Minute of Meeting of Kinross-shire Committee of 18 September 2025 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 4 December 2025
Back to Kinross-shire Committee — 4 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
KINROSS-SHIRE COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Kinross-shire Committee held in Loch Leven Community Campus, Milnathort, on Thursday 18 September 2025 at 5.00pm. Present: Councillors D Cuthbert, R Watters and W Robertson, S Bruce-Jones (Fossoway Community Council); N Bingham (Milnathort and Orwell Community Council); B Freeman (Kinross Community Council). In Attendance: L Haxton, S Terras (Strategic Planning, People and Resources), K Evans, Gillian Liversedge, Frank Campbell (all Housing and Communities), D Grant, P Leonard, D McKeown, R Grant, W Mahoney (all Environment and Infrastructure); A Brown and M Pasternak (both Legal and Governance). Apologies: Councillor N Freshwater, Cleish & Blairadam Community Council, Portmoak Community Council Councillor D Cuthbert, Convener, Presiding. 1. Welcome and Apologies The Convener welcomed all present to the meeting. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no Declarations of Interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. Minute of Previous Meeting The minute of meeting of the Kinross-shire Committee of 15 May 2025 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Outstanding Business Statement Resolved: (i) The contents of the Outstanding Business Statement, be noted. (ii) It be agreed that completed actions would be removed from the Outstanding Business Statement.
Page 2
5. Fairer Communities for All and Green Living Fund D Grant (Team Leader, Climate Change and Sustainable Development), provided a verbal update on Green Living Fund, which was designed to provide support to community groups with projects that help address cost of living crisis and climate change crisis. Following the success with Round 1, as part of the budget setting process for 2025/26, a £200k funding towards Round 2 was allocated across all council wards, to focus on 6 key areas – energy, transport, waste, climate resilience, nature and engagement. Kinross-shire has been awarded £17,686.45. D Grant advised of the timeframe for submitting applications and explained the revised scoring system that has been introduced this year, which includes 50% public vote and 50% technical assessment by an expert panel, evaluating climate impact, cost of living benefits and community value for money. The Green living Fund is being coordinated alongside the Fair Communities for All programme, with joint voting to streamline public engagement and maximise reach. K Evans (Locality Team Leader, Letham and North), provided a verbal update on Fairer Communities for All, a new process developed to assist with administration of the Community Investment Fund (CIF) and the Participatory Budgeting Fund (PB). An additional £100,000 from NHS Charitable Foundation has increased the allocation for Kinross-shire from %17,686.45 to £26,019.78. The project focuses on cost-of-living projects. Community engagement over summer identified key priorities for Kinross-shire – physical and social wellbeing, community transport, activities for children and young people, and warm spaces in the winter. Additional themes including volunteering, digital access, and support for vulnerable groups. K Evens also advised on the timeframe of application submission and explained the further process leading to public voting and granting the funding at the beginning of December this year. She also mentioned that unsuccessful projects will be offered support to seek alternative funding. In response to D Cuthbert query on the uptake in Kinross-shire, D Grant responded that from 6 applications submitted to the date, one came from Kinross. Councillor W Robertson queried whether applications from areas with access to substantial funding such as wind farms or renewable energy generators are eligible for the Green Living Fund or are they being redirected to those specific funding sources. In response D Grant advised that current guidance, as approved by members, does not restrict groups in areas with access to other substantial funding from applying to the Green Living Fund. In case of significant oversubscription, officers may check whether applicants are aware of alternative funding options, however eligibility for the Green Living Fund remains unaffected. Councillor Robertson raised a question regarding the eligibility of groups previously supported through the Community Investment Fund, such as Kinross-shire Path Group and bloom Groups, for the Fairer Communities for All programme. In response K Evans clarified that while previously supported groups remain eligible, all projects under Fairer Communities for All programme must demonstrate how they address the cost-of-living challenges. This requirement was set when the budget was approved at full Council. Projects with stronger environmental focus might be better suited for Green Living Fund.
Page 3
N Bingham mentioned that there had been previous discussion about whether voters should select just one project or to be required to choose multiple to avoid bias towards single-interest voting. He queried clarification on the voting process for project selection. In response K Evans confirmed that voting will be mandatory, with the number of votes everyone must cast being relative to the number of projects available. A maximum of five votes will be required, but this number will be reduced if fewer projects go forward to the public vote. While it was acknowledged that some individuals may simply tick additional boxes without strong preference, the approach is intended to give all groups a fairer chance. Voters will be encouraged to consider the wider needs of the community, and this will be clearly explained on the voting form. Councillor Watters raised a question regarding a potential early launch of the voting process for Green Living Fund, He suggested that although the official launch is scheduled for 27 October, there may be opportunity to begin a few days earlier to coincide with the local farmers market on the preceding Saturday, as this could enhance local engagement and participation. K Evans advised that the voting form is being developed alongside screening meetings with elected members, with the final meeting in Kinross-shire on 22 October. If decisions are finalised by then, the form could be ready in time for a Saturday launch. D Grant added that a practicality of shifting dates must be sought but she was happy to look into it and report back. L Haxton referred to question asked by Councillor Robertson regarding alternative funding sources for community projects and mentioned previous schemes such as Climate Challenge Fund and Nature Restoration fund. Additionally, he highlighted the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Funding webpage as a useful tool for identifying suitable funding opportunities, particularly for groups who may not be eligible for the funds discussed during the meeting. In response D Grant noted that Greenspace has received additional funding this year to support Bloom Groups, which may be potential source of support depending on the scale of funding required. A portion of the Nature Restoration Fund was also allocated to Greenspace, and if there is an underspend available to meet additional needs. She also mentioned other specific grants, such as Paths for All, which supports path upkeep, and it is not Council-run. She emphasised that while not all groups may be eligible for the funds discussed, officers are committed to helping groups identify suitable funding sources, recognising the vital work they do. Councillor Cuthbert sought approval from members and queried officers whether Kinross-shire Community Council could be involved in the screening process of the applications scheduled on 22 October. K Evans responded that, should the Committee agree to include Community Councillors in the screening process, all applications would require redaction of personal information prior to being shared on the day. Members thanked D Grant and K Evans for their update and noted the contents.
Page 4
6. Emergency Planning and Community Resilience S Terras (CAM Team Leader, Capital Investment and Asset Management) and F Campbell (Community Support and Enforcement Co-ordinator), followed by introducing their team and job roles, provided a slide-based presentation on Emergency Planning and Community Resilience. The first part of the presentation included emergency planning overview, definition and scope of emergencies, Council emergency response structures and resources and guidance. The second part of the presentation focused on community resilience and emergency preparedness, access to equipment and resources, types of emergencies and local impact, community resilience groups and key assets, training and future engagement. Councillor Watters referred to previous discussion and whether a progress has been made on coordinating and listing the assets held by different Community Resilience Groups, such as equipment sharing between areas to support one another during emergencies. In response F Campbell advise that while a coordinated asset list across Community Resilience Groups has not yet been developed within PKC, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service maintains an asset register for Perth and Kinross. PKC is awaiting access to this updated register. Officers are happy to engage with Community Councils to build local asset awareness, and many groups have already acquired equipment through grant funding. In response to Councillor Cuthbert’s question on the process of finding people to volunteer, F Campbell responded that their team reaches out to communities, to listen to what people have to say about issues in the area and what can be done. They look at available resources and suggest similar solutions based on plans already implemented by other groups. Members thanked S Terras and F Campbell for their presentation and noted the contents. 7. Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan P Leonard (Climate Change and Zero Waste Manager), provided a slide- based presentation on Circular Economy Strategy, following the Waste Management Plan Update and Draft Circular Economy Strategy Consultation Document, which was approved by Climate Change and Sustainability Committee on 20 August 2025. He briefly explained the critical success factors, which cover a production of five-year strategy that is compliant with changing policy, reducing waste and improving recycling and engagement with stakeholders and local businesses. He also talked about priorities and provided details for each theme – Waste and recycling operations, Council Services, Consumers and Society and Business and Industry. He advised Members, that a draft strategy consultation is live and will be running till 14 October 2025, with first strategy and action plan to be published in 2026. Councillor W Robertson raised concerns received from constituents regarding lack of access to compost at the local recycling centre. He specifically questioned why
Page 5
compost is unavailable, noting that the local Bloom Groups, who would benefit most from it, are particularly affected. P Leonard responded that he would investigate the issue and advise Members as soon as he has more information. In response to another query from Councillor W Robertson relating to housing development site in the specific area, which seems to be lacking an allocated facility for bins and recycling for new build houses, P Leonard advised he would consult with Planning Services to seek information on what could be done, as there are no specific guidelines on that matter. Members thanked P Leonard for his presentation and noted the contents. 8. Road Safety – Reporting Mechanism There was a verbal update by D McKeown (Senior Technician, Traffic and Network Management) on 20mph national strategy, which has been implemented across most of Kinross-shire’s rural communities and timelines for work completion in Kinross town and Milnathort, timelines for works on various pedestrian crossings, works and temporary measures planned for Kinross Transportation Hub, and also findings from traffic surveys which assessed effectiveness of speed-reducing ramps installed early this year. D McKeown provided update on development of Damage-only Collision Reporting mechanism, following discussions at the previous meeting of Kinross-shire Committee. The project is in early stages, however discussions are ongoing with software providers offering in-car data analysis tools, supported by funding from the Scottish Government’s Road Safety Improvement Fund. A broader review of internal procedures is underway starting early October, with outcomes to be reported back to elected Members in due course. 8(i) Roads Maintenance Partnership W Mahoney, Deputy Perth Road Maintenance Partnership Manager, provided a brief update on the 2025 planned surfacing schemes in Kinross-shire, including surface dressing, patching and reconstruction. He also talked about schemes deferred to next financial year and reason for deferral. And lastly, he outlined provisional plans for 2026. Members continued their discussion on road safety issues in Kinross-shire and expressed their concerns in relation to certain areas. D McKeown addressed several of the points raised. Members thanked D McKeown and W Mahoney for their updates and noted the contents.
Page 6
9. Community Insights – Data and Intelligence L Haxton, Strategic Planning, Performance & Risk Team Leader (Operations) provided an overview of the Community Insights programme, a developing tool designed to provide up-to-date demographic and socioeconomic data for local member wards, including Kinross-shire. Acorn Classification data was presented, highlighting household types across Kinross-shire. Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) showed data analysis on indicators such as crime, health, housing, education, employment and income across the local area. Community Planning Outcomes Profile (CPOP) ranked Perth and Kinross towns based on vulnerability. Members noted the update. ~~~~~~