem has been made even worse by the council’s installation of traffic-calming schemes and the elimination of so-called “rat runs”, so that local drivers are forced to make through traffic even slower by being funnelled along the same congested routes, as, for instance, Dunkeld Road, Barrack Street and Atholl Street. Traffic bumps and 20mph speed limits. These just cause even more vehicle emissions.
Instead of their grandiose and politically correct schemes, Perth and Kinross Council should be using what cash they have to bring our roads up to an acceptable standard and improving, not cutting, services. They should also be trying to reduce costs in staffing and other ways and to save their pennies for the one great project which could solve many problems at once a road bridge over the Tay and the completion of a ring-road round Perth taking through traffic away from the centre.
Do these councillors have no vision at all?
George K McMillan. 5 Mount Tabor Avenue, Perth.
First Minister was not put to the test
Sir, Andrew Little rightly described Alex Salmond’s relaxed performance during Tuesday evening’s Q & A session, part of Dundee University’s 5 Million Questions project (Consummate performer sails through questions, The Courier, June 4).
Sadly, he was not put to the test as David Torrance conducted a very anodyne interview which failed to trouble or challenge the First Minister.
The follow-up questions from members of the audience were almost exclusively posed by supporters of the Yes campaign.
There were no questions about the EU, currency union, pensions, welfare, defence or the setting up costs of a new Scotland; and as a result, this whole debate lacked drama and atmosphere and in my view was an opportunity missed.
Where is Jeremy Paxman when you need him?
Ronald J Sandford. 1 Scott Garden, Kingsbarns.
Poor show by Gordon Brown
Sir, I attended an event at Bonar Hall, Dundee, this week to hear Gordon Brown MP discuss the referendum and what United with Labour can do for our country. Gordon spoke in favour of Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom, saying that a union for social justice with fairness at its core is what Scotland needs. He also focused on the need for the UK to share resources.
However, like a few other loyal Labour Party members who attended, I felt very disappointed that there was no opportunity to ask questions or challenge the simplistic, negative views presented. We were instead curtly informed that Gordon would only be available to sign copies of his recent book.
It seems inconceivable that the traditional party of the people has now become so distant and remote from ordinary folk that it is deemed acceptable by organisers to hold political events without giving the rank and file membership a chance to debate important issues.
Is a former Prime Minister really that incapable of responding to concerns or is he so insecure in his weak argument that he’s afraid to respond? This situation is quite unacceptable and is why more and more Labour voters are slowly but surely beginning to realise that we are being taken for granted.
We will not be instructed by our leaders in Westminster how to vote in this referendum. We are perfectly capable of clear thinking and making our own decisions unlike Gordon Brown who has again shown that he has sold out his socialist principles to “Middle England”.
Mike Barile. 1 Gauldie Road, Dundee.
Wildlife habitat destroyed
Sir, Struan Primary School in Calvine has been closed for a number of years and is being sadly neglected. The harling is falling off the external walls, allowing rain to penetrate the brickwork; no doubt causing further damage to the structure.
However, without fail an employee arrives on a weekly basis and cuts the grass, whether it is needed or not!
Earlier we were admiring a vast swathe of daisies which were showing above the grass and attracting all sorts of insects, some bees and butterflies. Now the daisies are no more, having been mown down.
Does the council not care about the environment? Does the destruction of the wildlife habitat come before the preservation of the buildings in their ownership?
Alan Walker. Struan Hall, Calvine, Perthshire.