The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
CouncilElection2017
Perth City North
The Perth City North ward is densely populated, taking in the neighbourhoods of Letham, Tulloch, Double Dykes and Fairfield with a total population in excess of 17,000.
The ward has the largest population of the three city wards and accounts for around 36% of the city’s population.
The areas of the ward which are closer to the town centre mainly contain residential housing and the northern section of the ward contains industrial units.
The biggest current area of change is around Perth Crematorium where a new access is being created and a road linking to the A9/A85 junction improvement and a link road to Bertha Park are under construction.
The project has not been without controversy – most recently an outcry over the felling of 500 trees near the crematorium – but the work is seen as vital to opening up land beyond the A9 for future housing and industrial development.
The ward is also home to McDiarmid Park, St Johnstone FC’s ground.
Among the largest employers located within the ward are Scottish and Southern Energy plc, the Crieff Road Tesco and Sidey Ltd.
Perth College UHI also lies within the ward, providing courses for students from around the world.
Recently the ambitious multimillion-pound Academy of Sport and Wellbeing was opened in the college grounds.
While of benefit to all students on the campus, it is hoped that the £6 million project will also become a launchpad for the next generation of Scotland’s top athletes.
Since the last election, the number of councillors for the ward has been cut from four to three. Liberal Democrat candidate Phil Brown said while there were plans to spend millions of pounds on lighting up city centre buildings, other areas of Perth were being “neglected”.
“The council’s priorities need to change,” he said. “It should prioritise clearing graffiti and dog mess from residential areas and make Perth a better place to live for locals.
“I am passionate about improving the provision of services for local children.
“We need more affordable housing for local families and we also need to invest in education and update the ageing schools in Perth and Kinross.” Standing as an independent is Arthur A Frater, who describes himself as “your local candidate”.
“Have you had enough?” he says. “If the answer is yes then it’s time for a change. Vote for me – a voice for you. Vote for me and together we can fight for Perth.”
Mr Frater has already been involved in highlighting local issues, such as when rubbish left in the block where he lives in Perth was set alight. Along with other families, he was evacuated from his flat.
Mr Frater would campaign for more affordable housing and says he would be “a voice for carers, a voice for disabled people”. Conservative candidate Harry Coates says he would work to promote Perth as a place to do business.
“I live on the western edge and run a business in Perth city centre,” he said. “Perth is a growing and vibrant place to do both.
“Lots of people have concerns about empty shop fronts in the city centre. If elected, I will work to help find solutions to this issue.
“I will work to help ensure facilities and services are equally available and provided, in line with available funds, throughout Perth City North, as well as seeking to deal with other issues in the ward, such as parking and problems with the Lade.” Labour candidate Callum Gillies is a councillor in the ward. “I have had the honour of representing Ward 11 North Perth for a number of years and look to count on your support to do so again,” he said.
“As an elected member, I have attended all local forums and look forward to continuing support for our School Parent Councils and resident groups. I have always dealt with calls for assistance promptly and promise to continue to do so.
“I will continue to campaign for and support the safe routes for the school children of our area. I have been closely involved with the upgrade of Letham Neighbourhood Centre and Hub.” SNP candidate Dave Doogan has represented Perth City North since 2012. “I was born and raised in Perth and live here with my wife and two children,” he said.
“I am an aircraft engineer and worked for nearly 20 years for the Ministry of Defence. Following redundancy in 2007, I worked nights as a taxi driver while putting myself through university, graduating in 2011.
“As a senior councillor within the council administration, I have responsibility for housing and adult social care. When not working in the council, or within our communities, I am also a self-employed landscape gardener.” Standing as an independent is Elspeth Maclachlan.
“I have enjoyed my 10 years as a councillor for Perth City North and am committed to working for the local communities.
“I am particularly interested in promoting opportunities for children and young people. Child safety is important to me and I arranged for traffic surveys to be done to get improved road safety at the crossing to the Wallace Crescent play area.
“I have recently campaigned to get the stone paths in Perth Crematorium gardens replaced by paths that would allow wheelchair access to the gardens of remembrance.” Independent candidate Sam Finlayson says: “My priorities will be the priorities of the people of Letham and Tulloch.
“I live in the ward with my family. I struggle with the same problems that many of the parents in the ward face – be it keeping the kids active at the weekend or accessing the child health services when they are most needed.
“Many of the local provisions in our ward could be improved with a little common sense – providing safe play spaces for our children during the school holidays; ensuring there is a level of affordable childcare available to parents both during the holidays and after school.” SNP candidate John Rebbeck says: “As a selfemployed retail sales agent, I work with small retailers all across the east of Scotland and, if elected, I would bring my many years of experience to bear on economic development policy.
“My wife and I have lived in Perth’s western edge and Letham areas for almost 30 years. My wife was born and brought up in Letham and our two boys attend local schools. It has been my privilege to serve for seven years as chairperson of the parent council of my children’s local primary school in Letham.”
He also coaches youth football at Letham Community Sports Club.