Minute of Meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 10 December 2025 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 14 January 2026
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 14 January 2026 and its agenda
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Perth and Kinross Council Minute of hybrid meeting of Perth and Kinross Council held in the Council Chamber, 2 High Street, Perth on Wednesday 10 December 2025 at 12.05pm. Present: Provost X McDade, Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies C Ahern, B Bailey, R Brock, C McLaren and M Williamson; Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, S Carr, A Chan, D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, J Duff, A Forbes, M Frampton, N Freshwater, K Harvey, D Illingworth, I James, N Khogali, G Laing, I MacPherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, W Robertson, C Shiers, F Smith, C Stewart, G Stewart, A Watt, R Watters and J Welch. In Attendance: T Glen, Chief Executive; C Mailer, Depute Chief Executive; L Simpson, Strategic Lead - Legal and Governance; S Merone, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning; K Smith, S Panton, J Janes and B Murray (all Economy, Development and Planning), J Beveridge, Strategic Lead – Property Services; S Walker, Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support; S Hendry, A Brown, C Elliot and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance). Provost X McDade, Presiding Provost led on Items 1-6 and 8-12 , and Depute Provost led on Item 7. 1. Welcome and Apologies Provost McDade welcomed all those present to the meeting. Provost paid tribute to recent passing of both the late former Provost John Culliven and the late former Councillor Wilma Lumsden. 2. Declarations of Interest In terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, Councillors E Drysdale and N Khogali declared a non-financial interest in item 6 on the agenda and Councillor K Harvey declared a non-financial interest in item 8. COUNCILLORS E DRYSDALE AND N KHOGALI LEFT THE MEETING AT THIS POINT. IT WAS AGREED TO RE-ORDER THE AGENDA AND CONSIDER ITEM 6 AT THIS POINT.
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6. Application for Full Planning Permission (25/00490/FLN) for the erection of a 400kv substation, associated upgrading of access tracks and various other ancillary works at Shindour Feddal Hill Wood, Braco. Motion by Councillor I Massie and Bailie C Ahern To approve the recommendations as set out in the report. 1st Amendment by Councillors K Allan and F Smith To defer a decision on the application to a future meeting of Perth and Kinross Council to enable the application to be considered along with the haul road application, 25/00984/FLM. 2nd Amendment by Councillors S Carr and A Watt In accordance with the Motion but with the following proposed additional condition: Proposed Additional Condition – Pedestrian Safety Upgrade Condition Prior to commencement of the development, a detailed design showing the mitigation measures for the B8033 including the following schemes being provided: a) a signalised puffin crossing on the B8033 Feddal Road to replace the current zebra crossing to link Braco Primary School with Braco Village Hall to provide a controlled crossing location for pupils, staff and visitors to cross the B8033. The signals shall be installed with intelligent signal controls or equivalent technology to optimise crossing response times during peak school hours; b) details of the proposed pedestrian barrier at Braco Primary School and Braco Village Hall on B8033 Feddal Road, to include the barrier specifications, length of barrier to be installed, the resultant footway width available after barrier installation; and c) traffic calming measures in the vicinity of the school to reduce vehicle speeds, shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Council as Planning Authority in consultation with the Roads Authority. The scheme for the approved shall thereafter be implemented in full, prior to the use of the B8033 by any construction traffic that generate movements through Braco village. Reason: In the interests of pedestrian safety and to safeguard school pupils and the wider community during the construction phase and operation of the development.
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Councillor C Stewart proposed a 3rd Amendment to refuse the application however with no seconder the amendment fell. There followed a short recess and the meeting reconvened at 12.46pm. 3rd Amendment by Councillors C Stewart and K Harvey To refuse the application on the basis that the proposal is contrary to National Planning Framework 4, Policy 5(c): Soils as the proposal is on peatland and it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that there is no other suitable site. Note: The Mover and Seconder of the Motion agreed to incorporate the 2nd Amendment into the Revised Motion. The 3rd Amendment therefore became the 2nd Amendment. In terms of Standing Order 21, a roll call vote was taken: 8 Members voted for the 1st Amendment as follows: Bailies A Bailey and R Brock, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, A Chan, A Forbes, F Smith, and R Watters. 4 Members voted for the 2nd Amendment as follows: Provost X McDade, Councillors K Harvey, I James, and C Stewart. 26 Members abstained as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies C Ahern, C McLaren and M Williamson, Councillors L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, S Carr, D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, J Duff, M Frampton, N Freshwater, D Illingworth, G Laing, I MacPherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, W Robertson, C Shiers, G Stewart, A Watt and J Welch. The 1st Amendment therefore became the substantive Amendment and was put against the Revised Motion. 28 Members voted for the Revised Motion as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies C Ahern, A Bailey, C McLaren and M Williamson, Councillors L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, S Carr, D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, J Duff, A Forbes, M Frampton, N Freshwater, D Illingworth, I MacPherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, W Robertson, C Shiers, G Stewart, A Watt, R Watters and J Welch. 9 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Provost X McDade, Bailie R Brock, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, A Chan, K Harvey, I James, F Smith and C Stewart.
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1 Member abstained as follows: Councillor G Laing. Resolved: In accordance with the Revised Motion. COUNCILLORS E DRYSDALE AND KHOGALI RETURNED TO THE MEETING AT THIS POINT. 3. Minute of Meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 29 October 2025 for Approval The minute of the meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 29 October 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. IT WAS AGREED TO RE-ORDER THE AGENDA AND CONSIDER ITEM 7 AT THIS POINT. 7. Local Development Plan 3 Evidence Report Resubmission There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/354) asking Council to approve the Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3) Evidence Report Resubmission and delegate authority to the Strategic Lead (Economy, Development and Planning) to submit to Scottish Ministers for the Gate Check process. Resolved: (i) The LDP3 Evidence Report Resubmission be approved and authority be delegated to the Strategic Lead (Economy, Development and Planning) to submit it to Scottish Ministers who will appoint a Reporter from the Department for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) for review; (i) Authority be delegated to the Strategic Lead (Economy, Development and Planning) to make any necessary minor changes or updates to the Evidence Report thereafter, prior to its submission to Scottish Ministers. There followed a recess and the meeting reconvened at 3.13pm.
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5. Notice of Motions Motion by Councillors J Duff and A Forbes Health and Social Care Emergency Council notes the findings in the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s 2025 Fiscal Sustainability Report and subsequent national documents including the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Social Work Scotland’s sector response and the recent report to Council regarding the challenges facing the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care partnership. Council recognises that Perth and Kinross faces challenges in delivering sustainable health and social care due to its rural geography and demographic changes involving its increasingly elderly population. Council believes that urgent, coordinated action is required to safeguard the wellbeing of our communities and ensure equitable access to social care. Council therefore resolves to: 1 Declare a ‘Health and Social Care Emergency’ in Perth and Kinross. 2 Call on the Scottish Government to urgently ensure that sustainable funding is made available to local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships to deliver integrated social care, deliver improved recruitment and retention of key workers, and support investment in early intervention, family support and community-led services to reduce demand on crisis care. 3 Call on the Scottish Government to urgently reassess the rural health and social care premium in national funding allocations, recognising the higher costs and logistical challenges of service delivery and movements in aging populations in areas like Perth and Kinross, recognising that action is needed to tackle inequalities across rural and urban Scotland. 4 Support further development of local training pathways and key worker housing initiatives; partnering with colleges and NHS Tayside to create care apprenticeships and training for local residents to address recruitment and retention challenges in the health and social care workforce. Council requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to convey the critical nature of this motion and request a meeting between the Cabinet Secretary and the Leader of the Council to set out how it proposes to address the issues identified in the 2025 Fiscal Sustainability Report and ensure a sustainable future for our health and social care sector.
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1st Amendment by Councillors E Drysdale and S McCole In accordance with the Motion but with the following changes: Council therefore resolves to:- Delete existing wording at point 1. Add 5: “Whilst recognising the increasing trajectory of demand for services, call upon Perth & Kinross IJB to continue to work urgently and closely with the financial teams of both Perth & Kinross Council and NHS Tayside with a view to taking firm and decisive steps in early course to optimise its operating procedures, maximise effective productivity, retain focus on prevention and early intervention services, and improve its financial position wherever possible.” Add 6: “Call upon COSLA, Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to recognise the importance of rurality on cost of service delivery and ensure that budget- related financial distribution methodologies properly reflect this.” 2nd Amendment by Councillor P Barrett and Bailie C McLaren In accordance with the Motion but with the following changes: Final paragraph “Council requests” insert paragraph space, insert i) Insert new paragraph ii) Council requests the Leader of the Council to write to the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government seeking urgent in- year funding and a meeting to address health and social care overspends and recurring funding to avoid implementing the severe recovery plan restrictions on care and support and to address the increasing demand pressures in 2026/27. There followed a short recess and the meeting reconvened at 3.55pm. Note: The Mover and Seconder of the Motion agreed to accept and incorporate points 5 and 6 from the 1st Amendment and point 2 from the 2nd Amendment into the Revised Motion. Councillor P Barrett and Bailie McLaren then withdrew the Revised 2nd Amendment. The Revised 1st Amendment therefore became the substantive Amendment.
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In terms of Standing Order 21, a roll call vote was taken: 22 Members voted for the Revised Motion as follows: Provost X McDade, Bailies C Ahern, R Brock and C McLaren, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, B Brawn, L Barrett, P Barrett, A Chan, D Cuthbert, J Duff, A Forbes, N Freshwater, D Illingworth, I James, N Khogali, W Robertson, C Shiers, F Smith, C Stewart and A Watt. 18 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies A Bailey and M Williamson, Councillors S Carr, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, M Frampton, K Harvey, G Laing, I MacPherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, G Stewart, R Watters and J Welch. Resolved: In accordance with the revised Motion as follows: Health and Social Care Emergency Council notes the findings in the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s 2025 Fiscal Sustainability Report and subsequent national documents including the Medium- Term Financial Strategy and Social Work Scotland’s sector response and the recent report to Council regarding the challenges facing the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care partnership. Council recognises that Perth and Kinross faces challenges in delivering sustainable health and social care due to its rural geography and demographic changes involving its increasingly elderly population. Council believes that urgent, coordinated action is required to safeguard the wellbeing of our communities and ensure equitable access to social care. Council therefore resolves to: 1 Declare a ‘Health and Social Care Emergency’ in Perth and Kinross. 2 Call on the Scottish Government to urgently ensure that sustainable funding is made available to local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships to deliver integrated social care, deliver improved recruitment and retention of key workers, and support investment in early intervention, family support and community- led services to reduce demand on crisis care. 3 Call on the Scottish Government to urgently reassess the rural health and social care premium in national funding allocations, recognising the higher costs and logistical challenges of service delivery and movements in aging populations in areas like Perth and Kinross, recognising that action is needed to tackle inequalities across rural and urban Scotland. 4 Support further development of local training pathways and key worker housing initiatives; partnering with colleges and NHS Tayside to create care
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apprenticeships and training for local residents to address recruitment and retention challenges in the health and social care workforce. 5 Whilst recognising the increasing trajectory of demand for services, call upon Perth & Kinross IJB to continue to work urgently and closely with the financial teams of both Perth & Kinross Council and NHS Tayside with a view to taking firm and decisive steps in early course to optimise its operating procedures, maximise effective productivity, retain focus on prevention and early intervention services, and improve its financial position wherever possible. 6 Call upon COSLA, Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to recognise the importance of rurality on cost of service delivery and ensure that budget-related financial distribution methodologies properly reflect this.” Council requests: 1. the Leader of the Council to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to convey the critical nature of this motion and request a meeting between the Cabinet Secretary and the Leader of the Council to set out how it proposes to address the issues identified in the 2025 Fiscal Sustainability Report and ensure a sustainable future for our health and social care sector. 2. the Leader of the Council to write to the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government seeking urgent in-year funding and a meeting to address health and social care overspends and recurring funding to avoid implementing the severe recovery plan restrictions on care and support and to address the increasing demand pressures in 2026/27. COUNCILLOR K HARVEY LEFT THE MEETING AT THIS POINT. 8. ‘The Heiton’ – 1-5 High Street Hotel Development There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance and Strategic Lead - Economy, Development and Planning (25/355) seeking Council approval to nominate Lock Terrace Ltd and its directors as the developer for the proposed ‘Heiton’ hotel at 1–5 High Street, Perth. The recommendation follows a recent due diligence review, prompted by changes in the status of the previously preferred bidder, ahead of the building’s planned redevelopment. Motion by Councillors E Drysdale and J Rebbeck To approve the recommendations in the report. Amendment by Bailies A Bailey and R Brock In accordance with the Motion but the with the following changes: Replace recommendation 2.1 with:
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Defer decision on Report 25/355 and requests officers bring back a further report to the April 2026 Council meeting containing the following potential options: a. Use as a hotel but on a long-term full insuring and repairing lease of 1-5 High Street where the Council retains ultimate ownership of the building and the historically significant areas are public spaces within the hotel. b. Full or partial conversion to housing – with the historically significant parts remaining as public spaces – in line with the Council policy where housing will be prioritised as a use when the Council disposes of a property. c. Retention and renovation as 1,300m2 of office space for use by the Council with the equivalent amount of space being let out in Pullar House to generate an income of c£270,000 per annum to offset any additional borrowing required to carry out renovation works. In terms of Standing Order 21, a roll call vote was taken: 31 Members voted for the Motion as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies C McLaren and M Williamson, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, S Carr, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, J Duff, A Forbes, M Frampton, N Freshwater, D Illingworth, I James, N Khogali, I MacPherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, W Robertson, C Shiers, F Smith, G Stewart, A Watt, R Watters and J Welch. 6 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Provost X McDade, Bailies A Bailey and R Brock, Councillors A Chan, D Cuthbert and C Stewart. 2 Members abstained as follows: Bailie C Ahern and Councillor G Laing. Resolved: In accordance with the Motion. COUNCILLOR K HARVEY RETURNED TO THE MEETING AT THIS POINT. 9. Medium Term Financial Plan 2026-32 There was submitted a report by Chief Finance Officer (25/356) updating the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) approved by Council on 4 December 2024 (Report No. 24/350 refers), setting out how the Council will manage its finances over the next six years, ensuring resources are used effectively to meet Council priorities, aligning with the Corporate Delivery and Improvement Plan and other key strategies.
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Motion by Councillors E Drysdale and S Donaldson To approve the recommendations as set out in the report. Amendment by Councillors C Stewart and D Cuthbert In accordance with the Motion but with the following change: Replace recommendation 2.2 with: 2.2. endorse a six-year indicative Council tax strategy as set out below, all of which will be subject to final budget setting for these years. 2026/27 - 7.5% 2027/28 – 3.75% 2028/29 – 3.25% 2029/30 – 3.25% 2030/31 – 3.25% 2031/32 – 3.25% Requests officers to build these changes into their planning assumptions for future years budgets and bring forward measures that would allow the Council to deliver a balanced budget. In terms of Standing Order 21, a roll call vote was taken: 19 Members voted for the Motion as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies C McLaren and M Williamson, Councillors L Barrett P Barrett, S Carr, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, M Frampton, K Harvey, I MacPherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, G Stewart, R Watters and Welch. 20 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Provost X McDade, Bailies C Ahern, A Bailey and R Brock, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, B Brawn, A Chan, D Cuthbert, J Duff, A Forbes, N Freshwater, D Illingworth, I James, N Khogali, G Laing, W Robertson, C Shiers, F Smith and C Stewart. 1 Member abstained as follows: Councillor A Watt.
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Resolved: In accordance with the Amendment. 10. Appointments to Committees Resolved: 1. Councillor Ian Massie be appointed as an additional Vice-Convener of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee. 2. Bailie Mike Williamson be appointed as an additional Vice-Convener of the Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee. 11. Update to Scheme of Administration Resolved: The change to the Scheme of Administration as set out on the agenda be agreed. 12. Elected Members Briefing Notes The Elected Members Briefing Notes, issued since the previous Council meeting and as set out on the agenda, be noted.