Latest news with #TayCitiesDeal
The Courier
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
UHI Perth principal revealed £1m debts in failed business just days before resignation
More than £1 million is owed by a Perth aviation firm which collapsed into administration last month. Air Service Training (Engineering) Limited was fully owned by UHI Perth. It trained thousands of pilots and aircraft engineers since it was established in 1931. In one of her last acts as principal and chief executive of UHI Perth, Dr Margaret Cook provided a 'statement of affairs' estimating the debts in the business. Dr Cook resigned with immediate effect from her post at UHI Perth last week. It followed the revelation that the institution is battling a £2m deficit. The statement of affairs is a document provided by a company director giving their estimation of assets and debts at the time of administration on April 10. The document was provided by Dr Cook on May 8, and has now been lodged at Companies House. She stepped down just six days later following calls for her to resign from the crisis-hit organisation. The document shows current and former employees are owed around £417,000 in wages, holiday pay and pension payments. More than £158,000 is owed to HMRC for VAT, national insurance, corporation tax and student loan repayments. Debts listed as 'consumers claiming amounts paid in advance' – students and business who had paid for training – is another £486,000. The total Air Service Training debts are estimated as £1,053,000. Assets within the business expected to raise around £250,000. Assets include a cash balance of £133,000, trade debtors, machinery and vehicles. Dr Cook resigned as a director in Air Service Training on May 13. Since its formation, Air Service Training has trained more than 190,000 engineers and pilots from approximately 150 countries. The business had 28 members of staff when it went into administration. Air Service Training was earmarked for £8m of Tay Cities Deal cash to create a national aviation academy. Administrator Shona Campbell, of Henderson Loggie, recently said a closing date had been set for the business after dozens of enquiries. However, no offer emerged. She said: 'Despite interest from 51 parties, no suitable offer was received for the purchase of the business as a whole. 'As a result, an online auction of Air Service Training (Engineering) Limited's physical assets is now live and will close at 11am on May 28. 'We remain committed to supporting students, ensuring they can complete their courses and receive certification for completed exams.'
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Pitlochry Festival Theatre ticket sales increase by 200 per cent after £21 million revamp, new offer and strategic direction
Perth and Kinross Council's People, Partnerships and Funding manager this week said the theatre was "reaping the rewards" Ticket sales for Pitlochry Festival Theatre are 200 per cent higher than they were this time last year. The Highland Perthshire theatre is said to be "reaping the rewards" of a £21.3 million transformation, a new offer and a new strategic direction. Perth and Kinross councillors were given an update on the impact of the investment and other local Tay Cities Region Deal projects at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, May 7. PKC's People, Partnerships and Funding manager Alison Seggie began the update by giving a presentation to councillors on Pitlochry Festival Theatre. She said: "Work started on developing this project way back in 2013 and I have been involved all along. "The total cost of the project is something like £21.3 million - £10 million of that from the Tay Cities Deal. Additional money came from the Dunard Fund, The Gannochy Trust and numerous individual donors. "Pitlochry Festival Theatre is proud to share the completion of its ambitious project marking a significant milestone in the theatre's development and its role as a major cultural destination in the Highlands." Councillors were told the theatre was "reaping the rewards of the investment". The £21 million revamp included a new-look entrance, a fully completed second performance space - The Studio, the newly expanded foyer, brand new toilets, a refurbished auditorium, as well as new glazing and a new roof to improve energy efficiency. Ms Seggie told elected members: "In the 2024/25 financial year, the theatre welcomed 82,237 visitors. And - notably - in the current advanced ticket sales for this year, they're already 200 per cent ahead of the same point in the previous season - a clear endorsement of the investment in the building, the refreshed offer and the theatre's strategic direction. "With the capital transformation now complete and a new chapter in the theatre's artistic leadership about to begin, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is confidently positioned to drive further cultural tourism and economic benefits for Perth and Kinross." Alan Cumming took over as the theatre's artistic director in January 2025. His first programmed season will begin in 2026. Other Perth and Kinross projects which have benefited from investment from the Tay Cities Region Deal include: £35 million on the International Barley Hub and £27m on the Advanced Plant Growth Centre at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie; £10 million towards Perth Museum; £2 million on rural high-speed broadband in Angus and Perth and Kinross, and £790,000 for the first phase of creating a Low Carbon Travel Hub at Broxden, Perth. Moving the report for approval, SNP council leader Grant Laing said: "This report provides an update on progress with the Tay Cities Region Deal. The Deal was approved in December 2020 and has now moved into its fifth year of implementation. "The Deal, and the projects and programmes within the Deal, represent the most significant investment in the economic development of our area in recent times. "Good progress is being made and key projects which will deliver significant economic benefits have already been delivered within Perth and Kinross and the wider Tay Cities region. "However, a significant number of projects remain to be fully developed, and gain business case approval. Several challenges to the delivery of the Deal and its projects have arisen over the first five-year funding period; including the impact of the COVID Pandemic, and inflationary pressures on some projects; these have led to delays in progressing business cases. "An approach to re-shaping the programme has been agreed by the Joint Committee recently, and officers will have to confirm whether projects are still deliverable in their original format, require some changes, or may have to be de-committed, and potentially new projects proposed and agreed. This will take place over a 12-month period with a new programme to be finalised by the summer of next year and agreed with partners, and both governments." Two of the Tay Cities Region Deal projects still to be fully developed include £8.1 million earmarked for an Aviation Academy at UHI Perth and £15 million towards the long-awaited Perth Bus/Rail Interchange.
The Herald Scotland
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Ticket sales for Scottish theatre '200 per cent higher' than last year
Perth and Kinross councillors were given an update on the impact of the investment and other local Tay Cities Region Deal projects at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, May 7. PKC's People, Partnerships and Funding manager Alison Seggie began the update by giving a presentation to councillors on Pitlochry Festival Theatre. She said: 'Work started on developing this project way back in 2013 and I have been involved all along. READ MORE: Alan Cumming says 'we don't cover the classics enough in Scottish theatres' Alan Cumming named as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre I've never been so glad to see the curtain fall on any play in my life 'The total cost of the project is something like £21.3 million – £10 million of that from the Tay Cities Deal. Additional money came from the Dunard Fund, The Gannochy Trust and numerous individual donors. 'Pitlochry Festival Theatre is proud to share the completion of its ambitious project marking a significant milestone in the theatre's development and its role as a major cultural destination in the Highlands.' Councillors were told the theatre was 'reaping the rewards of the investment'. The £21 million revamp included a new-look entrance, a fully completed second performance space – The Studio, the newly expanded foyer, brand new toilets, a refurbished auditorium, as well as new glazing and a new roof to improve energy efficiency. Ms Seggie told elected members: 'In the 2024/25 financial year, the theatre welcomed 82,237 visitors. And – notably – in the current advanced ticket sales for this year, they're already 200 per cent ahead of the same point in the previous season – a clear endorsement of the investment in the building, the refreshed offer and the theatre's strategic direction. 'With the capital transformation now complete and a new chapter in the theatre's artistic leadership about to begin, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is confidently positioned to drive further cultural tourism and economic benefits for Perth and Kinross.' Alan Cumming took over as the theatre's artistic director in January 2025 (Image: Pitlochry Festival Theatre) Alan Cumming took over as the theatre's artistic director in January 2025. His first programmed season will begin in 2026. Other Perth and Kinross projects which have benefited from investment from the Tay Cities Region Deal include: £35 million on the International Barley Hub and £27m on the Advanced Plant Growth Centre at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie; £10 million towards Perth Museum; £2 million on rural high-speed broadband in Angus and Perth and Kinross, and £790,000 for the first phase of creating a Low Carbon Travel Hub at Broxden, Perth. Moving the report for approval, SNP council leader Grant Laing said: 'This report provides an update on progress with the Tay Cities Region Deal. The Deal was approved in December 2020 and has now moved into its fifth year of implementation. 'The Deal, and the projects and programmes within the Deal, represent the most significant investment in the economic development of our area in recent times. 'Good progress is being made and key projects which will deliver significant economic benefits have already been delivered within Perth and Kinross and the wider Tay Cities region. 'However, a significant number of projects remain to be fully developed, and gain business case approval. Several challenges to the delivery of the Deal and its projects have arisen over the first five-year funding period; including the impact of the COVID Pandemic, and inflationary pressures on some projects; these have led to delays in progressing business cases. 'An approach to re-shaping the programme has been agreed by the Joint Committee recently, and officers will have to confirm whether projects are still deliverable in their original format, require some changes, or may have to be de-committed, and potentially new projects proposed and agreed. This will take place over a 12-month period with a new programme to be finalised by the summer of next year and agreed with partners, and both governments.' Two of the Tay Cities Region Deal projects still to be fully developed include £8.1 million earmarked for an Aviation Academy at UHI Perth and £15 million towards the long-awaited Perth Bus/Rail Interchange.
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Call for regional funding to help save Perth aviation courses
Tay Cities regional funding cash could be used to save Perth aviation training courses dropped when the Perth's Air Service Training (AST) went into administration earlier this month. First Minister and Perthshire North MSP John Swinney has written to the chair of the joint committee overseeing the Tay Cities Deal to explore the possibility of any unused funding being allocated to AST. Perthshire Conservative Murdo Fraser had suggested in a letter to Mr Swinney that £8.1m earmarked for a Perth College Aviation Academy for Scotland (AAS) plan could help to restore the cancelled courses. Following the administration announcement, Mr Swinney said he would work with all stakeholders in an attempt to find a way forward – and the Scottish Government said this week work is under way to identify longer-term options for existing students to complete qualifications with alternative course providers. AST, which employs 28 people, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UHI Perth. The college has provided funding to ensure the BSc in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management continues until the end of the academic year, but all other courses have ceased. AST was set up in 1931 and has since trained 190,000 engineers and pilots from around 150 countries. In a 2020 announcement, it had been due to receive investment from the £300m Tay Cities Deal, funded by the UK and Scottish governments, to establish a national aviation academy. Mr Fraser commented: 'Any prospective closure of AST would be deeply felt, depriving Scottish students of opportunities, worsening the local skills shortage crisis for firms within Scotland's aeronautical sector and decreasing international investment coming into Perth. 'Although AST's owners, the University of the Highlands and Islands, has intervened to keep the BSc course in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management running until its completion at the end of the academic year, all other courses have been immediately cut which will have profound consequences for the students and staff affected by these changes. 'In my letter to the First Minister, I told him that I am aware that £8m of the Tay Cities Deal had been reserved to create a national aviation academy and that I understand he has pledged to find a way forward on this issue. 'I have asked the First Minister if he is able to specify what actions the SNP government will be taking to support AST during this difficult period and confirm whether the Tay Cities Deal funding can be used to aid these efforts or restore the courses that had been suddenly cut.' Plans for a UHI Perth-led Aviation Academy for Scotland (AAS) envisaged 540 training places over the first four years of operation. The aim was to integrate regional, national and international education and training to provide a skilled workforce which can 'respond to the global growth of aviation'. Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite said following the administration announcement: 'This is a stark reminder of the fragility of even long-established institutions in the face of compounding financial pressures. 'We echo calls for all stakeholders to come together urgently to explore any viable routes to preserve the remaining course provision, protect jobs, and secure a future for aviation training in Perth. 'Perthshire has long held a strong place in the aerospace and engineering sectors, and it is vital that this expertise and infrastructure is not lost.' And Perth and Kinross-shire SNP MP Pete Wishart said: 'We simply cannot have this fantastic local asset going to waste or for Perth's reputation for flight training to be tarnished.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said this week: 'Air Service Training was a partner in a wider investment proposal for an Aviation Academy which secured £8.1m of funding from the UK Government as part of the Tay Cities Region Deal, but we will continue to work with regional partners and the UK Government to explore other viable delivery options. The funding will not be lost to the region. 'This will be a deeply concerning time for students and staff affected by the situation at Air Service Training. 'The Scottish Government's PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) service has contacted the company to offer redundancy support and affected employees have been made aware of the services available to them. 'It is welcome that UHI Perth has provided funding to ensure that current Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Management students can complete this academic year and that work is continuing with alternative providers to identify longer term options for existing students to complete their qualifications.' A spokesman from Mr Swinney's constituency office said: 'Mr Swinney is engaging with stakeholders to try and find a way forward on this vital issue. 'Along with Pete Wishart and Jim Fairlie, he has written both to management at UHI Perth as well as the chair of the joint committee overseeing the Tay Cities Deal to explore the possibility of any unused funding being allocated to AST. 'Should any constituents have specific concerns, Mr Swinney would encourage them to contact his office directly.'
The Courier
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Courier
First Minister demands answers over UHI Perth aviation collapse
First Minister John Swinney is demanding immediate answers from the head of UHI Perth over the collapse of its aviation engineering subsidiary. Air Service Training (Engineering) Limited (AST) is a wholly owned subsidiary of UHI Perth. It plunged into administration earlier this month, putting 28 jobs at risk. More than 190,000 students have qualified through its courses since it was founded in 1931. UHI Perth has provided enough money to ensure its BSc in aircraft maintenance engineering and management programme will continue until the end of the academic year. However, all other courses will end immediately. This has troubled Mr Swinney, who is the MSP for Perthshire North where the airport and college is located. He has now written to the institution demanding to know what safeguards are in place and whether there are any further 'financial difficulties' UHI Perth needs to make public. Most recent financial accounts for UHI Perth show it posted a deficit of £1.7 million to July 31 2024. In a joint letter, Mr Swinney, local SNP's MP Pete Wishart and fellow Perthshire MSP Jim Fairlie, 'seek urgent clarity' from Dr Cook on a number of unanswered issues, including: Mr Swinney said: 'AST is a world-class facility located in the heart of Perthshire. 'It has a rich history of providing specialised training and has a profoundly positive impact on the local economy. 'To that end, it is vital that all possible avenues to save AST are explored. 'Along with Pete Wishart and Jim Fairlie, I will continue to engage with all stakeholders and strongly advocate for a solution that secures the future of AST and safeguards the jobs and training opportunities that it provides within the local area.' The company has struggled financially since the pandemic, due to falling student numbers, reduced commercial contracts and rising costs. This combination of factors has put significant strain on its cash flow. AST was to receive up to £8m in funding from the Tay Cities Deal, in a partnership with Tayside Aviation. Tayside Aviation collapsed in 2023, and subsequently no business case has been submitted for the cash. UHI Perth and Dr Cook have been approached for comment.
