The surprise decision by the city council to reconsider its proposal to axe the DUNCAN anti-crime project has been warmly welcomed.
In a surprise move on Friday evening, administration finance spokesman Willie Sawers announced the initiative was saved after the council identified new savings from its energy budget.
It came following feedback the council received after the initial proposal was announced, he said.
The decision took worried business leaders by surprise but the U-turn was warmly welcomed by Jon Walton, chairman of the Dundee Business Improvement District steering group and DD One, the city centre action group.
He said: “I’m over the moon because we were looking at how we could keep the lobbying going and try to get the council to look at ways of saving DUNCAN.
“We didn’t know they were even reconsidering it, so it’s absolutely brilliant news for us and all those who rely on the network.
“I think everyone will be as delighted as I am and what we have to do now is sit down with my steering group and with the partners at DD One and look at how we can make DUNCAN even better than it is and grow the membership.”
The DUNCAN project, often hailed as an “outstanding success” in reducing city centre crime, was set to be axed by the city council in a cost-cutting move for the 2015/16 budget.
The proposal caused huge controversy among city centre traders who say the service is vital in thwarting criminal activity.
Calls had been made to the council urging them to reconsider and the administration has clearly listened.
Mr Sawers said: “Given the representations that we have received we are delighted officers have managed to identify savings that will allow us to continue our support.”
Mr Walton said the business community accepted the city council is facing difficult financial decisions but DUNCAN members believed the project is vital to businesses.