Council could push to expand grant scheme
Cash from firms’projects may benefit other areas
House-builders could to be encouraged to contribute to a pot of cash to benefit communities after councillors hailed a grant-giving scheme in Auchterarder.
Elected members at Wednesday’s environment and infrastructure meeting agreed a report on the Lang Toon’s Community Facilities Fund, which sees developers contribute towards the impact of growth on the town.
Since November 2016, developers Muir Homes, Robertson Homes and Stewart Milne Homes contributed £1000 per house sold in Auchterarder to the community fund to combat the extra pressure on public services caused by their properties.
So far, Perth and Kinross Council have received £155,000 from the three firms, and this will rise to £600,000 by November 2022.
The committee agreed the report which has seen £50,000 from the fund spent on the Lang Toon’s Provost’s Walk, with elected members keen to see towns and villages in their own wards benefit from similar funds.
Strathearn SNP councillor Stewart Donaldson asked why the Auchterarder fund was the only one in operation within Perth and Kinross. An official confirmed: “At the moment, it [the fund] is in this form.
“Contributions are received from developers elsewhere, but this fund is different.
“The Auchterarder masterplan, which was developed in the mid-2000s, took into account a number of potential impacts of developments.
“As it was impossible to cost precisely, the council felt this was the best way to work. We are in the process of setting up another fund in the Stanley area.”
Cllr Donaldson emphasised that Auchterarder and Stanley would not be the only places that could benefit from such a project.
He added: “Scone, Kinross and Crieff, which is expected to have approximately 500 new houses, excluding social houses, in the next five years, would all benefit.”
Council officers explained that, for legal reasons, the fund could not address existing deficits in services, but only fund service deficits caused directly by the development in questions.
This poured cold water on a request by Cllr Anne Jarvis for the money to be used more broadly.
Kinross-shire elected member Willie Robertson joined in the enthusiasm for the prospect of a fund.
He said: “I think all areas should have access to a fund like this.
“All developments can have adverse effects, something [committee vice-convener and fellow Kinross-shire member] Provost Walk in Auchterarder has benefited from a grant
councillor Callum Purves and I know.
“We should look at this for all council wards.”
It was explained that community facilities funds only work in certain circumstances.
If the money isn’t spent in a set period of time – usually five or 10 years – it is to be handed back to the developer.
The chamber also heard that
it could be difficult to apply an Auchterarder-inspired arrangement across the region.
SNP group leader councillor Dave Doogan added to the praise of the concept.
He told convener councillor Colin Stewart: “My colleague Willie Robertson is, as usual, absolutely right.
“From Blairgowrie to Scone, to name just two places, there are many places which would benefit. There always seems to be a negative reaction to developments and this could offer significant opportunities elsewhere.”
Vice-convener Cllr Purves confirmed that he and Cllr Stewart would look further into the funding.
The report was agreed unanimously.
There always seems to be a negative reaction to developments, this could offer opportunities