West End "clean-up" - councillors criticise SNP council administration

Dundee Liberal Democrat councillors have reiterated their calls for more staffing resources for parks/open space maintenance and street cleaning in Dundee.

Following a couple of days of a council-advertised “clean-up” in Pentland and Peddie Street, West End councillor Fraser Macpherson, speaking on STV news, said :

“While residents are relieved that finally some tidying up of the Peddie Street and Pentland areas has been undertaken, these one-off clean-ups are not the solution in terms of keeping communities across Dundee in a neat and tidy condition. It is simply the SNP council administration trying to mask the huge loss of staffing in environment management under its watch.”

“When I was last updated by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, the department had 39 fewer street cleaners and 22 fewer parks/open space maintenance staff than in 2015. It is long-term staffing increases the department needs, not this window dressing nonsense under the SNP. "   

“My ward colleague Councillor Michael Crichton and I have been raising issues in the Pentland area for many, many weeks. Hugely overgrown bushes meaning older residents cannot hold onto handrails coming down steps in the area, no grass cutting for weeks making the place look like a jungle and bin collection issues too.”   

“While any sort of work is welcome, this belated “clean-up” left the area still needing a lot of action. It will now be left, as the “clean up” one-off window dressing moves to another area of Dundee. It is no way to run a city.”

The Liberal Democrat councillors tried to reinstate the street cleaning at this year’s budget. They were voted down by the SNP. Lib Dems have said they will continue to campaign for more staffing resources to keep the city cleaner and tidier.