City council leaders defend hotel group’s £1 office contract

Jane passed her enthusiasm for the sport on to her daughter, Tila.

Tila said: “Over the years I have played netball for Fintry Primary, Ellon, Scotstoun in Glasgow and I am now a member of Biggar Netball Club.

“It is no exaggeration that my mum has introduced hundreds of girls and women to the sport of netball.

“All those clubs she founded are still going strong and achieving great things. They owe it all to my mum.”

OUTGOING leader Murray Lyle has defended the decision to hand over the former Perth and Kinross Council building to developers as a “great opportunity for Perth”.

And the lead for the regeneration of the city centre says the investment should be applauded.

The building at 1-5 High Street which housed the courtroom and civic offices – will be transformed into a luxury hotel.

In the week before the election, councillors voted to hand the historic building to a developer for £1. The decision – made behind closed doors – sparked outcry in many quarters.

The local authority agreed to enter into a lease agreement with Henley Homes who will transform the building into a high-end boutique hotel for Rogue City Hotels, a partnership between its chief executive Nassar Khalil and Henley Homes.

It owns and operates Dunalastair Hotel Suites in Kinloch Rannoch.

The developer will have the option to buy the Perth building once work is completed.

Councillors agreed to grant £1.9 million to help restore the building to its former glory.

This week both former council leader Murray Lyle and Dawn Cotton Fuge – the lead for city centre regeneration on the Perth leadership forum – defended the decision.

Mr Lyle said: “It’s a great opportunity for Perth.

“The £1.9m is funded from savings from the annual upkeep of the building.

“The developers will restore the courthouse and old civic lounge.”

He rebuffed the idea to move council employees from Pullar House – reported to cost £2.5m a year – and bring back 1-5 High Street into use as offices.

The former Conservative leader said: “Moving offices to 1-5 High Street would certainly restrict us. There are more opportunities at Pullar House.

“We might let other public partners come in with us.

“It would cost an estimated £8m to refurbish 1-5 High Street.

“In my view it was an obvious decision. The building has been lying empty for years.”

The Weavers netball team.