A new board that includes representatives from Perth and Kinross Council, St Johnstone FC, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and the Inveralmond Brewery has set out its vision for the city of Perth.
The board was formed after Perth achieved city status in March 2012. Viewed by Councillor Ian Miller, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, as an opportunity to “move forward,” it has various objectives, one being to oversee and steer the Perth City Plan.
Details of the board’s first meeting have only now been made public, with Bernadette Malone, chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council, telling fellow members they must “realise the vision” that Perth will be the “most desirable” place in Scotland in which to live, work, visit and invest.
She told board members: “The prediction of a 22% increase in population over the next 20 years will bring about significant challenges, but also significant opportunities.”
Ms Malone said the board, which includes Saints chairman Steve Brown and John Bullough, managing director of McEwens of Perth, needs to create the right conditions to encourage growth and that Perth is a key player in the Cities Alliance, which brings further opportunities.
“The local economy is faring better at present than anywhere else in Scotland,” she told the board.
“We have significant potential and city status has given us a springboard to realise that potential. Engagement with the Perth City Development Board will be key in terms of moving forward. We need to enhance the growth of Perth and the city-region economy.”
She also stressed the importance of the expected financial spin-off to Perth from the Ryder Cup, which Ms Malone claimed should generate around £25 million for the area.
Mr Bullough said the board would be overseeing the Perth City Plan at an “extremely exceptional” time. “For this reason, the board needs to be flexible,” he said. He told members that he had always been a believer in vibrant city centres, many of which had seen massive changes.
“The most successful city centres were those which realised that it was not all about retail but included cultural and social aspects, too,” he said.
Jim Valentine, Perth and Kinross Council’s executive director for environment, outlined forthcoming projects to the board. These include delivering super-fast broadband throughout Perth by 2015, the development of the Perth Food and Drink Park and building the Cross Tay Link Road.
In addition, he told members of the plan to redevelop Perth Theatre, which is currently taking place, and proposals to establish a Conference and Convention Bureau to “capitalise” on the growing business tourism market.
The board agreed to have a report prepared on the development of the River Tay, after members heard there had been interest received on this idea from various parties.
Board members were also given details of an initiative to support new investment in Perth, entitled Invest in Perth. It was stated that its website attracts 600 visitors per week, with 4,000 followers on Twitter.
The next meeting of the board will take place in March at McDiarmid Park, the home of St Johnstone.