Fears for Dundee social work base as staff re-located
There are fears over the future of Dundee City Council's social work base in Claverhouse amid claims staff are being told to work from home.
A number of teams working at the office on Jack Martin Way have recently been moved to 'alternative bases'.
The local authority says this is part of 'continued planned service developments'.
However, a whistle-blower contacted The Courier to raise concerns staff who have been re-located are being advised to work from home.
And they fear the wider Claverhouse base will eventually be shut and the building rented out.
This, they added, would 'deprive Dundee city taxpayers of a valuable office in the community'.
The Courier contacted Dundee City Council to enquire about the status of the Claverhouse base.
We asked the local authority to clarify the following:
A spokesperson for the local authority responded that 'reviews are regularly undertaken into the council's building estate'.
This, they detailed, involves 'looking at the amount and type of buildings, as well as the services delivered from those locations'.
The spokesperson also pointed to the council's 'Corporate Property Asset Management Plan'.
This is a framework which will shape the management of their building stock over the next five years.
Among the points made in the report is how 'partnership and sharing with other public and private organisations is key to the use of local authority buildings going forward'.
However, Dundee City Council would not confirm if there were plans to fully shut the Claverhouse office.
Instead, the spokesperson added: 'As part of continued planned service developments, some teams have moved from Claverhouse to alternative bases.
'Direct discussions would take place with staff about any future developments.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Courier
3 hours ago
- The Courier
Debate: Dundonians slam 'money grabbing' city tourist tax proposals - what do you think?
Dundonians have been having their say on proposals to introduce a tourist tax in the city. On Monday, councillors on the local authority's economic growth committee will discuss a report outlining how a visitor levy could be implemented in the city. They will also be asked to approve an engagement exercise with local businesses and residents, which could begin this summer. A working group would be set up with council and third-party representatives to engage with local businesses, residents and 'any other relevant partners'. Feedback from this will then be heard by councillors at a committee meeting, where they will decide whether a statutory consultation should be approved. The earliest date a Dundee tourist tax will be launched is spring 2028. Ahead of Monday's meeting, readers of The Courier have been having their say on the possible Dundee tourist tax. Writing on our website, one commenter said: 'We should be welcoming tourists with open arms, yet the current state of Dundee's city centre paints a far bleaker picture. 'Boarded-up shops, deserted high streets, and a lack of investment make it increasingly difficult to imagine why anyone would choose to visit. 'It's a deeply concerning reflection of ongoing neglect.' Another added: 'Holiday tax on visiting tourists is just another way of money grabbing by way of tax manipulation. 'The leisure industry already under attack by high costs and high prices again have to take the brunt by upping the prices to cover.' And 'Steve C' wrote: 'Lots of tourist destinations have a tourist tax and people are willing to pay. 'That being said, surely by paying to stay in the first place helps the local economy through employment and taxes paid by the business the tourists use.' But what do you think of the proposals? Is introducing a tourist tax in Dundee a wise move to boost the city or will it turn people away?
The Courier
10 hours ago
- The Courier
Angus South SNP hopeful vows to fight for 'scunnered' locals and independence
The SNP's Angus South hopeful Lloyd Melville says he'll fight ruthlessly for 'scunnered' locals who are concerned about health and education. Mr Melville, a councillor for the Monifieth and Sidlaw ward, will stand under the SNP banner at the Scottish Parliament election next year as incumbent MSP Graeme Dey stands down. Speaking to The Courier, the 24-year-old Holyrood hopeful set out his priorities in the local school estate and rural healthcare. Mr Melville, who party insiders say is among the 'next generation' of leaders in the SNP, told The Courier: 'We're listening to people at the moment. 'What they are telling us is that there are particular challenges around healthcare, the cost of living, around education. 'People are feeling a bit powerless and scunnered at the moment. My priority is to act on those areas. 'In healthcare, for instance, the Scottish Government is investing targeted sums to bring down waiting times, which is good progress but there is much more that needs to be done. 'What I pledge to do as the candidate is listen to communities across Angus South and ruthlessly and relentlessly stand up for those priorities in the Scottish Parliament.' He added: 'As a local councillor one of the things I've helped to do is deliver record investment in the education estate. 'I think there is more that needs to be done there in terms of rejuvenating the school estate in Angus and making further improvement. 'I want to make sure that we protect our rural healthcare setting and look at what more can be done to ensure that housing developments pays towards the cost of local services like health and social care. 'We know the impact that has, particularly in places like Monifieth.' Asked about his other priorities, Mr Melville says it would be 'remiss' not to say that he wants Scotland to be an independent country. 'That's very much up there on my list of priorities,' he adds. Asked how he would seek to convince voters in Angus, he explained: 'The onus is on us to make sure that independence is relevant. That's what the first minister is seeking to do. 'We have to make independence relevant and interesting again to ordinary folk. That's going to be my focus. It's about delivery in the here and now and relating independence to people's everyday concerns.' SNP MSP Graeme Dey has represented Angus South since 2011 and was re-elected in 2021 with 50.7% of the vote and a majority of more than 6,000. The Scottish Conservatives have selected anti-pylon campaigner and councillor Tracey Smith to face off against Mr Melville. She is founder and chair of the Save Our Mearns pressure group. The party came second at the last election.
The Courier
a day ago
- The Courier
Angus killer Tasmin Glass parole deferral slammed as 'appalling'
The deferral of Angus killer Tasmin Glass' parole bid has been slammed as 'appalling'. Liam Kerr, justice spokesperson for the Conservatives, criticised the treatment of her victim's family, the Donaldsons, during the process. Glass' latest parole bid was deferred on Wednesday after the board failed to reach a decision following her recall to prison. It will now be around six to eight weeks before the case is considered again by the board at an oral hearing. Mr Kerr told The Courier: 'It is appalling that this family have once again been left in limbo. 'After first having to suffer through Tasmin Glass being released only halfway through her sentence, this decision will only add to their trauma. 'It looks as though the needs of a cold-blooded killer are being put above those of the victims' family which is all too often the case in the SNP's soft-touch justice system. 'Steven Donaldson's family deserve to be treated much better than this and for parole decisions to stop being kicked into the long grass.' The North East MSP's words reflect the feelings of Steven's dad Bill when he learned the case had been pushed on. He called the situation 'a nonsense'. 'This means this is, yet again, going to drag on for us,' Bill told The Courier. 'We now have to go through the entire procedure yet again. 'We can take comfort from the fact she currently remains in prison but how much longer do we have to deal with this. 'Yet again Glass seems to be dictating terms.' Glass was convicted of culpable homicide in 2019 for her 'pivotal role' in the murder of Steven and sentenced to 10-years in prison. Last July, halfway through her term, the killer was granted her freedom. The Donaldson family were left in limbo twice during that time thanks to deferrals by the board. Nine months after being paroled, Glass was back in jail after breaking the conditions of her release. Through our A Voice for Victims campaign, The Courier has been working with families like the Donaldsons to bring reforms to the Scottish parole system. We want more transparency, better communication for victims and a rethink on automatic parole consideration for violent offenders halfway through their sentence. The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
