Shining a light on Perth’s talent

I was in Perth on Monday at a Carers’Conference.

A number of our hardworking local photographers were there and we chatted about the series of very busy weekends they have had of late, capturing the many events that have taken place in the city.

Starting with Halloween, working through the Christmas Light switch-on and the events around St Andrew’s Day, there has been an action packed programme of events in the city.

These have of course been complemented by other initiatives with Christmas light switch-on events in many other communities.

I would like to say some words of hearty thanks to the people who have been involved in making these events happen. Encouraged by the Provost of Perth and Kinross, Councillor Liz Grant, a small team of people have worked extremely hard to put together a range of different events that have attracted many people to Perth and have created a very positive impression of our City.

I have to say I was amazed by the excitement and energy put in to the Hallowe’en celebrations. The costumes were not the most soothing but it all generated a great crowd and many people were involved in the activities.

The switching on of the Christmas lights, coupled to the launch of the cultural events as part of the City of Culture bid, demonstrated how the City can engage its own population and people from further afield to generate a vibrant atmosphere.

And the celebrations around St Andrew’s Day created another series of well supported events to give people reasons to take part in the City’s activities.

This series of events over the last few weeks have been a tremendous illustration of the inherent strengths of our City and demonstrated the capacity to create a very positive image for the City. This builds on a range of achievements that Perth and Kinross Council have delivered to promote the City and to create wider economic opportunities for all. Enhanced parking facilities, assistance with business rates, strong promotional campaigns and a bold agenda to secure the location of the Stone of Destiny in Perth as a centrepiece to the tourist market are all part of an imaginative agenda to use city status to our advantage.

Coupled to the Tay Cities Deal, the council has mapped out a strong agenda for the future. I am very keen to see the momentum behind this series of initiatives maintained.

The great thing that has emerged about these activities over the winter has been how a broad range of individuals and organisations have been involved. It goes to show what can be achieved when we all put our shoulders to the wheel and create a strong agenda for our City. That was the purpose behind the meetings Pete Wishart MP and I had over the summer to gather together the city business community in common purpose.

I hope these efforts have helped in some small way to create the positive and optimistic climate that exists in Perth today.

And I am very grateful to Provost Liz Grant and her team who have achieved a great deal for the city in these recent weeks.