Minute of Meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 10 September 2025 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 29 October 2025
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 29 October 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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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 September 2025 at 12.20pm Present: Provost X McDade, Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies B Bailey, R Brock, C McLaren and M Williamson; Councillors K Allan, H Anderson (up to Item 6), 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, 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; S Merone, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning; S MacDonald, A Farnington, S Crawford, Strategic Lead – Property Services; J Beveridge (all Property Services) G Fogg, S Hendry, A Brown and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance), Apologies for Absence: Bailie C Ahern and Councillor N Khogali. Provost X McDade, Presiding 1. Welcome and Apologies Provost McDade welcomed all those present to the meeting and apologies were noted as above. 2. Declarations of Interest In terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, Councillor F Smith declared a non-financial interest in item 5, and Councillor S Donaldson declared a non-financial interest in item 6 on the agenda. 3. Minute of Meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 18 June 2025 for Approval The minute of the meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 18 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.
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5. Reconfiguration of existing golf course and club house from 18 holes to 9 holes, and a community hub building and associated sports courts and bike trails, walking and cycling paths and car parking area, erection of up to 175 residential dwellings, open/amenity space, landscaping, drainage, upgraded site access and associated works at Craigie Hill Golf Club, Pickembere, Perth Motion by Bailie A Bailey and Councillor H Anderson I move for approval subject to the following being addressed by manner of conditions: • Transport planning concern about interaction with new supermarket • Access arrangements in case of flooding on local road network When such conditions are considered alongside the significant wider benefits of this development, including; the provision of affordable and accessible housing units within the core of Perth City, its conformity with 20 minute neighbourhood policy, and the long-term security of a popular sports club, it is considered by council there is sufficient justification and net gain to permit the development, contrary to the provisions of the adopted development plan. Amendment by Councillors I Massie and G Stewart To support the recommendations of the Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning in Report 25/221 and to refuse the application. (There followed a short recess and the meeting reconvened at 12.50pm) The Mover and Seconder of the Motion agreed to incorporate an additional condition: • to delegate to officers authority to draft and impose appropriate planning conditions for an in-principle application of this nature together with the requirement for, if appropriate, to require the applicant enters into a section 75 agreement. In terms of Standing Order 21., a roll call vote was taken: 9 Members voted for the Motion as follows: Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailie A Bailey, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, A Chan, J Duff, A Forbes, T McEwan and A Watt. 26 Members voted for the Amendment as follows: Provost X McDade, Bailies R Brock, C McLaren and M Williamson, Councillors L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, S Carr, D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, N Freshwater, K Harvey, D Illingworth, I James, G Laing, I Macpherson, C Mair, I Massie, S McCole, W Roberston, C Shiers, C Stewart, G Stewart, R Watters and J Welch.
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2 Members abstained as follows: Councillors M Frampton and J Rebbeck. Resolved: In accordance with the Amendment. (There followed a recess and the meeting reconvened at 2.15pm.) COUNCILLOR ANDERSON LEFT THE MEETING AT THIS POINT. 6. Tay Cities Regional Deal Programme – Update on PK Projects There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/223) providing an update on the process of Reshaping the Tay Cities Deal (TCD). Projects in Perth and Kinross could either be confirmed for delivery within the timescales of the Deal or replaced by alternatives projects by February 2026. Resolved: (i) The contents of the report be noted. (ii) It be agreed that the Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning to provide a further update on the progress at a future meeting. COUNCILLORS M FRAMPTON, K ALLAN AND P BARRETT ALL LEFT THE MEETING DURING CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM. 7. Perth City Centre Development & Design Framework Review Update There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/224) providing an update on the Perth City Centre Development & Design Framework, originally presented in September 2024 (Report No. 24/241), outlining: progress since the Council’s approval to consult on the Framework, summary of feedback from engagement and public consultation, proposals being advanced or prepared for next-stage development, a pipeline of projects ready for progression when funding becomes available. Motion by Councillors G Laing and E Drysdale To approve the recommendations in Report 25/224.
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Amendment by Bailie A Bailey and Depute Provost A Parrott • Council agrees Recommendations 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. • However, Council additionally notes its concern that a once in a lifetime opportunity to truly integrate bus and rail transport in our city is being missed due to Network Rail's timescales not matching Council's own funding timescales. • Further it notes that the land currently occupied by carriage sidings, but previously earmarked for the bus station, will now become surplus to railway use in 5 years based on the Cabinet Secretary's recent announcement that Fife and Borders electrification is to proceed. • Therefore, council additionally requests that officers continue to partner with Transport Scotland and Network Rail to ensure that if the opportunity arises prior to detail design, the bus station can be fully integrated within the footprint of the railway station. The Mover and Seconder of the Motion agreed to incorporate the Amendment into the Motion. Resolved: In accordance with the revised Motion. 8. UK City Net Zero Partnership Declaration There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (25/225) asking Perth and Kinross Council to sign the UK City Net Zero Partnership Declaration and become a part of a new vanguard of places committed to collective efforts for achieving carbon reduction savings in partnership with the private sector. The Declaration will be used as a platform to promote Perth and Kinross to investors. Resolved: (i) To agree to sign the UK City Net Zero Partnership Declaration and become a member of the group of local authorities supporting the declaration. (ii) To agree that Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning provides a further update on the progress at a future meeting of a relevant committee. Note: In terms of Standing Order 22.1, Councillors I James and F Smith requested that their dissent to the decision be recorded. 9. Committee Timetable of Meetings 2026/2027 It be agreed that the Timetable of Meetings 2026/2027 be deferred to the next meeting of Perth and Kinross Council on 29 October 2025.
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10. Appointments to Committees/Outside Bodies Resolved: 1. The updated guide to political balance on committees be noted. 2. Councillor Andy Chan be replaced by Councillor Bob Brawn on the Audit and Committee. 3. Councillor Bob Brawn be appointed Vice-Convener of the Audit and Risk Committee. 4. Councillor Andy Chan be replaced by Councillor Keith Allan on the Finance and Resources Committee. 5. Councillor Andy Chan be replaced by Councillor Neil Freshwater on the Licensing Committee. 6. Councillor Andy Chan be replaced by Councillor John Duff on the Property Sub-Committee. 7. Councillors Colin Stewart (Vice-Chair), Michelle Frampton, David Illingworth and Sheila McCole be re-appointed to the Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board. 11. Senior Councillor Remuneration Resolved: The change to Senior Councillor remuneration 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. 13. Statement by Council Leader on Pullar House Councillor G Laing provided an update on the Council’s decision to purchase Pullar House and the adjoining Kinnoull Street multi-storey car park, following the resolution passed on 4 September 2024. The acquisition, effective from 11 September 2025 is part of the Perth City Integrated Investment Proposal and is expected to generate annual savings of £1.8 million. Pullar House will host co- located public sector agencies, enhancing collaboration and helping cover revenue and capital costs. Seven employees from Smart Parking and Robertsons will transfer to the Council as part of the car park’s operational transition. Final purchase details are being completed, with full update to be presented at the Finance and Resources Committee on 1 October 2025.
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14. Valedictory – Stephen Crawford, Strategic Lead – Property Services The Provost, Bailie A Bailey, and Councillors G Laing, J Duff and L Barrett passed on their best wishes on behalf of all elected members to Stephen Crawford , Strategic Lead – Property Services who was retiring from the Council at the end of September following working for a number of years with the Council.