‘Help our community celebrate coronation’
Politicians write to PKC
Local Conservative politicians have called on Perth and Kinross Council to support community celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith and Strathearn ward elected member Noah Khogali have both said they feel it’s “vital” that the local authority sets out any plans in advance of the landmark occasion in May.
The duo have also asked the council to use the Monday bank holiday associated with the Royal occasion as an opportunity to recognise those across Perth and Kinross who are involved in volunteering, and for the creation of a new award for volunteering designed around the coronation.
Councillor Khogali said: “This is a truly once in a generation event, and it is important that Perth and Kinross Council takes this opportunity to bring our communities together again, on an occasion that will live long in the memory.
“For Strathearn especially, we have close ties to the monarchy, and that must be respected.
“These kinds of events take a huge amount of organisation, and anything Perth and Kinross Council can do to make it easier for those volunteers giving up their time should be on the table.
“The bank holiday on the Monday is a perfect time to give thanks to those volunteers across Perth and Kinross that give so much to their communities, and get so little in return.
“They will never receive as much recognition as they truly deserve, but this is a perfect opportunity to go some way to giving them the spotlight.”
In their letter, which has been sent to PKC Provost Xander McDade, Cllr Khogali and Ms Smith state: “We are writing to you to request that Perth and Kinross Council commits to supporting community celebrations around the King’s coronation in May, as well as utilising the Monday bank holiday as an occasion on which to recognise and celebrate our incredible volunteers that exist across the 12 wards represented by the council.
“Strathearn especially is keenly aware of its links to the monarchy.
“In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II revived the title ‘The Earl of Strathearn’ for the first time since the 1940s and bestowed it upon Prince William, who is the future King.
“This is an occasion, similar to the Platinum Jubilee, on which our communities can come together in celebration, but it is important that the council enables that.
“Already, community councils are considering what they can do to celebrate, and are looking to Perth and Kinross Council to lead on that.
“Practical measures like enabling road closures, increased bin pick-ups or measures to ease the holding of street parties, could be hugely valuable, as well
as any potential funding routes that are available being publicised.”
The letter continues: “This once in a generation moment is a potential core memory for many of our young people, and we should be doing our utmost to mark this key historical moment with the reverence it deserves.”
In relation to the potential future creation of a new community volunteering award named and centred around the coronation, Cllr Khogali and Ms Smith go on to add in their letter: “Volunteers in our community are at the centre of so much that makes Perth and Kinross great, and this is the perfect occasion to recognise that.”