Unveiled for city

‘No one left behind’ in five-year council vision

The 2017-2022 plan provides a road map on how the authority will help deliver thousands of new jobs, build affordable homes, tackle poverty and cut CO2 emissions.

It identifies six key challenges — social, economic, environmental sustainability, community safety and health and wellbeing and organisational — while promising to make Dundee a “leading council” compared to other authorities i n Scotland.

Among the ambitions is a desire to close the gap between Dundee and the rest of Scotland in terms of employment rates.

According to the latest figures by the Office for National Statistics, only 66.4% of working age people in Dundee are employed, compared to 73% nationally.

Council leader John Alexander said the authority has set a target of 5,000 new jobs for people in the city over the next decade.

The arrival of the V&A design museum, future decommissioning contracts at Dundee Port, the new social security agency headquarters and further investment through the Tay Cites Deal would go “some way” to achieving that target, he said.

He added: “Over the next five years, we’ll build on the strong partnerships that already exist across the public, private, education and third sectors.”

Another top priority is children and families.

Among the council’s targets is a plan to narrow the attainment gap between high achievers and children experiencing economic and social deprivation by December 2021.

A strategy to build and refurbish new and existing school buildings across the city by April 2022 is also included, as is a pledge to meet the national target of providing 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare for three and four-yearolds and vulnerable children under two.

Housing is another issue, and the council has set a target of April 2021 to build 1,000 new affordable units, which are efficient to heat.

Tackling health inequality, reducing antisocial behaviour and promoting the cultural heritage of Dundee are also among the proposals.

Key performance indicators and actions from the plan will be published on the council’s website and will also be subject to six-monthly reports to councillors.

The plan goes before councillors next week.

Mr Alexander added: “This is a bold and ambitious plan to tackle the root causes of social exclusion to ensure no one is left behind in the development of the new city economy.

“To get where we need to be relies on our ability to adapt and to engage with our communities, to collaborate more with neighbouring councils and to continue to be flexible and innovative.

“We know that a lot of work lies ahead if we are to make our vision of a smarter, fairer, more vibrant and attractive Dundee a reality.

“Just last week we have seen reports highlighting social issues in the city and, separately, the financial challenges Scottish councils are facing.

“Challenges should not temper our ambition, however, and that’s why this plan is so important.” Ourvoice

IMPROVING the lives of children and the unemployed are among the “bold and ambitious” targets set out in the city council’s new five-year plan.

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