Discovery-on-Tay: Local politicans on the regeneration of Tayside

We asked prominent politicians in Tayside,  what the area's greatest assets were apart from the people, and its greatest challenges.

Jim McGovern, MP for Dundee West: People are the greatest asset of the region of course but beyond that, we are blessed to live in a part of the world of outstanding beauty.

One of the greatest sights in the world is the view from the top of the Law on a clear day. The views over Fife and the Tay Estuary are stunning and the natural beauty of the wider area provides a great opportunity for further expanding our tourist trade.

Joe Fitzpartick, MSP for Dundee City West: The people are our greatest asset and we have been lucky enough to attract people here from across the world. There are scientists of around 120 different nationalities working at Dundee University and some are among the most eminent and qualified in the world. Our population has great diversity and is a key strength.

Over history, people in Dundee and Tayside have adapted to meet the challenges of new industries. A perfect example of this is the computer games industry which has innovated and expanded from small beginnings in and around Abertay University to become a significant and successful part of a global industry.

Councillor Iain Gaul, leader Angus Council: I can tell you what the greatest assets of Angus are. Apart from the people we have Scotland in miniature. Anything happens in Scotland, from whisky distilleries to engineering. You name it. If it happens in Scotland it happens in Angus. We might do it smaller, but I think we do it better. We do it with care and passion. It’s the best place in Scotland to live.

What are its biggest challenges?

McGovern: I know my colleague Gordon Banks MP has spoken widely about the problems facing Perthshire around planning decisions and reinvigorating the smaller town centres in the area. From our perspective, the biggest problem facing Dundee is the issue of employment and our need to find well-paid sustainable jobs.

I’ve spoken at length about the opportunities offered by the Computer Games Industry and Dundee’s history of leading innovation in that area is both a source of pride and provides us with the perfect platform for future growth and expansion.

When we developed Lemmings, it was arguably one of the first breakout games and we’ve spun that in to developing modern classics like Grand Theft Auto. Perhaps more importantly, our work has shown the way in which we can use high end technical advances to benefit the whole community. When we built the ZX Spectrum at Timex in the early 80s, it helped provide jobs right across the community.

Similarly, I’ve been proud to support Dundee’s Life Sciences projects since my election in 2005. I said then that it was vital for the Scottish University system, the city’s future and the local economy that we continue to invest in the research being carried out here in Dundee. I’m proud of the work done under Labour governments to support the sector and while in opposition I’ve taken great care to congratulate our opponents when they do the right thing but hold them to account when they fail to do so.

One of the great opportunities for future job growth is around the decommissioning of oil platforms. Scottish Labour has consistently argued that Dundee is best equipped to carry out this work. We have the ideal geographic location and our industrial history of engineering and ship building has left us with a deep reserve of skilled workers who are ideally suited for this work. We need the UK and Scottish Governments to start working with Dundee City Council to ensure that we don’t miss out.

Fitzpartick: As always, the need to attract investment and employers so that long-term, well-paid jobs can be created. We also have a significant challenge in drugs and alcohol misuse and other health issues.

Gaul: It is inequalities. Getting people into work. Not just work but real value in employment by bringing skills and higher grade jobs into the area. Inequalities in rural areas are slightly different from cities. There are different problems, different issues. Somebody can get on a bus in Dundee and get to wherever they want to go. If you want a bus from the glens there might not be one. Angus has got seven burghs which means we’ve got seven things from swimming pools, leisure centres etc. Dundee has a super duper swimming pool but they’ve only got one. We’ve got one in each burgh and that kind of thing has a big impact. There’s also social inequalities. We’ve got elderly people living in glens and the more remote areas who don’t necessarily get the social inclusion that can happen in cities.

“The V&A in Dundee when it comes to fruition will be a huge draw for the whole of the east of Scotland”  Iain Gaul, leader Angus council

What is the most common issue coming up in your surgeries?

McGovern: I’ve been proud to call Dundee my home since I was 9 years old and one of the things I love most about it is the multicultural nature of the place. From the historic immigration of the Irish into the Lochee – ‘Tipperary’ - area to provide much needed support to the Jute industry, through to our vibrant Asian and East European communities we have a great history of immigrants being welcomed into our city without some of the problems that have occurred elsewhere.

It does provide a few issues and, actually, probably the most common topics at my surgeries are immigration and passport queries. It’s a real privilege to be able to help newcomers to our city and continue that great, positive history.

Fitzpartick: There’s not one particular issue, there is always a variety of subjects but jobs and housing always feature strongly as topics.

Gaul: If only it could be different… dog poo. It is. People who do not pick up after their dogs. Boy racers, and litter. That might, in places like Dundee and Glasgow, be, if you pardon the pun, poo-pooed out the road, but for us that reflects our quality of life. Angus has the best quality of life in mainland Scotland you can get. Things like that do annoy people.

“Over history, people in Dundee and Tayside have adapted to meet the challenges of new industries” Joe Fitzpartick MSP

Has the V&A Museum cost too much?

McGovern: There are a few concerns surrounding the V&A project; the choice of a contractor with a history of blacklisting, the poor budget management and the decision of Councillors to be less than transparent about the budget problems need to be properly addressed and we need to ensure that we don’t have any similar problems going forward.

That said, The V&A is a fantastic opportunity for Dundee and for the V&A to choose Dundee as the first place outside of London to license a new museum was a welcome acknowledgment of our cultural heritage. I, of course, continue to support the development and even at the increased cost, The V&A represents a sensible investment in our future that will reinvigorate the tourist trade I mention above.

Fitzpartick: The V&A has galvanised public perception of Dundee and has been an icon for its regeneration. Its importance as a symbol – the only outpost of this world-leading museum out with London – generated headlines around the world and helped to change perceptions of Dundee as a post-industrial city that is on the up.

The project has created jobs and will lead to the creation of many more during the building phase. When it is complete of course, it is expected to draw visitors from the rest of the UK and well beyond and sited beside the Discovery and the revamped Waterfront, will redefine the city in cultural terms and in how it is perceived by the public.

In terms of cost, the estimates submitted as part of the design competition process have been superseded by more realistic costings now agreed as part of a contract to build the museum, with work starting this year. I believe the city will benefit in lots of ways by having the V&A in the city and as Dundee deserves the best, the costs cannot be described as ‘too much’ instead simply as what has been negotiated and agreed by the V&A partnership with the contractors.

Gaul: I don’t know the economics of it, but I can say the V&A in Dundee when it comes to fruition will be a huge draw for the whole of the east of Scotland. It’s not just in Dundee. North Fife will benefit, Angus, Perth and Kinross will benefit. So I’ll support it if I can, just as long as it’s not financially…

“We have a great history of immigrants being welcomed into our city without some of the problems that have occurred elsewhere” Jim  McGovern MP

What impact will the development of Dundee’s Waterfront have on your constituents?

McGovern: The transformation of the Dundee Waterfront is one of the many exciting things happening in Dundee.

Although a long term plan, the benefits of the development are already being seen with the demolition of Tayside House to facilitate improved traffic works, the opening of the new Olympia to provide modern, fresh and high quality recreation facilities and a number of new hotel projects underway and already open and providing good jobs, the benefits are clear to see.

The next stages include the building of a new railway station, the continued improvement of public transport access in the area and, in time, building a new dock. Once complete, the improvement in quality of life will be clear for all to see and, by ensuring that we create stable, well-paid jobs over the course of the project and into the future we can ensure that the development has a positive impact that extends beyond the city centre into our communities.

Fitzpartick: It is already having an impact on my constituents. Firstly, the on-going Waterfront project is creating and sustaining employment and a modest number of Modern Apprenticeships, with many more jobs – up to 5,000 - expected in the future directly related to the Waterfront development.

It has led to inward investment and new hotels such as the Malmaison arriving on the scene with several others forthcoming too with employment opportunities, a new Rail station and retail concourse and significant new housing and office developments. The project has led an upturn in the property market in Dundee which benefits people trying to buy or sell a house and is also leading to builders investing in building more new homes. And of course, it is creating a new attractive civic space and urban landscape for my constituents to enjoy in the future.

Gaul: It’s got a probable boost for tourism. People come to Dundee, and would you want to spend all your time in the city, given where we are? People in Scotland don’t appreciate just exactly how beautiful Scotland is. If you’re a tourist coming to Scotland, coming to Dundee, would you want to come to the Angus glens, to the Perthshire area, to Kinnoul hill? Why not? And it will have a knock on effect. We will get a benefit from it, yes.