By Alison Graves

THE CHAIRMAN of Broughty Ferry Community Council wants to welcome on board local pupils who have been reported as behaving disrespectfully towards older people in the area.

George Ferguson said he wasn’t entirely shocked by a claim that local teens had a lack of citizenship and thinks the pupils from Grove Academy had no respect for the community through a lack of things to do.

This comes after a community council member witnessed abusive and disrespectful behaviour —on more than one occasion— towards the elderly in the suburb and mentioned it at a recent meeting.

Mr Ferguson, who plans to give a talk to the pupils on their return from summer break, said, “I can’t judge these kids on something that I haven’t seen myself. People at every generation level have a certain lack of respect, from young to elderly.

“I’m certainly going to mention this in my talk to them, but I really want to get them involved in their local community—it’s the best way forward for them. Mutual respect between all age groups is the key.”

He believed Broughty Ferry would benefit from Grove pupils joining the community council.

He stated, “Every generation should be involved and working together as one single unit. As it is, there’s nothing for the younger generation to do in the Ferry—not even a cinema.

“We need to hear what they want and I think the way forward is for four generations; under-20s, mid-20s, the 25-40 range and 45-plus, to pull together to achieve this. It should be possible for kids and adults to work as one.”

The academy’s headmaster has told the community council he is limited in what can be done about behaviour beyond the school gates.

Mr Ferguson added, “Local kids don’t need me telling them what they can and can’t do— that’s what their parents should be teaching them.”