Latest news with #PerthandKinrossCouncil
The Courier
a day ago
- General
- The Courier
Find out your Perth and Kinross school's attendance rate as almost 1 in 3 children 'persistently absent'
With almost 1 in 3 schoolchildren 'persistently absent', improving attendance is a priority for Perth and Kinross schools. Absence has increased over the last decade and the number of children missing at least 10% of their school days has soared since Covid. In this analysis of Perth and Kinross schools' attendance, we detail the attendance rate of every primary and secondary school. You can find your local school in our table at the bottom of this article. We also look at the downward trend in attendance at Perth and Kinross primary and secondary schools, mirroring the picture nationwide. And we examine the escalation in recent years of persistent absence – pupils with less than 90% attendance. Finally we ask what is being done to tackle this issue. Overall, attendance has fallen at Perth and Kinross schools over the last decade. There was a slight improvement in primary schools last year. Attendance for the last full academic year – 2023/24 – was 86.7% at secondary schools and 93% in primary schools. The secondary schools with the poorest attendance are: Primary schools with the lowest attendance are: Absence includes sickness, family holidays, being on a part-time timetable, truancy and temporary exclusion. Since schools closed during Covid lockdowns, persistent absence has rocketed. That is where an individual pupil misses 10% or more of the school year, equivalent to at least 19 days or a day each fortnight. Attainment and achievement is affected when pupils' attendance falls below 90%, according to Education Scotland. Poor attendance is also linked with poorer peer relationships, poorer employment opportunities and emotional and behavioural difficulties. An investigation by Education Scotland in 2023 amid 'system-wide concern' found pupils living in poverty, with additional support needs or from Gypsy and traveller communities were more likely to miss school. In Perth and Kinross 31% of pupils were deemed persistently absent during 2023/24. We asked Perth and Kinross Council what is being done by its education service and schools to improve Perth and Kinross schools' attendance. Five of its secondary schools with lower attendance are taking part in an Education Scotland programme, it said. This involves focussed intervention with a small group of pupils and they are looking to enhance this next year. Recent work with those with very low attendance due to mental health has helped three young people return to school, five to attend for bespoke input and six to gain national qualifications. And a project working with 22 families of pupils with attendance between 60% and 70% has led to significant improvements for several. Guidance is given to schools on identifying pupils at risk of poorer outcomes because of low attendance and how to address this. A council spokesperson said: 'Improving school attendance and enhancing our education experience for all remain critical drivers in our improvement work moving ahead. 'We understand that some families may experience a range of challenges at different points in their lives. 'Staff in our schools and education and learning team work in close partnership with parents and carers to listen with empathy, understand individual circumstances and provide the right support to address any barriers that may affect school attendance. 'We aim to ensure that every child and young person can attend school regularly, helping them to achieve their full potential.
Daily Record
a day 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 Courier
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Courier
Controversial Perthshire national park bid back in play as rival plan scrapped
Hopes have been revived for a new national park in Highland Perthshire. Perth and Kinross Council's 'Tay Forest' project was mothballed last summer when Galloway was named the preferred location for Scotland's third national park. But the Galloway bid was scrapped this week following 'significant opposition'. And that's raised the prospect of the Perthshire national park proposal being resurrected. The council told The Courier it is following events at Holyrood. 'We are awaiting further information from the Scottish Government,' said a spokesman. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon was asked about the chances for a Perthshire national park when she announced the Galloway scheme had hit the buffers on Thursday. Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell said communities in Perthshire had shown 'majority public support' for the bid, despite an 'aggressive misinformation campaign'. And he asked: 'Will the government now re-engage with that bid for Scotland's third national park? 'Or has it simply given up on the idea altogether?' Ms Gougeon insisted the government was still minded to establish more national parks, providing it gets the process right. 'We reached the stage of introducing the proposal to designate Galloway as a national park only because it met all the criteria that had been established and consulted on,' she added. 'We are not looking to do that at the moment, but we remain open to doing so in the future.' The Perthshire national park bid was ruled out of the running by the Scottish Government last July. It would have stretched across almost 3,000 square kilometres of Perthshire, taking in the towns of Aberfeldy, Comrie, Crieff, Dunkeld and Pitlochry. The council held an eight-week consultation on the Tay Forest proposal and received around 350 responses to its survey. More than half of respondents (56.8%) agreed or strongly agreed with the idea. But critics said national park policies – such as beaver re-introduction – conflicted with the interests of local farmers and managers. The Tayside and Central Scotland Moorland Group branded the consultation response 'woeful' and mounted an angry protest outside the council's headquarters. Aberfeldy Community Council was supportive of the national park bid. Its chairman Victor Clements says the group will watch the next steps with interest. But he suggests there are other ways to invest in nature conservation without adding more layers of management. 'Instead of funding the administrative structures of a new national park, give the equivalent budget to Perth and Kinross Council, and let them fund nature conservation initiatives and a ranger service directly,' said Mr Clements. 'The council could also support farmers and landowners in doing the things they do want to do, as they have shown they can do in the past with the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme and other grant programmes.' The SNP signed up to a new national park as part of the power-sharing Bute House agreement with the Scottish Greens. It has since been scrapped too.
The Courier
4 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
Perth and Kinross Council expenses: What did your councillor claim last year?
Perth and Kinross councillors ran up a £32,000 expenses bill last year. Councillors can claim for travel and other costs connected to their official duties. The 2024-2025 total was shared between the 40 serving members, and two former councillors. The highest expenses total – £4,750.50 – went to Perth and Kinross Provost Xander McDade. The council's SNP deputy leader Eric Drysdale did not claim a penny. Nor did independent councillor Colin Stewart and Conservative Crawford Reid, one of the two who stepped down last year, sparking a by-election in September. There were no overseas trips, and no claims for accommodation or meals. And only one payment was made in connection with training and conferences – £475 for Liberal Democrat licensing board convener Peter Barrett. Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing's expenses amounted to £504.90 for the year. The SNP councillor says that mostly paid for travel to an event in London, where he was pitching for investment in Perth. And he puts his comparatively low claim down to public transport and advancing years. 'I'm in the office 95% of the time and I travel by bus,' Mr Laing told The Courier. 'I'm fortunate with the bus service where I stay. And I use my bus pass. I'm 63. 'It's not just that it's free,' he added. 'People will sit down and speak to you on the bus. You get a good sense of what's happening on the ground.' Provost Xander McDade attends a large number of events in his role as the civic head of Perth and Kinross. As an independent councillor in the Highland ward, he also has further to travel than other members. However, his £4,750.50 expenses compare favourably to his predecessor's. The oldest breakdown of councillors' expenses on the Perth and Kinross Council website is for 2018-19 when then provost Dennis Melloy totalled £18,951.50. Ten other councillors ran up expenses running into thousands of pounds last year. They include John Duff, another Highland ward councillor and leader of the opposition Tory group, whose expenses came to £3,264.60. The total bill for Perth and Kinross councillors' salaries and allowances amounted to £1,007,533.29 in 2024-25.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Carse of Gowrie path would be a lasting legacy of Errol local hero
Perth and Kinross Council has submitted a substantial bid to the Scottish Government to make Roger Humphry's vision a reality A Carse of Gowrie councillor believes it is "imperative" a Carse of Gowrie path is finished to honour the efforts of environmental activist Roger Humphry. Roger - who died suddenly but peacefully in April - worked "tirelessly" to create a shared use path for cyclists, walkers and other users between Errol and Grange. Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) has submitted a £100,000 bid to the Scottish Government for support in making Roger's wish a reality. A report on PKC's Active Travel Prioritisation Delivery Plan by Road Safety project officer Blair Watt details how the Traffic and Network team has submitted six bids to the Tier 2 Active Travel Infrastructure Fund 2025/26. And one of them is a £100,000 bid for a Stage 3-4 design bid for the Errol to Grange corridor. The proposed path already has significant funding and securing this bid would help progress the project. The report will go before PKC's Environment and Infrastructure Committee for consideration on Wednesday, May 28. Conservative councillor Angus Forbes would like to see the path completed "not just for Roger's sake but to create his vision for a more connected and active community". He believes the bid is a direct result of the "tireless" efforts of the Carse of Gowrie Path Group, and specifically the late Roger Humphry. Cllr Forbes said: "I am absolutely delighted that Perth and Kinross Council - subject to approval at committee this week - is moving forward with this bid for £100,000 to advance the Carse of Gowrie path. "This is fantastic news for our community and a testament to the incredible hard work and dedication of the Carse of Gowrie Group. Their commitment to improving active travel options for residents has been unwavering." He added: "It is poignant that we are now at a stage where we can push to continue this path, a project so close to Roger's heart. "Roger was an extraordinary individual who poured so much of his time and energy into making this path a reality for the Carse of Gowrie. It is imperative that we finish this path, not just for Roger's sake but to create his vision for a more connected and active community." The Carse of Gowrie Group - which Roger was part of - has been developing and improving paths across the Carse for years. Roger - who served as both co-convenor and vice-convenor of the Perth and Kinross branch of the Scottish Greens - was passionate about using more sustainable means of travel. Cllr Forbes added: "I am confident that this funding, if successful, will make a real difference to the lives of Carse of Gowrie residents. It will provide a safe and enjoyable route for people to get around and promote healthier lifestyles. Whilst this is a significant piece of funding, there is still more to find and we'll keep looking at every opportunity for additional funding."
