As a result house prices are being driven beyond the reach of many Dundonians. First-time buyers are especially affected.

For their part, surveyors have called on Dundee City Council to release more land and speed up planning applications.

They note a lack of quality housing is contributing to the city’s declining population.

Contrast this with our neighbours in Angus and Perthshire.

There the shackles have been well and truly removed.

There a host of quality residential developments exist as a testimony to Dundee’s tardiness.

News of further developments indicates an urgent need for our council to get its act together.

This is why the importance of the Dundee Western Villages project to the local economy cannot be over-stated.

Successful completion will not only help make inroads into reversing the population loss but will also show prospective buyers Dundee can provide for their needs.

Much emphasis has been placed on this venture. But those in charge must ensure the plight of the first-time buyer does not become a casualty in all the excitement. — L. M. Leitch, St Fillans Road, Dundee.

However, I find the latest decision in Dundee to increase councillors’ travelling allowances and upgrade air travel of more than six hours to business class totally disgusting.

For many years now, ordinary members of staff, travelling outwith the city boundary on official business and using their own cars, have had their expenses restricted to the cost of using public transport for the same journey.

In addition, senior members of staff were able to travel first class thereby incurring substantial extra expense compared to the normal employees.

No doubt this 33% rise in car mileage will once again be borne by the city’s long-suffering Council Tax payers.

These same elected members are “earning” good money between their attendance allowances and in many cases responsibility allowances.

Councillor George Regan may say he dislikes the expression “junketing”, but I feel this sums up many traits.

How many would continue to serve as councillors if they were not being so well rewarded financially?

For obvious reasons I shall remain anonymous. — Broughty Reader.

Having trawled the list I have failed to find a childminder able to do this. I phoned the Family Tax Credit helpline to explain only to be told there was nothing they could do.

I work full time to support my child yet now find myself in a position where I may have to give up my job.

Some irresponsible parents are claiming child care costs and getting family members to care for their children.

The Government tells us they will help us to work and care for our children yet people like me may be forced to give up.

The authorities should wake up and stop looking after the benefit fraudsters and start looking after hard-working parents who have enough pride to go out to earn money to support their family. — Hard Working Mum.

Why should a female be running the line at an all-male sporting occasion? A woman’s place is definitely in the home.

Don McVicar, head of referee development at the SFA, is annoyed. However, how many females are in the corridors of power of the Scottish Football Association?

Has Morag Pirie the linesman, sorry lineswoman, sorry assistant referee, actually participated in football at any top level?

Also, can someone explain to me why a female can be one of three judges at a world boxing title contest?

How can a female, who’s never fought in a ring, make such important decisions? — Smokin’ Joe.

Pick yourself up, dust yourself down,

And start all over again.

Nothing impossible, I have found

But when my feet are on the ground,

I pick myself up, dust myself down.

We think Fred Astaire was involved. — Hilltown Housewives.

[Titled Pick Yourself Up, the song and dance featured in the 1936 Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film Swing Time. The musical score was by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Field.]

What are we getting for this scandalous amount?

Little as it’s not the viewer who is benefiting. — B. B.