Labour group set out the priorities
The Perth and Kinross Labour Party group has set out its stall ahead of the local authority elections on May 4.
The seven-strong team includes two current councillors – Perth City North’s Callum Gillies and Perth City South’s Alistair Munro – and five fresh faces.
The party currently has four representatives on Perth and Kinross Council, with councillors Gillies and Munro joined by Perth City North’s John Flynn and Perth City Centre’s Archie MacLellan. Both Councillor Flynn and Councillor MacLellan – the party’s group leader within the local authority – are retiring in May.
Former teacher Tricia Duncan, chairperson of Perth and Kinross Labour Party and a candidate for the Perth City Centre ward, said: “We have a mix of candidates with different backgrounds and experience and, with our hard work and determination, I expect that we will see an increase in the number of Labour councillors come May.
“The present Labour group in opposition has managed many achievements during their term of office. They have a strong record of working at grass roots level in their communities to ensure that they take action on behalf of their constituents. Their reputation as community politicians who know their area and work hard to listen to the people is widely recognised and has led in the past to their re-election. Scottish Labour candidate for Perth City Centre, Tricia Duncan, being welcomed by Councillor Archie MacLellan
“Our candidates will be campaigning on education and will continue to oppose locally and nationally SNP cuts to council budgets and education.
“In addition, we will stand up and fight to improve services in health and social care - with care for the elderly high on Labour’s agenda.”
Councillor MacLellan said: “I have known Tricia for many years and was delighted when she was selected to contest Ward 12 in the forthcoming council elections.
“Her work for the Scottish Labour Party in Perth and Kinross has demonstrated commitment and dedication to the needs of the under privileged in society and these attributes will stand her in good stead on election as a councillor.”
In addition to Ms Duncan, the party’s other candidates are as follows: Alisdair Bailey (Carse of Gowrie); Frank Stevenson (Strathtay); Fhinan Beyts (Strathallan); David MacKenzie (Kinross-shire); Cllr Alistair Munro (Perth City South); Cllr Callum Gillies (Perth City North).