The man helping to shape an ambitious vision of Perth’s future has appealed to those decrying the city’s current woes to become “part of the solution”.
John Bullough, chair of Perth City Development Board, has spoken out after the council approved £500million of expenditure in infrastructure, education, business, leisure and culture, in the largest capital budget in its long history.
With the bid to bring the Stone of Destiny back to Perthshire to be housed in a revitalised city hall, Mr Bullough said now was the time for council critics to get involved and have their say.
“Perth’s city plan is starting to come to life and now that funding for many of these projects have been approved, things will start to move very quickly,” he said.
“This is our city and I would urge as many people as possible to get involved in the city plan’s development and delivery. There are too many incredibly talented and passionate people in Perth wasting their valuable time and energy complaining, rather than getting involved in the process to make their potentially great ideas a reality.
“There are too many people who are willing to devote hours of their time moaning to anyone that will listen about what the council is doing wrong and how they have the solution to all Perth’s problems, but far too few people who are willing to turn up to a chamber or city centre meeting to present and discuss their ideas.
“The public sector is a rare and temperamental beast and my time on the development board has taught me, if you really want to make a change then the only way to influence this is by being part of the solution.
“If we all work together, there is so much more that we can achieve. I would urge every business owner and manager to become a part of the process by bringing their skills and ideas to the table – join our Chamber of Commerce (vicki@perthshirechamber.co.uk), join the Perth City Centre Connect Group (Leighbrown@pkc.gov.uk) or apply to join the Perth City Development Board or one of its sub-committees (j@bulloughs.com).
“These are the recognised forums from which suggestions can be made and concerns can be officially addressed.”
Mr Bullough said the priorities of the city plan are business growth, developing Perth College UHI and bringing accommodation and student activity into the city centre, improving the city centre including parking and events, and stimulating the visitor economy through new cultural attractions and investigating the potential for a new conference and convention hotel.
