A community group leader has vented their outrage at “absurd” plans to change the boundaries of Broughty Ferry.
Brian Cunningham, leader of the West Ferry Action Group, said several community council groups had invited representatives of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland (LGBC) to visit the town, but they had refused.
He also called on his local MSP, Shona Robison, to represent her constituents and take action on the proposed changes.
The group’s response comes after the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland recommended Dundee elect two additional councillors due to proposed changes to the city’s ward boundaries.
If those plans are approved by the Scottish Government, they would see alterations made to Coldside, Maryfield, the East End and the Ferry.
Their recommendations come despite the objections of thousands of Broughty Ferry residents and the city’s councillors.
Mr Cunningham said: “We have all read the report and its findings and we all have a huge problem with it.
“They claim to have listened to the views of the residents, and we wondering to which views they have listened to.
“From our point of view, LGBC simply were not listening to our views.
“Broughty Ferry Community Council, West Ferry Action Group and the local council have all said they see no need for any change and no need for the addition of any new councillors and with the council looking to save money and reduce the budget, we feel that it would be politically unwise to create the new posts.
“The thousands of objection letters that were sent to object to the boundary changes shows the depth of concern from Broughty Ferry residents.”
Mr Cunningham said the letters of objection sent to LGBC had followed the criteria set out by the commission.
He added: “Community groups in Broughty Ferry invited the local boundary commission group to come and visit us here for a fact finding visit, which they refused to do.
“We found their refusal to come and see the community for themselves entirely absurd. We are of course outraged.
“The consultation process has been a complete and utter shambles.
“Broughty Ferry residents concerned by the change have been contacting me in large numbers in horror about the proposals.
“For the local boundary commission to go through with this consultation process and then ignore it is staggering.”
Mr Cunningham said employing more councillors in a time of austerity was not a “smart move” and branded the plan “duplicitous”.
He claimed LGBC should be taking notice of the views of residents and vowed to officially query the competency of the report.
“It is not just a Broughty Ferry issue, but an issue that will affect the whole of Dundee,” he said.
“There is no need for change, if it isn’t broken then why are they trying to fix it – at a great expense.
“If they do impose this change, then I believe there will be a political backlash from the residents of Broughty Ferry. We will not forget what has happened at the next set of elections.
LGBC was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of going to print.
pamalik@thecourier.co.uk
