A bold half-billion pound vision for the future of Perth has won universal backing from cross-party councillors.
The ambitious seven-year masterplan which will see huge investment in schools, roads, jobs and leisure went unchallenged on Wednesday as Perth and Kinross Council set its latest capital budget.
The scheme involves a £128 million upgrade of school estates including three brand new primary buildings.
An £18 million leisure and recreation centre – complete with 25m pool – will be built to replace ageing facilities at Blairgowrie and a further £3million will be spent on a “well-being hub” at Letham.
It was further announced that £20 million will go into flood defence schemes at Comrie, Milnathort, Kinross and Scone as well as “urgently needed” roads improvements including a long-awaited upgrade of the A977.
Councillors also welcomed a £2.5 million transformation of Perth’s old St John’s Primary into a “creative exchange” to support new cultural and digital businesses.
The budget also includes a £500 million extension of many of the region’s cemeteries over the next five years.
Council leader Ian Miller, who proposed the £500m budget plan, said: “Our track record of investing in our future has, I think, been outstanding and this council should be rightly proud of all that it has achieved.
“However, now is not the time to be complacent.”
He said: “This is a budget for jobs, the economy and the future of our young people and communities. The budget also recognises that we live in a time of extraordinary change – change that’s reshaping the way we live. This change is also influencing our place in the region and our country.”
Conservative councillor Ann Cowan added to the motion, calling for extra pressure to be put on the Scottish Government to pay its share of a £40 million upgrade of the A9/A85 junction.
“Both these roads are trunk roads and therefore should be the responsibility of the Scottish Government,” she said. “This is one burden we should not have to shoulder on our own.”
City centre councillor Mac Roberts, leader of the local Conservative group, raised concerns that the council would be borrowing millions to achieve its vision, while also relying on substantial contributions from private developers. “Isn’t this a bit optimistic?” he said. “It’s a tough world out there and there are plenty sharks. We have to watch out that we don’t get bitten.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Peter Barrett raised concerns about £827,000 of dredging works approved for Perth Harbour.
He said: “The people of Perth and Kinross will not take kindly to projects that turn out to be pie in the sky and over the next seven years we must be seen to be delivering.”
Councillor Archie MacLellan congratulated Mr Miller for working with other parties on the plan. “I particularly welcome the massive investment in Perth Grammar School,” he said. “This will come as a great delight to parents.”
