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Applause for Courier’s role in Perth city status campaign

Provost Dr John Hulbert, council chief executive Bernadette Malone and leader Councillor Ian Miller celebrating confirmation of city status in March.
Provost Dr John Hulbert, council chief executive Bernadette Malone and leader Councillor Ian Miller celebrating confirmation of city status in March.

THE COURIER has been praised for its part in restoring city status to Perth.

The hard-won award was granted by the Queen as part of her diamond jubilee celebrations.

As well as restoring prestige and pride to the Fair City, it brings significant economic benefits and a seat at Scotland’s top planning tables.

As the city’s foremost newspaper, The Courier recognised the importance of the council-led campaign and was behind it every step of the way.

We broke the story exclusively on March 14 that the campaign had been won.

Reflecting on a remarkable year, Perth and Kinross Council leader Ian Miller, said: “The Courier was a staunch supporter of our city status campaign from the very start.

“I would like to thank the newspaper for its backing, which added weight to our case for restoration.

“The support of the local media in campaigns such as this one is invaluable.”

He said the decision was his personal high point of 2012.

“This was the culmination of a year-long campaign by the council and it was a memorable moment when we heard we had been successful,” he explained.

“Tributes must be paid to the previous provost, Dr John Hulbert, who worked tirelessly to ensure the campaign had a positive outcome, as well as the Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, Mel Jameson, whose knowledge, assistance and support was also key.”

He said the task for 2013 will be cashing in on the success.

“The council recently completed a public consultation on how the Perth and Kinross public would like to see the city develop over the next few decades,” he went on.

“These views will help inform a new city development strategy, ensuring that we take full advantage of the economic, social and cultural benefits for the whole area that are associated with the prestigious city title.

“A report on the City development strategy will go before the council in the early part of 2013, allowing us to get to work on strengthening Perth’s claim as one of the most desirable places in Scotland to live, work, visit and invest in.

“Perth is already experiencing the benefits of being a city. We now sit on the Scottish Cities Alliance alongside Scotland’s six other cities, which gives us access to government funding that would not otherwise be available.

“In July, Historic Scotland announced a £650,000 grant to help protect Perth’s built heritage money that came as a direct result of gaining city status.

“We have also had a bid accepted for funding from the UK-wide Urban Broadband Fund, which will allow us to bring superfast broadband to Perth.

“We could not have applied for this money without city status.”

Civic minds are also increasingly turning to summer 2014, when the eyes of the sporting world will be firmly focused on Perthshire as the Ryder Cup is being played out at Gleneagles.

Mr Miller said: “The hosting of one of the world’s biggest sporting events will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to showcase Perth and Kinross nationally and internationally as a ‘must go’ location for tourists and a desirable venue for events. Hosting the Ryder Cup, and ensuring that we take all the opportunities it will bring, is a huge task and work is already well under way behind the scenes at the council.

“As well as being involved locally, I will also be part of a national CoSLA steering group for the event.”

Other notable events for next year will be the completion of the latest council housing development, in Blairgowrie, and the new Invergowrie Primary School.

arichardson@thecourier.co.uk