Latest news with #EconomyandInfrastructureCommittee
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Feedback on visitor levy proposal could help shape Perth and Kinross' tourism policy
In 2023 tourism generated £641 million for the Perth and Kinross economy A Strathearn ward councillor believes feedback on whether or not to introduce a visitor levy should help determine a future tourism policy for Perth and Kinross. Latest figures show that in 2023, 2.3 million people visited the picturesque county, generating £641 million for the local economy and supporting around 8,200 full-time jobs. On Wednesday, May 28 the council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee met to consider a "bold and ambitious" Perth and Kinross Tourism Strategy and Action Plan 2025-2030. The five-year strategy focuses on four key areas: destination marketing to attract visitors from all over the world to Perth and Kinross; investment and infrastructure; market development and internationalisation, and industry growth and resilience. Endorsing the latest draft of the plan, the committee's convener Eric Drysdale said: "It sets out a bold and ambitious vision for the future of tourism in Perth and Kinross." Pointing to the strategy's four key aims, Cllr Drysdale said: "Together these priorities aim to increase our visitor numbers, attract inward investment and support our local businesses to grow, create jobs and thrive." As part of the strategy, Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) is considering introducing a visitor levy, alongside other potential sources of investment. In February 2025, PKC's Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed for the local authority to begin seeking the views of local businesses and residents on the possible introduction of a tourist tax. The feedback gathered will be put in a report which will go before councillors in December 2025. Elected members will then be asked to vote on whether or not to proceed with introducing the scheme. At Wednesday's meeting, Strathearn ward SNP councillor Stewart Donaldson said: "There's going to be very extensive engagement on that front before the report comes to council in December. "And then consultation, and then after that quite a lengthy implementation period. And whatever some people's views might be, I think that very exercise in itself might be helpful to us in determining a future tourism policy for Perth and Kinross." The strategy was developed by Perthshire Tourism Partnership which was established in 2005. The partnership brings together businesses, local tourism associations, groups and public sector organisations including Perth and Kinross Council from across the area. However, at Wednesday's meeting, Cllr Donaldson highlighted a "dearth" of input from West Perthshire (Strathallan and Strathearn wards), which houses two of Perth and Kinross' largest hotels - Gleneagles and Crieff Hydro. Economic Development Officer Suzanne Cumiskey - who wrote the report on the strategy - said it was a "valid point" and acknowledged there were "gaps" due to some local tourist associations, including Crieff's, having disbanded. She added: "Where there is a gap, we do have industry reps for the area and we have tried to speak to individual businesses or collectives. We're conscious there is a gap there at the moment, one that we're hoping to close." In a statement issued by Perth and Kinross Council, Perthshire Tourism Partnership chairman David Smythe said: "I thank Perthshire Tourism Partnership members and the tourism industry leaders who all contributed to shaping the new Tourism Strategy, which sets a clear path forward for this economically vital sector in Perth and Kinross. "Getting the tourism balance right through sustainable growth and focusing on the key themes is important to help keep our communities vibrant as they embrace the opportunities visitors bring to our lovely part of Scotland."
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Derelict school to be transformed into affordable housing
The renovation will provide affordable housing while also supporting the local community, businesses and minimises the carbon footprint both during construction and in use. Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: 'This is exactly the type of project the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme should be supporting. The renovation of this derelict school and school house will create 5 or 6 fuel efficient user-friendly housing unit, in an area where affordable housing is very limited.' READ MORE: The Council will the administer the funding and the project will be delivered by the Communities Housing Trust Communities Housing Scotland (CHT) working with The Glendale Trust. The project will be a case study to demonstrate how derelict buildings can be refurbished cost effectively, provide significant benefits to the community and much needed housing. While undertaking the renovation, under existing building regulations, each stage will be analysed to determine improvements that could make renovations a more attractive and cost-effective option. Councillor Gowans added: 'Improvements identified could include changes to regulations and planning status, project efficiencies, energy management, waste management and reduction in environmental impact. 'I wish everyone involved all the very best as they move forward with this exciting transformation project.'
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Perth and Kinross Council votes to start process to create Scotland's third short-term let control area
The move was rejected by PKC's Economy and Infrastructure Committee last August but on Wednesday all councillors were asked to vote on the proposal After previously rejecting the move, Perth and Kinross councillors have voted to begin the process of creating Scotland's third short-term let control area. In August 2024 Perth and Kinross Council's (PKC) Economy and Infrastructure Committee voted against introducing a planning control area for Highland and North Eastern Perthshire. But on Wednesday, May 7 the proposal was once again recommended for approval and was this time put before all elected members for consideration, rather than just those on the relevant committee. Previously it was rejected by a single vote. This time - with all councillors able to vote (except Provost McDade who declared a financial interest and Cllr Frank Smith who was absent) - it was voted through by 24 votes to 14. One Labour, four Liberal Democrat, two Independent and all 17 SNP councillors voted to start the process of creating a short-term let (STL) control area in Highland Perthshire and North Eastern Perthshire. Twelve Conservative councillors, Liberal Democrat councillor Willie Robertson and Independent (former Conservative) councillor Colin Stewart voted against it. Last year Liberal Democrat councillor Claire McLaren voted against the proposal. On Wednesday, the Strathtay ward councillor voted in support of the proposal. At Wednesday's meeting, Conservative councillor Angus Forbes asked why councillors were being asked again to vote on the proposal. Depute provost Andrew Parrott said: "My understanding is we are perfectly entitled to bring the matter - after a six-month period - so that is what we are doing and it is perfectly proper to bring it to full council so that is what we are doing." Cllr Forbes questioned if it was "because the political arithmetic is better for the administration at this meeting". SNP council leader Grant Laing suggested a precedent was set when councillors were asked to vote again on the controversial Central Production Unit (CPU) for school meals. PKC initially rejected the recommendation for its nursery and primary school main meals to be provided on a cook fresh/freeze basis by Tay Cuisine at its CPU in Dundee, which opened in 2020. But - after the Scottish Government pledged in May 2021 to deliver free school meals to all Scotland's primary pupils - Perth and Kinross councillors were asked to vote again on the issue in June 2021 and approved it by 21 votes to 16. Cllr Laing said: "So there is a precedent to bringing something back. "I think it's such an important thing, the whole council should do it rather a committee. I think that everybody who lives and has voted in that area should have the chance to show where their allegiance lies or what they think is the best way forward." Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers chief executive Fiona Campbell urged Perth and Kinross councillors to reject the proposal. She said: "Across Perth and Kinross, only 1.7 per cent of properties are STLs, compared to 3.5 per cent sitting empty. "In Dunkeld and Birnam, council data wrongly claimed 15 per cent STL saturation — when actual self-catering units (SCUs) account for just 5.7 per cent. That's a fundamental misrepresentation. It is critical to differentiate between SCUs and second homes - second homes generate no economic benefit. You're being asked to legislate on flawed figures. She added: "STLs are not the cause of housing scarcity — but they are being treated as such. This narrative ignores larger structural issues: a lack of new supply, demographic shifts, and poor delivery of affordable homes. "The economic cost would be severe. Independent analysis from BiGGAR Economics shows STLs in Perth and Kinross generate over £51 million in local economic value, and support nearly 1,800 jobs. On average, each STL contributes more than three times the economic output of a private home." She added: "The Highland Council introduced a PCA in March 2024 — triggering over 200 applications, overwhelming their planning system, and creating confusion and huge expense to the sector. One year on, there is zero evidence that it has delivered a single additional home." The entire City of Edinburgh council area and Highland Council's Badenoch and Strathspey ward are Scotland's only two short-term let control areas. Moving it for approval, SNP council leader Grant Laing said: "It will introduce stronger and clearer planning controls to manage the number of new short-term lets across these areas. "The introduction of a short-term let control area will require all residential property owners to apply for planning permission for change of use from a residential property to a short-term let. "The introduction of an STL control area will have no new impact on many other property owners as they already have to apply for a change of use. It will also not impact existing STLs. Irrespective of the STL control area, the requirement for a licence remains." Seconding the move, deputy SNP leader Eric Drysdale stressed: "We are only talking about seeking to better manage new short-term lets, not to close down any existing STL businesses." Tabling an amendment to reject the proposal, Highland Perthshire Conservative councillor John Duff said: "This same proposal came before the Economy and Infrastructure Committee in August 2024 and was quite rightly rejected then. Nothing has changed in these last nine months to alter that position, and we should reject the proposal again today." The Conservative group leader said it would further hit the tourism and retail sector which had still not recovered from COVID. Cllr Duff added: "It's not that long ago that we, in this chamber, approved a bid to make this exact same area the Tay Forest National Park; remember that? National Park status would have significantly increased tourism for Highland Perthshire. And yet now, the administration is bringing forward a short-term let control area. Quite frankly, you couldn't make it up!" Councillors voted by 24 votes to 14 to proceed with the notice of a proposal for the designation of an STL control area for Highland Perthshire and northern part of the Eastern housing market areas.
