It states, “Dundee City Council could be set to overtake Scottish Government guidelines for the number of P1-3 children taught in classes with a maximum size of 18 pupils.”

Two of the schools listed as being priority primaries are St Clement’s and Charleston. Perhaps this is achievable in the short term as these schools currently have the number of classrooms required.

However, I fail to see how, once the council has completed its proposal to merge Lochee and Charleston Primaries on a shared campus with St Clement’s, this can be sustainable.

As the proposal stands, there will be two single stream primaries with an additional four ‘spare’ classrooms.

Using the council’s own projections for pupil numbers, I cannot see how it will be possible to continue with classes of 18 for P1-3 once the new schools are built.

Is this another case of the SNP vote-chasing at the expense of our children’s education and future? — Powerless Parent.

Almost nightly, television brings home the dangers faced and sacrifice made by our gallant armed forces in Afghanistan.

Surely some sort of tribute to these men and women is worth consideration?

In a survey, 62% of those asked were in favour of our armed forces being recognised in this way, the figure rising to 92% among those from a military background.

An exhibition by Turner prize-winning artist Steve McQueen entitled Queen and Country has sought to recognise the sacrifice made in Iraq.

The exhibition comprised sheets of stamps on trays which slide from a solid oak box. Each sheet carried in stamp form, the portrait of a member of the British armed forces who has died in Iraq.

But until an official set of stamps are commissioned, it is felt the project is incomplete.

To that end, many families continue to campaign, and an online petition (www.artfund.org/queenandcountry) has attracted nearly 22,000 signatures.

Royal Mail receives many submissions, but few can match a tribute to the brave men and women who risk their lives in the service of our nation. — Support Our Troops.

This year, in Tayside, the good people of Dundee, from all walks of life, poor people, old people, wealthy people and the general public brought a smile to over 5000 sick, disabled and underprivileged children. The campaign brought so many people together from all walks of life.

I feel so proud to be part of the city, where together we can make things better to the lives of these families who are unfortunate, due to health and financial problems. We are maybe not the largest city in Scotland, but we are the greatest. I have never felt so humble to so many good people who helped all our families during a Christmas of no hope. — Charlie Kean.

I find it absolutely incredible that two local councillors, by supporting the downgrading, are disregarding the views of the local people who voted them into office.

They wouldn’t be on the Fire Board if it were not for these very people.

John Whyte states, “This will provide a better service to Forfar at night.”

I dispute that. The appliance that will be removed will not be at Forfar during the night.

Forfar will have exactly the same cover as now — two retained appliances.

Also, “This is not a reduction of the service.” He could have fooled me.

Christina Roberts states this will improve community and firefighter safety.

So, removing a fire engine and five firefighters from the Dundee area at night will make us all safer? I think not.

Finally, she states that “the best way to save lives is early detection.”

A smoke detector will alert you to a fire, but it won’t rescue you if you are trapped.

A fire engine and firefighters turning up as quickly as possible will, and indeed do, on a daily basis all over Scotland. — Very Worried.

She is opposed to the downgrading. I argue no fire stations, police stations, A&E wards or schools should face closure or cuts if it is at all possible.

Therefore, maybe she can clarify, for her prospective electorate, whether she agrees that £100s of billions should be spent on nuclear weapons and illegal wars, whilst Westminster cuts Scotland’s budget by £500 million? — The Watchman.

If he did, many wouldn’t vote, partly because they are turned off by the hectoring and hot air of our political leaders, but mainly because they would find it impossible to leave their homes because of the treacherous conditions underfoot.

Several weeks have passed since wintry conditions plunged Scotland into chaos.

Yet until prompted by opposition leaders at Holyrood, the SNP government’s website was limited to information on feeding birds and other trivia.

Where were the television/radio broadcasts or newspaper adverts advising people, especially the elderly and vulnerable?

A hotline number should have been set up immediately to offer advice.

If Mr Salmond was as quick with getting the country into a state of readiness in an emergency as he is with media soundbites, everything would be hunky-dory. — Politico.

The Tele photograph of two elderly ladies at a complex struggling on zimmers to “visit” a neighbour was ludicrous.

Surely they could wait for the snow to clear before doing this? After all, in a complex they have company and are not on their own.

I suggest people can be more cautious in how and when they decide to go out. — Astonished Onlooker.

However I am very frustrated that the gritter went so far up Brackens Road, but failed to go to the top.

So why should I do the council’s job?

Will we get a reduction in our Council Tax?

The gritters are doing a great job, but a lot of the accidents are happening on the side roads, which have not been touched. — Slipper House Owner.

We have been slipping and falling just to get into town, because there have been no pavement gritters at all.

When will the authorities realise the Cowgate is part of the City Centre? — Fallen Woman.