Minute of Meeting of Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee of 1 October 2025 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
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HOUSING AND SOCIAL WELLBEING COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth, on 1 October 2025 at 9.30am. Present: Bailies C Ahern, R Brock, C McLaren and M Williamson, Councillors P Barrett, B Brawn, J Duff (substituting for A Forbes), K Harvey (substituting for J Welch), I MacPherson, C Mair, S McCole, T McEwan, F Smith and C Stewart. In Attendance: E Ritchie, Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities; S Merone, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning; N Sworowski, J Ross, C Hall, S McDonald, K Easton and P Jarratt (all Economy, Development and Planning), S Hendry, J Guild, A Brown and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance). Also in Attendance: Detective Inspector Graeme Templar, Local Area Commander G Burns (both Police Scotland); Area Commander B Todd, Station Commander J Fitzpatrick and Temporary Group Commander M Rumgay (all Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) (all up to Item 7), L Palmer and R Hammond-Baker (both Tenant’s Committee Report Panel) Apologies: Councillors A Forbes, I James and J Welch. Councillor T McEwan, Convener, Presiding. Councillor McEwan led on Items 1-7 with Councillor McCole leading on Items 8-9. 1. Welcome and Apologies Councillor T McEwan welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were noted as above. 2. Declarations of Interest In terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct Bailie M Williamson declared a non-financial interest in Item 8. 3. Minute of Previous Meeting The minute of the meeting of the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee of 11 June 2025 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Outstanding Business Statement The Outstanding Business Statement was noted, and it was agreed to remove the completed actions. 5. Police Scotland Thematic Update - Public Protection Unit DCI Graeme Templar provided a verbal update and answered Members’ questions thereon.
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Following the presentation, Area Commander Burns advised that the role of Area Commander will be taken over by Jamie Allan from 25 October 2025. The Convener and Committee thanked Chief Inspector Burns for his engagement with the Committee over the years. Resolved: The Police Scotland Thematic Update – Public Protection Unit, be noted. 6. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Thematic Update - Wildfire Strategy Update There was a brief Strategic Update delivered by Area Commander Todd Covering recent management changes including the replacement of Craig Wallace with Mike Rumgay as Group Commander for Perth and Kinross, development of local fire and rescue plans, relocation of command support vehicle and an updated position on the service delivery review. There followed a slide-based presentation delivered by Station Commander Joe Fitzpatrick and Members’ questions were answered thereon. Resolved: (i) The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Strategic Update, be noted. (ii) The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Thematic Update – Wildfire Strategy Update, be noted. (There followed a short recess, and the Committee reconvened at 11.50am) (Bailie C McLaren left the meeting at this point) 7. Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026/27 – 2030/31 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities and Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/244) (1) seeking approval of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026/27 – 2030/31 set out in Appendix 1, and (2) setting out the investment priorities for affordable housing over a 5-year period from 2026/27. L Palmer asked questions and provided comments on the Strategic Housing Investment Plan, on behalf of the Tenant’s Committee Report Panel. Resolved: (i) The content of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026/27 – 2030/31 (Appendix 1) and its submission to the Scottish Government, be approved. (ii) Ongoing development of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan, be approved and delegated authority be given to the Strategic Affordable Housing Board to ensure that where projects fall out of the plan, alternative projects are prioritised.
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8. Culture Strategy 2023-2028 Mid-Term Review There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/245) (1) providing an update on progress made to date on the delivery of the actions contained within the Culture Strategy 2023-2028 (Appendix 1); and (2) seeking Committee’s approval for the progression of the Strategy and actions for the next 3 years. In introducing the report, K Easton, Senior Economic Development Officer, delivered a slide-based presentation, outlining the background and progress of culture within Perth and Kinross. Resolved: (i) The progress of the actions to date, be noted. (ii) The revised action plan detailed in Appendix 2 including the 3 new actions driven by Perth’s designation as a UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art, be approved. (iii) The revised reporting structure, be approved. (iv) It be recommended that Strategic Lead (Economy, Development and Planning) brings back annual progress reports to this Committee. 9. Annual Assurance Statement 2024/2025 – Scottish Housing Regulator There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (25/246) providing a brief overview of the Framework and appending the Annual Assurance Statement 2024/25 for approval by Committee. Resolved: (i) The requirement to submit an Annual Assurance Statement, be noted. (ii) The Annual Assurance Statement as detailed in Appendix 2, be approved. ~~~~~~~~~