The excuse this time is that there is a desperate need to save money during the world recession.

That being the case, it should also apply to the SNP government’s plan to use over £12 m illion on a referendum about taking Scotland out of Britain, but it isn’t.

Sadly, our short-sighted politicians in Dundee and Edinburgh appear to have won through.

A share of this money could have been used to resurrect Hogmanay as an official annual event in Dundee. It used to be a big deal and I am sure it would be, if it was done properly, again.

Properly planned, the cost would be offset many times over with a massive shot in the arm for the city’s profile, not to be sniffed at in these difficult economic times. — Bigger Picture.

She then parked in a disabled bay, which, fair enough, she shouldn’t have done.

When she got out of Asda she spoke to a parking enforcer and said it was fair enough that she got a ticket, but asked what about the people who park in the parent and child spaces without kids?

She pointed to a man getting out of a car without any kids and the attendant said he can’t issue a ticket to them because he couldn’t be sure they didn’t have kids.

On the back of the ticket it says you can get a ticket if you park in the parent and child services.

It’s an absolute disgrace that you’ve got enforcers going about willy nilly handing out tickets, but not to those who park in the parent and child bays. — Kenneth Hunter.

[A spokesperson for Town and City Parking Ltd. said, “Disabled bays are provided by law and are now monitored in accordance with the Disabled Bay Parking legislation, which came into force in Scotland in October 2009.

“Parent and child bays, however, are a concession only, with no legal obligation on car park owners to control them. Asda do provide this service and Town and City Parking Ltd. monitor the disabled and parent and child bays for Asda.

“Our attendant is fully trained in all aspects of designated bay management — the legislative requirements for enforcing disabled bays and our clients' procedures regarding the management of parent and child bays.”]

Councillor Roberts is being rather selective in what she reveals in her letter.

It is true in the introduction to Towards A Safer Tayside 2010/2011, the Fire and Rescue Board convener expresses similar sentiments to those contained in Councillor Roberts’ letter.

But reading on, in the section about downgrading Balmossie, it is clearly stated that “This proposal will cost no more money and importantly no less money” (page 149 of Board Papers) since the money saved in Dundee will be earmarked for spending in Forfar.

Councillor Roberts also does not comment on why she thought that a similar proposal, which was turned down emphatically in the public consultation and by the Fire and Rescue Board in March, should be worthy of being re-examined now.

It is worth noting Councillor Robert’s constituents often rely on fire crews from Balmossie when they are moved to Kingsway East fire station to back up the crews there. — Councillor Laurie Bidwell.

The census carried out 18 months ago covered the West End, Ladywell Avenue and Crescent Lane area of Dundee, all suffering the same problems when it comes to parking.

The situation is horrendous, no parking for residents, emergency vehicles or the disabled, simply because of “free loaders”.

My partner and I were invited to a meeting last year to discuss these issues. Alternatives were discussed, but absolutely none were implemented. No one was advised of the outcome.

This issue was raised again about a month ago with Councillor Ken Lynn.

The answer we received was because of the credit crunch there are no funds to implement anything to resolve the parking issues.

So tenants and homeowners of these areas have to grin and bear it while local businesses, council workers and city centre shoppers use our parking spaces, causing not only inconvenience, but also a question regarding health and safety. — Iris Locherty.

I was appalled by the response from the council, refusing to disclose the school in question.

While I fully understand the requirements to protect the victims, I think there are reasons to be more open about the matter.

Surely the least the council could do and say publicly, is that they will contact all the parents of the school involved to inform them of the situation.

This position would alleviate the fear now being felt by parents from all primary-aged pupils and allow those with children at the school in question to seek answers to questions they would wish to ask.

This is our children’s lives and we have a right to know what is going on and those with children at the school in question, have a right to know what is going on and be kept up to date with any investigation. — Allan Petrie, Blacklock Crescent, Dundee.

I had travel arrangements in place, but have since been let down.

Are there any readers going to the concert and can offer my daughter and me a lift there and back?

I’d obviously be willing to pay a share of the petrol money. Email susansturrock@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01382 826956. — Susan Sturrock.

I live in the DD5 area in Monifieth and BBC1 has been a problem.

All other channels seem to be fine.

If the BBC will not accept there is something wrong with their transmitters, who will? — Monifieth Resident.

DANCEWORLD IS having a prize bingo in Menzieshill Community Centre, Dundee, on Friday. Eyes down 7.30pm. — Laura McGregor.

A RACE Night is being held in the Taxi Club, Rosebank Street, Dundee, in aid of funds for Boomerang Out-of-School Club on Friday at 7.30 pm. Anyone wanting to attend can get tickets on the night at a cost of £3. — Reader.