Sir, I was interested to read John Dorward’s letter in Monday’s Courier. He touches on the random casting of empty cans round the countryside but he hits a sore spot. If Scotland is the litterland of Europe then Dundee can claim to be its capital.
Visitors from England are appalled at the mass dumping of litter and the volume of used chewing-gum on all our pavements and streets.
We employ an army of excellent people to sweep them daily because of this. In my area they do a wonderful job but it is not an easy task.
Our schools employ people after the lunch break to sweep the streets because they are so ashamed of the huge accumulation of detritus that forms an ugly carpet all around their institutions.
The council have made a really good job of the city High Street, apart from the wondrous display of “to let” signs, that is; but yet again at all times of the day the cleaners struggle to clear the mess.
It seems to be a generation game; we oldies look askance as a frightening proportion of the under-forties continue to carelessly blight our would-be city of culture.
Robert Lightband. Clepington Court, Dundee.
SNP should commit to an “air hub”
Sir, After the SNP put up a pitiful fight to save RAF Leuchars, our local SNP MSP has once again jumped on the bandwagon regarding the conversion of RAF Leuchars into a commercial airfield, a flight of fancy that has been mooted for more than 20 years.
It would appear, therefore, that Rod Campbell has given up the fight for an independent Scotland, as he sees the future of the RAF Leuchars airfield resting with the Westminster Government, citing “ever changing circumstances” at the MoD.
Surely the government of an independent Scotland could do whatever it likes with RAF Leuchars and to this end, I would like to see the SNP make a commitment to carry out a feasibility study into transforming RAF Leuchars into a new commercial “air hub”, providing jobs for those who will be left unemployed by the MoD’s current inept decision and creating further new jobs for those in the local area.
No need to worry about where to put the army destined for RAF Leuchars Kinloss is currently underused, with only 720 troops occupying a large base that can never be returned for civilian redevelopment (radiation issues). Only the naive can surely believe that there will be a single Typhoon aircraft at Lossiemouth should Scotland decide to go it alone.
So let’s see the SNP put its money where its mouth is, as none of us actually knows what the SNP’s defence plans are for an independent Scotland.
Mark Sharp. 41 Norman View, Leuchars.
Cuts becoming out of control?
Sir, I was very disappointed to learn that with the exception of Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, all Fife police stations will cease to be manned 24 hours, while others will be closed completely to the public.
It is stated that the use of public counters has fallen dramatically and people are using other methods of communication, but when one has been the victim of street crime and has had their wallet and mobile communications stolen, what do they do?
There are very few public telephone kiosks operating nowadays and no one will open their door to a stranger.
The cost-cutting exercises are running out of control and, as always, the cuts are being made at the wrong end of the ladder and affecting the vulnerable.
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.
Focus on cost is misleading
Sir, Your article about the use of independent fostering providers was misleading (Council’s action plan to recruit foster carers, October 1).
When a child comes into care, it’s the local authority’s duty to find the best home for that child, for however long they need it. Often this will be with one of their own foster carers, but where they do not have anyone who can meet the individual needs of a child, then it is right that they look elsewhere.
Independent fostering providers often provide specialist foster carers, and the reality is that they often find homes for children who may otherwise be in residential care, which would cost far more than foster care.
Moreover, the costs quoted in the article do not compare like with like; the cost for an independent agency also includes spending on a social worker and other support for their foster carers, while the local authority figure only covers the money actually paid to a foster carer.
It is right that all local authorities actively recruit to find the foster carers that they need, but every authority across Scotland and indeed the UK will also need the services of independent providers. Developing good relationships and working together in the interests of the child is what is needed, not a disproportionate and misleading focus on cost.
Decisions about where a child lives should not be financial, but rather about the best place for them to grow up and receive the care and support that they need.
Sara Lurie, Director. The Fostering Network Scotland.