Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Departure of key figures paves way for change at councils
WITH next week’s local authority elections now looming large on the horizon, the Tele has been taking a look at the key areas we cover — and how they could end up.
Today, it’s the turn of Perth and Kinross, and Fife.
One thing that is coming across loud and clear is that both constituencies are going to see some significant changes after the regions go to the polls on May 4.
In Perth and Kinross, 15 of the existing 41 councillors have decided not to stand again, while in Fife, 23 serving elected members have decided to bow out.
A total of 86 candidates will fight for seats in the 12 local wards in Perth and Kinross,
Among those deciding to retire are some very experienced councillors.
These include Provost Liz Grant, leader of the council Ian Miller, and depute leader of the council Alan Grant.
Those elected to the wards in Perth will certainly have exciting times ahead as the city is undergoing several major changes. Liz Grant and Kay Morrison are both stepping down from their positions. £113 million new Tay crossing bypassing Scone.
In Fife Council, there will also be key changes — with almost a third of standing councillors not up for reelection. A total of 178 candidates will contest 75 seats in 22 wards across the kingdom.
Many of those stepping down have occupied high-profile roles over the years, including Depute Provost Kay Morrison, former provost Frances Melville, education spokesman Bryan Poole and Cowdenbeath area chairman Mark Hood.
Boundary changes in Fife have resulted in the creation of the newlyrenamed Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty ward, created at the expense
Key among those is the imminent opening of the newly-refurbished Perth Theatre and the transformation of Mill Street as the heart of the city’s cultural quarter.
The regeneration projects come as Perth aims for the accolade of being named City of Culture 2021.
The new administration on the council will oversee many projects that are already in place, including the A9/A85 junction improvement and link road to Bertha Park, which will open up huge swathes of land for thousands of houses and new businesses.
There will also be the construction of the new Bertha Park High School on the outskirts of Perth and the of The Lochs ward, which has now been consigned to history.
The changes mean there are now nine four-member wards and 13 three-member wards in play for 2017 — as opposed to the nine four-member wards and 14 three-member wards previously used.
Key concerns in Fife include an acute demand for new and affordable housing in St Andrews.
But there is an equally pressing need for protection of the historic town centre from the impacts of development.
St Andrews’ history, its reputation as the home of golf, its ancient university and stunning beaches make the town a magnet for tourists and — therefore — a key component of Fife’s tourist economy.
With the amount of change going on across the water in Dundee, the outcome of the vote in Fife Council’s Tay Bridgehead ward could well be one to watch out for.
Improving transport links, housing and policing in the area will probably help decide how people vote.
The changing nature of Dundee’s Waterfront just across the Tay will no doubt have an effect on towns and villages in the north of Fife and play an important part in how residents decide to vote.
Tomorrow, we focus on the Strathmartine and Lochee wards.