Minute of meeting of 19 November 2025
Perth and Kinross Council · 28 January 2026
Back to Economy and Infrastructure Committee — 28 January 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
DRAFT Economy and Infrastructure Committee Minute of hybrid meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 1.37pm. Present: Councillors E Drysdale, J Welch, H Anderson, L Barrett (substituting for Councillor A Watt), S Carr, D Cuthbert (substituting for Bailie R Brock), S Donaldson, J Duff, A Forbes, K Harvey, N Khogali, I Massie, W Robertson, F Smith and C Stewart. In Attendance: C Mailer, Depute Chief Executive, S Merone, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning; F Crofts, Strategic Lead – Environment and Infrastructure; S MacDonald, S Cumiskey and K Easton (all Economy, Development and Planning); C Daly and M Welch (up to and including Item 5) (both Environment and Infrastructure); A Taylor, S Hendry, A Brown and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance). Apologies: Bailie R Brock and Councillor A Watt. Councillor E Drysdale, Convener, Presiding. 1. Welcome and Apologies Convener welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were noted as above. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no Declarations of Interests in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. A1. Deputations In terms of Standing Order 13, the Committee agreed to hear deputations in relation to Item 5. 3. Minute of Meeting of Economy and Infrastructure Committee of 27 August 2025 The minute of the meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee of 27 August 2025 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Outstanding Business Statement Resolved: The status of actions in the Outstanding Business Statement (25/309) be noted and completed actions removed accordingly.
Page 2
DRAFT 5. Viewlands School Exclusion Zone There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Environment and Infrastructure (25/310) providing an update on the public consultation on a proposed amended Traffic Regulation Order for a reduced school exclusion zone area around Viewlands Primary School. Mr Gordon Mack, Mr Gordon McMillan and Mr James Whyte all attended the meeting, addressed the Committee, and answered Members’ questions. Resolved: This item of business be deferred to the next meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to be held on 28 January 2026. 6. Perth and Kinross Place Branding There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Environment and Infrastructure (25/311) seeking (1) endorsement for the refreshed Perth and Kinross place branding and (2) approval for the proposed governance, implementation and engagement arrangements to support the long-term embedding of the brand across the Council, our partners and Perth and Kinross area. Motion (Councillors E Drysdale and J Welch) To accept the recommendations as set out in the report. Amendment (Councillors W Robertson and H Anderson) Defer this item to the next meeting of the Committee in January to get more details regarding the funding involved, the measurable outcomes and the private sector involvement. (There Followed a Brief Recess and the Meeting Reconvened at 3.10pm). The mover and seconder of the Amendment agreed to withdraw their Amendment at this point following the Convener giving assurance to the Committee that further and more detailed information would be provided in due course. Resolved: (i) The refreshed Perth and Kinross place branding as set out in Report 25/311 and accompanying presentation, be endorsed. (ii) The recommendations as set out in the proposals at Item 4 of Report 25/311, be approved. (iii) Further and more detailed information be provided to Committee in due course. 7. Visitor Levy Scheme – Early Engagement and Future Timescales There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/312) providing an update on the early engagement phase
Page 3
DRAFT regarding a potential Visitor Levy Scheme for Perth and Kinross, and to highlight consideration of legislative changes that could affect the proposal and its timeline for consideration. Motion (Councillors E Drysdale and J Welch) To accept the recommendations and proposals as set out in the report. Amendment (Councillors A Forbes and J Duff) This committee thanks officers for their efforts on this matter, accepts that tourist businesses across Perth and Kinross have already been badly impacted by many factors including Covid, the Short Term Let licensing scheme, staffing costs and cost of living increases. Further accepts that tourism is a key economic driver for our area and accepts that we should not be putting any further barriers in their way and accepts the principal that we can't tax our way to prosperity. Therefore, the Committee rejects the need for the implementation of a Visitor Levy within Perth and Kinross. In terms of Standing Order 21 a roll call was taken. 9 Members voted for the Motion as follows: Councillors L Barrett, S Carr, D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, K Harvey, I Massie, W Robertson and J Welch. 6 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Councillors H Anderson, J Duff, A Forbes, N Khogali, F Smith and C Stewart. Resolved: In accordance with the Motion.