Dundee City Council outlines £320 million spending programme 'to support the local economy'
Dundee City Council is to commit a major investment totalling more than £320 million in new and refurbished facilities in schools, housing, community buildings and roads over the next four years.
Dundee City Council's new Dundee House headquarters.
- By Andrew Argo
- Published in the Courier : 25.01.12
- Published online : 25.01.12 @ 05.38pm
It is a gross figure and includes the council's contribution to the £45 million V&A museum on the waterfront, the £24 million new Olympia swimming pool and the £31 million refurbishment of Harris Academy.
The project list also includes new primaries at Whitfield, the West End and Balgarthno and the extension or refurbishment works at eight other schools.
In social work, Craigie House and Elmgrove House will be replaced and the MacKinnon and Whitetop Centres will be upgraded.
The general services draft capital plan, including spending by the council, Scottish Government and other agencies, was finalised on Tuesday and will be submitted to the policy and resources committee for approval as part of the council tax setting meeting next month.
Ken Guild, leader of the SNP administration, said: ''We are determined to take action to support the local economy and help protect people and jobs through this difficult period. This significant investment in our city's buildings and infrastructure is proof that we are working confidently and looking to the future to take the city forward and support families, businesses and communities.
''We will do everything possible to encourage local companies to bid for work on council contracts and provide jobs for local people.''
Finance spokesman Willie Sawers said: ''Planned investment in a wide range of projects will deliver first-class facilities throughout our local communities and will benefit young and old alike.
''In the four years to 2016, we will see the new Harris Academy, the completion of new primaries at Whitfield, West End and Balgarthno and in addition we will be building two new primary schools with community facilities at Coldside and Menzieshill.
''Our plan for schools also includes the extension of Barnhill Primary and the refurbishment of seven primaries at Glebelands, Clepington, Longhaugh, Ancrum Road, Blackness, St Mary's and Dens Road. In social work, we are replacing Craigie House and Elmgrove House as well as upgrading the MacKinnon and Whitetop Centres.''
Mr Sawers said that over the next four years the council was committed to an investment of over £27 million in the environment to help all road users.
Later this year the new Olympia will be complete and there will be further investment in parks and leisure centres.
He continued: ''The redevelopment of the central waterfront remains a key component in the council's drive to reshape the city and maximise opportunities for the future.
''At the heart of the central waterfront development is the V&A and we have also now included £1.5 million to help deliver the refurbishment of Dundee railway station.''
Conservative group leader Rod Wallace welcomed the spending plan but said it was hard not to be cynical.
He said: ''Barnhill is the second most overcrowded primary school in Dundee, and for many years my colleague and fellow Ferry Councillor Derek Scott and I tried through the proper channels to persuade the council to spend some money on improving the school's facilities. We were knocked back time after time.
''It is amazing how an election (the council polls are on May 3) seem to focus the administration, and now we have £1 million allocated for four more classrooms and a refurbishment project for Barnhill.''
Liberal Democrat leader Fraser Macpherson said he and colleague Helen Dick would meet the chief executive and director of finance to discuss the plan.
06.13pm - 25.01.2012 Rob - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I believe the £31million Harris project is being run by the new Scottish Govertment hub, which has been setup for these major projects. If so, the main Contractors and subs will not be local, they will be one of the multi nationals.So theres £31 million instantly disappearing from the local economy!
09.43pm - 25.01.2012 Cory Douglas Campbell - Maryfield, Scotland Report This
The great glass beast that is Dundee House has become a joke. Walk or drive by our new multi million pound "Star of Dundee" on see how the windows are covered with plans, 2 do lists, football pools, staff party notices, maps, & other assorted rubish. A Great image of DCC 4 the visitors to our city!
07.47am - 26.01.2012 Derek - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
I want a money printing machine too!
03.13pm - 26.01.2012 Brian - Dundee, Scotland Report This
But Mr Wallace when you and your colleagues were propping up the Labour administration and Barnhill was in the capital plan NOTHING happened. It's a bit rich to criticise the SNP for saying they will do something that you singularly failed to do when you had the power to do it
09.02pm - 26.01.2012 dark days - Angus, Angus Report This
Rob is right. The Hubco will cherry pick the best jobs from DCC and AC and go source the design, and labour from the central belt. Goodbye local jobs and re-investment by them into the Tayside economy. It's a PFI by any other name. Setup by the Scot. Gov by accountants at a cost to the local economy
12.54pm - 30.01.2012 West ender - Dundee, UK Report This
If the Cooncil really wants to put money back into the loacl economy - then they should cut the Cooncil Tax! and reel in their spending rather than wasting it on whimsical projects such as the Harris refurb. How many 11 - 18 years olds live in the immediate area round the school?
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