Minute of Meeting of Kinross-shire Committee of 19 February 2026 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 14 May 2026
Back to Kinross-shire Committee — 14 May 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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KINROSS-SHIRE COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Kinross-shire Committee held in Loch Leven Community Campus, Milnathort, on Thursday 19 February 2026 at 5.00pm. Present: Councillors D Cuthbert, R Watters, N Freshwater and W Robertson, S Gordon (Cleish & Blairadam Community Council); L Hatch (Portmoak Community Council); N Bingham (Milnathort and Orwell Community Council); D West (Kinross Community Council) and D Smart (Glenfarg Community Council). In Attendance: D McKeown, M Findlay (both up to Item 6) and H Wilson (all Environment and Infrastructure), S Rice-Jones and D Stokoe (both Housing and Communities), K Easton (Economy, Planning and Development), A Brown and M Pasternak (both Legal and Governance). Also in Attendance: D Smythe (Chair of Rural Perth and Kinross LAG), Dr N Merchant, S Bruce-Jones (Fossoway Community Development Trust), P Tibbetts Apology: Fossoway Community Council Councillor D Cuthbert, Convener, Presiding. Convener led on Items 1-5, 7 and 10-12, and Vice-Convener led on Item 6 and 9. 1. Welcome and Apologies The Convener welcomed all present to the meeting and apology was noted as above. 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 4 December 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.
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5. Road Safety /Average Speed Cameras There was a verbal update by D McKeown (Senior Technician, Traffic and Network Management) on the works undertaken towards speed reduction within Kinross-shire area. He advised that work is underway to prepare drawings and explanatory letters for Elected Members and Community Councils outlining potential physical traffic-calming measures along the A977. These would be located at village entrances and through village centres. Public meetings have been scheduled for mid-March to discuss with communities about preferred options such as ramps, speed cushions, chicanes, and various physical measures within village centres. Given the similarities between A94 and A977 in terms of traffic volume and road alignment, officers wish to begin discussions with A977 communities, and the documentation is currently being prepared and is expected to be issued withing the next few weeks. Councillor W Robertson raised a question regarding remaining anomalies in the newly introduced speed limits across different areas and sought on how long it will take to update all VA (Vehicle Activated) signs, so they display the correct speed limit information. D McKeown advised that he was not aware of any VA signs still requiring recalibration. He requested Members to provide specific locations where issues remain so that the Council’s contractor can attend and reset the signs accordingly. Members thanked D McKeown for the update. 6. Active Travel /Mapping Update There was a slide-based presentation by M Findlay (Active Travel and UTC Engineer – Traffic and Network) providing Members with an overview on the proposals for improvements at the Park and Ride site. The main aim of the project is to develop a sustainable transport hub, focusing and enhancing active travel access, including improved walking and cycling routes, upgraded parking and better waiting facilities within shelters to improve overall user experience. Members were presented with three options: Option 1 Proposal for a large shelter structure incorporating cycle parking and enlarged waiting area. Progressing this option would result in significant constraints, including loss of car parking (10 standard parking spaces), issues with maintenance and procurement, displacement of disabled parking bays. Officers are exploring alternative options that would be easier to deliver and have less impact on parking capacity, while still considering improvement to the waiting environment, including public space CCTV and potential landscaping to better separate pedestrians from vehicles.
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Option 2 Proposal of an alternative design option for the shelter, the revised layout would involve building into existing disabled parking bays, with these spaces relocated, resulting in the loss of five standard parking spaces overall. The proposed shelters would be positioned to maximise enclosed space and minimise parking impact. The design includes two shelters facing central waiting area, with live travel information displays, CCTV coverage, potential seating and landscaping, and also improved cycle facilities, including both conventional and a secure, app- controlled cycle storage units. Option 3 Proposal based on the use of the existing footway footprint to provide a single, extended shelter with no loss of parking. Councillor W Robertson queried whether the bike parking will be covered by CCTV. M Findlay responded that proposed public-space CCTV would include a fixed camera covering the car parking area, a fixed camera within the shelter area, and additional pan-tilt camera to allow monitoring across the wider Park and Ride site. Councillor D Cuthbert noted that disabled parking bays at the site are rarely fully used, and asked whether the proposed loss of five parking spaces was necessary, and whether the requirement for retaining the current number could be reviewed or adjusted as part of design. M Findlay advised that guidance recommends a minimum percentage of disabled parking bays relative to the overall number of spaces. He also advised that this option could be explored further, subject to Committee’s views and compliance with relevant standards. N Bingham queried whether provision could be made for toilet facility at the site, noting that the area is being developed as transport hub, there are currently no public toilets available. M Findlay replied that installation of public toilets would be challenging, due to significant work required, including securing water and drainage connections, maintenance and operational responsibilities. Introducing toilet facilities at this stage would likely to delay the project significantly. There followed a vote with the majority of members choosing Option 2. M Findlay also provided a brief update on mapping app, progress of footway works linked to Lathro (Persimmon) development, and a feasibility study underway for an improved active travel route (Park & Ride to Kinross High Street). Members thanked M Findlay for his presentation and noted the contents.
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7. Communities Led Local Development D Smythe (Chair of Rural Perth and Kinross LAG) and provided a slide-based presentation on the background, history, governance and operation of Perth and Kinross LAG (Local Action Group). LAG is one of the 20 operating across Scotland, originally established under LEADER programme and now continuing as Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funded by the Scottish Government with Perth and Kinross acting as the Accountable Body. In part of the presentation S Rice Jones (Team Leader – External Funding, Performance Monitoring) covered funding overview and impact, she highlighted alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals and Scottish Government and Perth and Kinross priorities. LAG continues to support rural businesses through match-funded grants. Focus on Community Action Plans is the primary mechanism for identifying and prioritising local development needs, helping communities take coordinated and strategic approach. Councillor W Robertson referred to a local brownfield site which was preserved for retail use as part of Local Action Plan, however it appears to conflict with current planning application for an alternative use, such as housing. He queried how the local authority ensures that priorities identified in a Local Action Plan are reflected in planning and decision making. In response S Rice Jones advised that Local Action Plans should be regarded as priority documents reflecting community aspirations. Those priorities need to be translated into Local Place Plan. While Local Action Plan and Local Place Plan can be developed in parallel, it is for the community to decide the timing and approach, however planners are not legally required to adopt them. Councillor R Watters queried whether the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology used focuses solely on measuring additional financial leverage and capital investment, or it also captures wider outcomes such as savings to Health and Social Care Services. In response S Rice Jones explained that social value measurement focuses on the impact on people that financial inputs. The LAG uses the Social Value Engine to select appropriate proxies depending on nature of each project. Councillor D Cuthbert made a comment that the retrospective nature of LAG funding creates difficulties for Community Councils, given limits on the level of reserves they can hold, and raised a question whether any alternative funding sources are available. S Rice Jones responded that officers actively support community groups to identify alternative funding sources. A grant-finding service is in place, providing access to a wide range of funding opportunities relevant to community projects. Members thanked D Smythe and S Rice Jones for the update and noted the content of presentation.
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8. Kinross-shire Flag There was a verbal update by Councillor N Freshwater and a slide-based presentation by P Tibbetts on the potential development of a competition-free community flag for Kinross-shire. The purpose of this item was to explore the concept and gauge initial interest in progressing the idea. The presentation outlined that community flags are usable symbols of local identity, heritage and place- branding, and are increasingly being adopted by communities across Scotland. It was noted that Kinross-shire community flag could support civic pride, tourism promotion, local economic activity, and heritage initiatives, aligning with the remit of the Committee. It was also noted that an information page and public survey have been launched to assess community interest before any decision is taken on progressing the proposal further. Members thanked Councillor N Freshwater and P Tibbetts for the update and noted the content. 9. LENs (Landscape Enterprise Network) H Wilson (Climate Change Land Restoration Officer) provided a slide-based presentation on the Leven LENS (Land Enterprise Network) programme, an initiative aimed at improving the landscape, water environment, biodiversity and climate resilience across Leven catchment. The programme brings together farmers, local organisations and funders to deliver practical measures such as reducing nutrient runoff, improving soil health, creating habitats and supporting regenerative agriculture. Members thanked H Wilson for the updated and noted the content of the presentation. 10. Fossoway Development Trust There was a short presentation by Dr N Merchant on the Fossoway Development Trust, outlining the background, governance and current activities of the Trust. It was reported that the Trust has produced a Community Action Plan and is one of three registered Local Place Plan groups within Perth and Kinross. The Trust’s ambition is to progress larger, strategic projects, particularly a heritage and nature trail linking local villages. The project aims to celebrate the area’s history, landscape and culture through improved path networks, restoration of heritage assets, such as Moubray Hall or old Blairingone Primary School. Members thanked Dr N Merchant for the update and noted the content.
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11. Sustainability Group – Community Benefit N Bingham provided a brief update on the Sustainability Group, which was established following early discussions around potential wind farm developments in the area and associated opportunities for community benefit. An agreement with Galileo is in place to secure community benefit funding linked to energy generation, and discussions with E-Power are ongoing, with their proposal still subject to the energy consenting process. Members were advised that the group intends to become formally constituted in the coming months, with trustees appointed. The proposed approach would allocate a proportion of funding to a general community benefit fund, with the remainder directed towards projects supporting employment and sustainable economic activity in the area. Members thanked N Bingham for the update. 12. Tay Cities Deal It was agreed that information would be circulated to members separately following the meeting. 13. Kinross-shire Committee Finance Update It was agreed that information would be circulated to members separately following the meeting. ~~~~~~