Minute of Meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 14 January 2026 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 25 February 2026
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 25 February 2026 and its agenda
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DRAFT Perth and Kinross Council Minute of hybrid meeting of Perth and Kinross Council held in the Council Chamber, 2 High Street, Perth on Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 10.00am. Present: Provost X McDade, Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies C Ahern (left during consideration of Item 10), B Bailey, R Brock, C McLaren and M Williamson; Councillors H Anderson, L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, S Carr, A Chan, D Cuthbert (up to Item 10), S Donaldson, E Drysdale, J Duff, A Forbes (left during consideration of Item 10 and returned during consideration of Item 11), M Frampton, N Freshwater, K Harvey, D Illingworth, 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; L Simpson, Strategic Lead - Legal and Governance; E Ritchie, Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities; S Walker, Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support; J Pepper, Director Integrated Health and Social Care/Chief Officer; A Singh, Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice; D McPhee (Housing and Communities), Z Robertson, J Menzies, D Mitchell, I Wilkie andC Jolly (Health and Social Care Partnership), S Cooper andJ Baker (both Children, Families and Justice); S Rodger, S Hendry, A Brown and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance); G Binnie, Independent Chair Perth and Kinross Child Protection Committee and Perth and Kinross Adult Protection Committee. Also in Attendance: Stewart family and McPhee family (for Item 6). Apologies: Councillors K Allan and I James. Provost X McDade, Presiding Provost led on Items 1-9 and 12-15, and Depute Provost led on Item 10 and 11. 1. Welcome and Apologies Provost McDade welcomed all those present to the meeting. Provost paid tribute to the recent passing of the late former Provost Dr. John Hulbert. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no Declarations of Interest in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
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DRAFT 3. Minutes 3(i) Minute of Meeting of Pre-Determination Committee of 10 December 2025 for Approval The minute of the meeting of Pre-Determination Committee of 10 December 2025 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 3(ii) Minute of Meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 10 December 2025 for Approval The minute of the meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 10 December 2025 was submitted and approved as a correct record. Following queries by both Councillors Colin Stewart and Grant Laing on Item 8 in the minute, “The Heiton” – 1-5 High Street Hotel Development, it was agreed that an elected member briefing note would be circulated to all members providing more detail on the timeline of the formal bidding process. 4. Notice of Motion Motion by Councillor P Barrett and Bailie C Ahern Buskers Code of Conduct Council notes the increasing levels of concerns expressed by Perth High Street residents and businesses in response to prolonged periods of loud music played by buskers in the city centre. Perth City Centre Councillors have received complaints of anti-social behaviour and disputes between buskers and disturbances over busking pitches and durations. Council notes that Buskers Codes of Conduct have been introduced in Scottish cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. Council instructs officers to prepare a Buskers Code of Conduct for Perth City Centre and to bring a draft code of conduct for approval by Council for consultation with businesses and residents. Amendment by Bailies A Bailey and R Brock Amendment to item 4(i) Council agrees the motion and in doing so replaces the final paragraph with this updated wording: “Council instructs officers to engage with the local community, businesses, visitors to the city centre, Police Scotland, and the Community Support and
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DRAFT Enforcement Team to establish the presence and nature of the problem. There will then follow a review of existing legislation/regulation prior to appropriate consultation with the community about proposed Codes of Conduct or local by-laws. Progress will be monitored and decisions brought back to the relevant committee or Council.” In terms of Standing Order 21, a roll call vote was taken 26 Members voted for the Motion 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, E Drysdale, J Duff, A Forbes, M Frampton, N Freshwater, D Illingworth, N Khogali, I MacPherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, J Rebbeck, W Robertson, C Shiers, F Smith and A Watt. 12 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Provost X McDade, Bailies A Bailey and R Brock, Councillors H Anderson, A Chan, K Harvey, G Laing, T McEwan, C Stewart, G Stewart, R Watters and J Welch. Resolved: In accordance with the Motion. 5. Outstanding Business Statement The Outstanding Business Statement was noted, and it was agreed to remove the completed actions. 6. The Historic Tinker Experiment – An Apology There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (26/9) seeking members’ approval to issue a formal apology to the Gypsy/Traveller community for the role played by local authorities in Perth and Kinross in implementing historic policies and procedures known as the Tinker Experiment. Resolved: (i) The historical context and local impact of the Tinker Experiment in Scotland and Perth and Kinrossbe noted; (ii) It be noted that the historic policies and practices had a direct and lasting impact on the Gypsy/Traveller community. (iii) A formal apology be issued to the Gypsy/Traveller community for the role played by local authorities in Perth and Kinross in implementing historic policies and procedures known as the Tinker Experiment. (iv) The actions the Council will take forward which will support the formal apology, as set out in the report, be agreed. (There followed a short recess and the meeting reconvened at 11.32am)
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DRAFT 7. Armed Forces Covenant Progress Report There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (26/10) providing members with an update on the Council’s progress in fulfilling its commitment under the Armed Forces Covenant. Resolved: (i) The content of thereport be noted and the continued work in relation to the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant be approved. 8. Equalities Mainstreaming Report 2025-29 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (26/11) seeking a formal approval of the Council’s Statutory Equalities Mainstreaming Report. Resolved: (i) The Equalities Mainstreaming Report 2025-2029 be approved and the associated work highlighted in the report be noted. 9. Health and Social Care Financial Recovery Update There was submitted a report by Director Integrated Health and Social Care/Chief Officer (26/12) (1) updating Council on work undertaken to scope out potential financial recovery actions as set out in Part B of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) Financial Recovery Plan considered by the IJB on 8 October 2025, including an initial, high-level assessment of each potential action. Also (2) providing clarity on the decision-making responsibilities of both the IJB and Council in relation to adult social care and considering that, proposes that Part B options be considered as part of the Council Budget setting process for 2026/27 following confirmation of the Scottish Government’s budget settlement. Resolved: (i) The progress on delivery in-year on Part A of the Recovery Plan as reported to the IJB on 17 December 2025 be noted; (ii) The work undertaken to date in relation to Part B actions, their likely impact and associated risks, be noted; (iii) The clarified decision-making responsibilities of the IJB and Perth & Kinross Council, with reference to the proposed Part B Actions, be noted; (iv) It be noted that Part B options require to be considered as part of the Council’s budget setting process for 2026/27;
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DRAFT (v) It be agreed to continue to work collaboratively with the IJB, NHS Tayside and other strategic partners to resolve the structural funding gap for health and social care in Perth & Kinross. (There followed a lunch break and the meeting reconvened at 2.15pm) 10. Chief Social Work Officer Annual Report 2024-25 There was submitted a report by Chief Social Work Officer (26/13) (1) providing a comprehensive overview of how the Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) has fulfilled legal, professional, and governance responsibilities over the past year, (2) detailing the delivery of social work services, in line with national legislation and local strategic objectives, ensuring that the Council is fully informed of the service’s performance, compliance, and alignment with best practice. Also (3) providing the opportunity to scrutinise key achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement across Children and Families Social Work, Adult Social Work, and Justice Social Work services, (4) highlighting the impact of early intervention, trauma-informed practice, and multi-agency collaboration, as well as the social work service’s response to the increasing complexity of cases, demographic pressures, and financial constraints, (5) providing assurance regarding the quality of safeguarding, governance arrangements, and the effectiveness of workforce development initiatives, and also (6) serving as a foundation for continuous improvement, ensuring that social work services remain responsive, resilient, and committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred support. In addition, the report is (7) detailing the arrangements to enable the CSWO to fulfil the responsibilities outlined in Section 5 (1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (as amended). Resolved: (i) Assurance be taken from the CSWO Annual Report 2024/25 that despite challenges, overall performance across social work and social care service areas has remained high in delivering quality services. 11. Perth and Kinross Adult Protection Committee Annual Report 2024-25 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice (26/14) providing (1) a comprehensive overview and analysis of Adult Support and Protection (ASP) activity in the reporting year from April 2024 to March 2025, (2) assurance that the protection and welfare of vulnerable and at-risk adults remain a strategic and operational priority, and (3) showing the pressures arising from changing demand for services and our commitment to learning how the often- complex factors can leave an adult at risk of harm. The report alsodemonstrated that this has been managed effectively by prioritising resources and ensuring that there are sufficient skilled social workers to respond timeously and effectively.
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DRAFT Resolved: (i) The wide range of work carried out by Perth and Kinross Adult Protection Committee (APC) and partner agencies throughout the reporting period from April 2024 to March 2025 to safeguard adults considered to be at risk of harm be noted; (ii) The contents of the APC Annual Report 2024 - 2025 (Appendix 1) be endorsed. 12. Perth and Kinross Child Protection Committee (CPC) Standards and Quality Report 2024-25. There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice (26/15) (1) providing an overview of the key activities and work of the CPC partners to protect unborn babies, babies, children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation, (2) describing the CPC’s achievements, key strengths, and areas for improvement, (3) including an update on the CPC’s new Improvement Plan, confirming the CPC’s ongoing commitment to shared learning and continuous improvement, and the comprehensive programme of improvement work in place for academic year 2025/2026. Resolved: (i) The wide range of work being carried out by Perth and Kinross Council and their partners, through the CPC, to provide high quality services to protect children and young people, in particular, the high-level of commitment to continuous improvement through quality assurance and self-evaluation, be noted; (ii) The contents of this report, the CPC S&Q Report 2024/2025 (appendix 1), the contents of the CPC Improvement Plan 1 January 2025 – 31 July 2028 (appendix 2) and its update (appendix 3) and the Executive Summary of the CPC S&Q Report and Infographic for 2024/2025 (appendix 4), be endorsed. 13. Scottish Parliament Elections – 7 May 2026 – Designation of Polling Places Resolved: The following changes to polling places for the Scottish Parliament Elections on 7 May 2026 be agreed: Upper Springlands to the Gannochy Community Centre (temporary change). Craigie Church Hall to Darnhall Tennis Club (permanent change).
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DRAFT 14. Appointments to Committees / Outside Bodies / Partnerships and Working Groups Resolved: 1. Councillor Peter Barrett be replaced by Councillor Alan Watt on Finance and Resources Committee. 2. Councillor Peter Barrett be replaced by Bailie Claire McLaren on Executive sub-Committee of Finance and Resources Committee. 3. Councillor Peter Barrett be replaced by Bailie Claire McLaren on Property Sub-Committee of Finance and Resources Committee 4. Councillor Liz Barrett be replaced by Councillor Alan Watt on Executive Sub- Committee of Learning and Families Committee. 5. Councillor Liz Barrett be replaced by Councillor Alan Watt on Children, Young People and Families Partnership. 6. Councillor Liz Barrett be replaced by Councillor Alan Watt on Perth and Kinross Educational Trust Committee. 7. Councillor Liz Barrett be replaced by Bailie Claire McLaren on Strategic Investment Advisory Group. 8. Councillor Peter Barrett be replaced by Councillor Alan Watt on Community Justice and Safety Partnership. 15. Elected Members Briefing Notes The Elected Members Briefing Notes, issued since the previous Council meeting and as set out on the agenda, be noted.