NEW YEAR MESSAGES

Blairgowrie shouldn’t become commuter town

Looking back on the year past and forwards to 2018 is always a good time to put things into perspective, see what went well and importantly, draw up the list of challenges for the future. I would like to start by thanking everyone locally who supported me at the elections in May.

2017 has once again been a year when the town has seen an array of fantastic community events brought to you by the hardworking teams of local volunteers.

I think the Christmas lights this year are the best they have been and the addition of a Christmas tree in the Wellmeadow is lovely. The fireworks event in Davie Park in November – entirely funded by local donations and business support - was spectacular and down to the determination of the community council and Morag Young in particular.

In the glens, I really enjoyed presenting trophies at the Strathardle Gathering – an annual highlight in the calendar and a great day brought together by local volunteers with financial support from businesses and individuals. Blair in Bloom and the Mount Blair and Blairgowrie and Rattray community councils continue to work hard on behalf of the local community and I greatly value their support and indeed their challenge to ensure issues are tackled.

One of the absolute highlights of 2017 was joining my eight-year-old son and bus-loads of rugby fans on the big day out to Murrayfield to watch Blairgowrie take on Portobello. A great family day out and everyone was so proud of the team and their achievements. Well done Blair RFC.

Looking at local issues this year – parking and infrastructure pressures in the town centre; the decision to grant planning permission at Blackthorn Place and at Glenalmond Road – I opposed both on the basis of over-development and the likely traffic issues arising from them need to be addressed. I also remain concerned at the impact of the LDP2 on the community as hundreds of new homes are built with the resulting pressure on the local roads network, health care and other provisions.

These challenges have been heading our way for some time and whilst much of the new building will be done over several years it will be very important that the council works alongside developers and public bodies such as the NHS to reduce the negative impact and accentuate the positive.

There have been some significant changes in the town with Castle Water continuing to expand locally. I arranged for the chief executive and senior officers from PKC to meet with local businesses who are major employers to ensure that there is good communication between the two.

It is so important that Blairgowrie and Glens does not become just a commuter town but continues to attract jobs and investment so that local people can live and work in the town. It is important that we ensure our high street and retail areas are allowed to develop to meet the needs of the growing community and we create the conditions for businesses to grow.

If I had a New Year wish it would be that the wheels of local government council turn a little quicker. 11 years as a councillor and I continue to be frustrated at the length of time it can take to get things done.

I wish all a happy and peaceful 2018.