By Eric Nicolson

THE BID to reclaim Perth’s city status will be taken to the corridors of power in Westminster next month.

On December 7 local MP Pete Wishart will host a dinner for influential invited guests who, it is felt, can help promote the campaign, which will coincide with the launch of the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter to Perth.

It is estimated the event will cost Perth and Kinross Council more than £1000, with the cost met from the revenue budget. The provost’s sub- committee unanimously agreed to the funding at a meeting yesterday.

In January, Provost John Hulbert hosted a meeting of interested parties to map out the direction of the city status campaign. At that meeting, reference was made to a dinner hosted in London last year by Mr Wishart in support of Perth College.

It was noted that the event had been successful in a number of respects, including raising awareness of the college and its ambitions.

In light of its success, and to assist the city status bid, Mr Wishart has offered to host with the provost a dinner in the Commons dining room.

The guest list has still to be finalised but those to be invited will include prominent people with a connection to Perth who have already declared their support for the campaign, as well as a number of MPs and MSPs, peers of the realm and those working in the media.

The depute provost, the council chief executive, depute chief executive and a council officer are all to attend the dinner as well.

The House of Commons dining room can hold 15 to 35 people and the cost of the event will depend on the final numbers. Based on a cost of £32 per head and on 35 people attending, the estimated cost of the dinner itself is £1120 plus drinks.

On top of this the council taxpayer will be footing the bill for flights, transfers and overnight accommodation in London for the council party.

Provost Hulbert said, “Without Pete we would undoubtedly be paying more for the meal and for the venue, which we’re not paying for.

“Dorothy Fenwick (a communications specialist) said we should try to influence decision-making people in London directly and indirectly.

“To use a phrase Dorothy used, it will help to ‘increase the chatter’ in the corridors of power about Perth and its city status.

“Baroness Linklater has been recruited and she is working on our behalf in London. She has met Michael Wills MP, Minister of State for the Ministry of Justice. The vibes coming from him are quite encouraging and we want to build on that.”

Depute leader of the council, Councillor George Hayton, commented, “I would like to thank you for the hard work and effort that you have put in.

“Even people who aren’t able to attend the dinner will start to think about our city status bid.

“This dinner increases the visibility of Perth and its claim for city status. We’re all backing the campaign and look forward to a successful and productive event in London.”