Extra cash needed for Perth 2021 campaign

Council wants duo to spearhead the cultural drive

More than £400,000 could be spent on Perth’s bid for the City of Culture crown.

Councillors already set aside £250,000 to launch the campaign at a historic meeting last year.

Now they will be asked to approve extra funding of £150,000.

The money will be partly used to employ two people to help spearhead the Perth2021 campaign and work on securing external financial support.

More details of the bid and how it will be funded will be revealed at the next full meeting of Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday.

Enterprise and infrastruture convener John Kellas has insisted that, win or not, the money will be well spent.

“Closer examination of the scale of the opportunity has shown that the best way to ensure that Perth and the whole of Perth and Kinross derives the maximum benefit is by ensuring we have the capability and expertise to take the bid forward,” he said.

“This is singularly important as we identify there is long-term opportunity for all our businesses.

“There is also a substantial opportunity to showcase Perth and its cultural offer to the rest of the world.”

Mr Kellas added: “Should the bid be unsuccessful there will remain an infrastructure, legacy and focus that will benefit many future generations who will reflect that this was a pivotal point in our history.”

The council is still waiting for the UK Department for Culture to announce its criteria for submissions.

In a report Fiona Robertson, the local authority’s head of culture, said Perth hopes to finalise its bid by April, next year.

She said: “The experience of other cities who have bid for UK City of Culture demonstrates the benefits of competing for the title.”

This is singularly important. JOHN KELLAS

Picture: Perthshire Picture Agency. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers performing outside City Hall at the launch of Perth’s bid in August.