Appendix 1 - PK Economic Action Plan Progress Update
Perth and Kinross Council · 26 August 2026
Back to Economy and Infrastructure Committee — 26 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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GCPO Action What we're aiming for KPI Action Target/Milestones Timeline Lead Partner Other Partners Costs and funding sources RAG Links EG, TC, JTNZ, CG Develop the first phase of Perth Eco-Innovation Park as a strategic site for energy and mobility transition Grow the supply chain, support innovation and create a range of jobs and career opportunities in the clean growth sector. Number of jobs created, Hectares of employment land created Phase 1 enabling infrastructure developed Opportunities promoted May-29 PKC Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International £33m - PKC has already committed upto £3m to support design phase – existing budgets and external funding Feb Paper update Pre-construction works underway. Planning and Development work requiring agreements with landowners over Q3-4 2026 to enable the next phase of the project Feb 2026 update paper EG, TC, JTNZ, CG Develop Binn Eco-Park as a strategic site to support circular economy business opportunities Grow the supply chain, support innovation and create a range of jobs and career opportunities in the clean growth sector. Number of jobs created Master plan agreed Opportunities promoted June 25 Sept 25 (start) Binn Group PKC, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International £20K - Existing budgets and external funding. £20K annually- Existing budgets and external funding Masterplan developed and been revised. Two circular economy projects in pipeline coming through Clean Growth Axis. A plastic waste remediation through fungus facility and an insect protein farm. Discussions early stage but have the potential to greatly improve Binn’s offering as a circular economy centre EG, TC, JTNZ, CG Position and market Perth and Kinross as a leader in energy and mobility transition and the circular economy Grow the supply chain, support innovation and create a range of jobs and career opportunities in the clean growth sector. Number of registered businesses in energy sector Level of investment attracted. Economic Development marketing and communication Plan incl. Invest in Perth website in place May-25 PKC Scottish Enterprise/ Scottish Development International £20K annually - Existing budgets and external funding The launch of the Clean Growth Axis (CGA)positions PKC as a leader in the transition towards a circular economy. The CGA provides a project development support platform that fosters the development of circular economy projects through coordination of support from across the public sector, academia, and industry bodies. An upcoming project to be taken through the CGA is the Kinross biochar plant. Currently in early stages of project development but this innovative project has the potential to demonstrate the synergies of energy production utilising sustainable circular materials as both an energy and circular economy project https://ww w.investin perth.co.u k/the- clean- growth- axis-perth- and- kinross EG, TC, JTNZ, CG Develop a programme of investable energy transition projects with the private sector Grow the supply chain, support innovation and create a range of jobs and career opportunities in the clean growth sector. Private sector investment leverage. Number of jobs created Strategic Energy Partnership in place Agreed programme Sept 25 Dec 25 PKC Private partners £100K - Existing budgets and external funding TBC – Public and private funding Work on the Strategic Energy Partnership is developing investable shortlist bundles of key energy projects across Perth and Kinross. More scoping development work and consultancy support is needed but work is progressing and promises to present a series of commercially attractive energy transition propositions EG, TC, JTNZ, ToC Develop the Perth City Centre Development and Design Framework to create a series of investable projects for street scape enhancements, property improvements and new developments which can be taken forward and delivered. Develop and deliver projects to regenerate areas in and around the City Centre which enhance the overall design and economic performance of Perth. Number of projects delivered. Public and private sector funding secured. Approved Perth City Centre Development and Design Network. May 25 (Adoption of Framework) PKC Property owners and other public and private sector partners. Staff time – Existing budgets and external funding Complete - the framework has moved into action and delivery phase. Perth-City- Centre- Developm ent-and- Design- Framewor k.pdf EG, TC, JTNZ, ToC Prepare for consultation with residents, businesses and tourism organisations on a local visitor levy. Increased levels of finance to re-invest in projects and activities which enhance the tourism offering in Perth & Kinross. Number of visitors. Direct expenditure. Total employment within the tourism sector. Consultation decision made March 25 (initial scoping paper. PKC Visit Scotland Residents. Tourism organisations Staff time – Existing budgets and external funding Complete - early engagement commenced summer 25 and completed by end of the year. Formal Engagement will commence August 26 EG, TC, JTNZ, ToC Options appraisal and implementation of recommended approach to deliver strategic and co- ordinated tourism destination marketing activity. Drive up visitation and spend from identified audiences, and establish a joint public-private approach to tourism destination marketing activity. Number of visitors. Direct expenditure. Total employment within the tourism sector. Perth and Kinross Tourism Action Plan. Options appraisal and recommended approach for destination marketing action plan. June 25 June 25 PKC VisitScotland. Businesses operating within the tourism sector. Staff time – Existing budgets and external funding Review and relaunch of PerthCityandTowns.co.uk website and Continued close working with VisitScotland on destination marketing activity. Home - Perth City and Towns These actions relate to our Grand Challenges: ‘Economic Growth’(EG), ‘Technological Change’(TC), ‘Just Transition to Net- Zero’ (JTNZ) and the Prospectus for Regional Growth Priority Opportunities: ‘Clean Growth for Smarter and Sustainable Places’ (CG), ‘Tourism and Culture’ (ToC) and ‘Digital’(D). Perth & Kinross Economic Action Plan - Progress 2025-2026
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EG, TC, JTNZ, ToC Deliver the actions set out in the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan. This includes investment in inclusive and accessible infrastructure, waste disposal network on A9, walking and cycling trails, and cycle infrastructure. Improve Perth and Kinross visitor infrastructure to enhance the visitor experience and ensure any developments take into account the requirements of local residents and communities. Number of visitors. Direct expenditure. Total employment within the tourism sector. Assess delivery against timescales set out in the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Plan. Jun-25 PKC Visit Scotland. Businesses operating within the tourism sector. Staff time – Existing budgets and external funding TBC (Plan)- Existing budgets and external funding "Good progress made in delivery of plan since its publication in 2023. Intention to refresh plan in 2026/27. Some examples are: Tay: River Tay Way Hub, Aberfeldy / Grandtully Visitor Management Facilities, South: Loch Leven Heritage Trail, Rural Ranger Service - Travel Trade Training – Supporting businesses to maximise opportunities through specialist one to many webinars, masterclasses and one-to-one mentoring with White Stag Tourism to ensure businesses are trade Ready. • Inclusive Tourism – A four-part programme which was focused on helping tourism businesses communicate their accessibility through AccessGuides. The Access Guides were then all hosted on Access Able • Industry Networking & Knowledge Sharing – Events such as Perthshire Talks Tourism: Foodie Edition and Tourism- Strategy- and- Action- Plan-2025- 2030- updated.p df EG, TC, JTNZ, ToC Develop and deliver sector specific business support programmes and accelerators for the tourism sector. Support the growth of businesses in the tourism sector including agri-tourism. Total employment in the tourism sector. Tourism specific business support programme developed. Mar-25 PKC Business Gateway GrowBiz Visit Scotland. £40K annually - Existing budgets and external funding Accelerator Programmes delivered in Nov/Dec 25 and Jan/Feb 26. EG, TC, JTNZ, D Develop and deliver sector specific business support programmes and accelerators for the creative industries and digital sector. Increase the number of start-ups and the growth of existing businesses in the creative industries and digital sector. Number of businesses operating in the creative industries and digital sector. Number of businesses reporting growth in the creative industries and digital sector. Total employment in the creative industries and digital sector. Creative industries and digital specific business support programme developed. Mar-25 PKC Business Gateway GrowBiz WASPS. CodeBase. £40K annually - Existing budgets and external funding Accelerator Programmes delivered in Nov/Dec 25 and Jan/Feb 26 GCPO Action What we're aiming for KPI Action Target/Milestones Timeline Lead Partner Other Partners Costs and funding sources RAG TI Work with employers to encourage the adoption of inclusive employment & fair work practices including caring responsibilities Increase the average earnings of people working in Perth and Kinross and reduce the number of households experiencing or at risk of poverty Number of employers adopting fair work practices Business Champions Group created Promotion Campaign Launched Dec 25 March 26 Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, PKC £10K – existing budgets £40K – existing budgets and external funding TBC - Action to be reviewed and amended in September 26 TI, ST Provide business and skills support to start-ups, and grow childcare provision which meets the needs of parents/carers Help parents/carers and economically inactive people to enter or re-enter employment Number. of places created Bespoke provision in place Jun-25 PK Business Partnership PKC (Education) £60K annually - Existing budgets and external funding TBC - Action to be reviewed and amended in September 26 TI, ST Provide business and skills support to start-ups, and grow healthcare provision which meets the needs of our rural communities Help carers and economically inactive people in rural communities to re-enter and enter employment Number of businesses supported Bespoke provision in place Jun-25 Business Gateway, GrowBiz PKC, £60K annually - Existing budgets and external funding TBC - Action to be reviewed and amended in September 26 TI Expand the Future for Families Programme – an integrated approach to tackling child poverty through a combination of actions to support priority parents Help carers and economically inactive people to re-enter and enter employment and reduce the number of households experiencing or at risk of poverty Number of families supported with positive outcomes New activities programme in place Jun-25 Business Gateway, GrowBiz (this should be Local Employability Partnership, BG and GB have no involvement in delivery) PKC, Skills and Employment Support £100K annually - Existing budgets and external funding Programme in place. Exceeding forcast engagement and outcome targets TI, ST Develop a new and comprehensive programme of Sector Skills Academies focussing on local sectors where we know businesses are struggling to recruit – focus likely to be on rural skills; transport and logistics; health & care including. childcare; hospitality & construction. Help carers and economically inactive people to re-enter and enter employment and reduce the number of households experiencing or at risk of poverty Number of individuals successfully completing Academies Programme developed Jun-25 Local Employability Partnership PKC Skills and Employment Support £100K annually – Existing budgets and external funding Sector based academeies being delivered in Health and Social care, Construction, Active Leisure, Rural Skills and Hospitality These actions relate to our Grand Challenges: ‘Tackling Inequalities’(TI) and the Prospectus for Regional Growth Priority Opportunities: ‘Skills and Talent’(ST).
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Action What we're aiming for KPI Action Target/Milestones Timeline Lead Partner Costs and funding sources RAG Identify existing and scan future available financial resources and agree a process to allocate available financial resources Efficient sharing of financial resources The amount of financial resources shared among partners and the impact on cost savings or project success. Funding sources mapped out Process in place May 25 May 25 Partnership Staff time - Existing budgets and external funding UK Share Prosperity Fund process and Programme in place, funding allocated and delivery. Further work needed for other sources of funding. Identify existing and future Partnership’s members capacity and expertise, agree Partnership’s members’ leading and supporting roles for each action and implement co- training programme Efficient sharing of staff resources The number of staff shared/funded among partners and the impact on cost savings or project success. Staff capacity mapped out and roles identified Co-training programme developed May 25 Sept 25 Partnership Staff time - Existing budgets and external funding £10K annually - Existing budgets and external funding Not started Develop and agree robust communication channels including a joint and shared marketing plan Clear joint narrative and communication Joint and shared marketing plan agreed Communication Plan agreed Marketing Plan agreed May 25 Sept 25 Partnership Staff time - Existing budgets and external funding £20K annually - Existing budgets and external funding Completed and being implemented Identify and agree incentives to sustain customers’ engagement High level of engagement from businesses and people Benefits experienced by businesses and people. Incentives in place Sept 25 Partnership £20K annually - Existing budgets and external funding Business Champions initiative in place - Creation of 3 Business Champions to support visibility, credibility and engagement of the Perth and Kinross Economic Partnership Contribute to set up a Regional Intelligence Hub Evidence our economic performance, place and sectoral opportunities to support our evidence- based approach Regional Intelligence Hub set up and running Regional Hub terms agreed Sept 25 Partnership £10K annually - Existing budgets and external funding Joint Data working group established with Local Employability Partnership Develop a strong and quality Partnership Efficient partnership working Participation rates in meetings, events, and joint activities. 1st Annual Review March 26 Partnership Staff time - Existing budgets and external funding Partnership established and working with good level of participation and satisfaction To further build on existing local and regional actions, the Partnership is also proposing to deliver the following actions: