MP Doogan steps down
Dave Doogan MP has been praised by former colleagues after stepping down from his role as a councillor for Perth City North.
Mr Doogan has been a councillor at Perth and Kinross Council for eight years, and had previously served as the leader of the SNP opposition group from 2017 until 2019.
However, after becoming the MP for Angus at the general election in December, he confirmed his resignation from PKC on Wednesday.
Speaking at a meeting of the full council, he said: “To be elected to represent Perth City North was an immense honour and one which I give up today with a somewhat heavy heart.
“I have always applied myself fully to campaigning for the SNP since I left the MOD in 2007 and to be elected to the Perth and Kinross Council in 2012 as the highest placed new candidate and again in 2017 as the only SNP candidate to beat the Tories, is something, for good or ill, I am very proud of.
“Perth City North is an outstanding part of our city with many examples of community capacity working to improve outcomes for people living in the area.”
Mr Doogan praised the parent councils at the ward’s four schools, as well as a range of community organisations.
He added:“Like everywhere we have our challenges in Perth City North but there is so much more positive than negative in this diverse section of our city - it remains essentially vibrant and productive.”
During his speech he spoke of a number of projects that had started during his tenure as councillor, including redeveloping the former 208 pub into housing, expanding Letham Nursery, building a footbridge over the A9, redeveloping the social work office in Tulloch into housing, building a new £11 million Tulloch Primary School, renovating Perth Crematorium, building new housing at Cairns Crescent and Nimmo Avenue, transforming Letham housing office and investing in Letham Community Centre.
He added he was “delighted” to now represent the people of Angus at Westminster.
Up until his resignation this week, he sat on a number of council committees, such as the environment and infrastructure committee, licensing board, Perth common good fund committee, scrutiny committee and the strategic policy and resources committee.
Previously he served as chair of Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board from 2015 to 2017 and convener of the housing and health committee.
He also sat on a number of outside bodies such as COSLA, the JD Fergusson Arts Awards Trust, the Perth City Development Board, Tayside Contracts joint committee, and the Tayside Valuation Joint Board.
There was a rapturous round of applause in the chamber after Mr Doogan delivered his final speech.
Council leader Murray Lyle then stood up and said: “He will be sadly missed by his constituents and has been a champion of causes.
“On a personal note, I have always found him to be professional and courteous - well almost always.”
Cllr Duff then finished the remainder of Cllr Lyle’s farewell in Gaelic saying: “I am told we will miss your Gaelic speeches in this chamber.”
Independent Cllr Xander McDade congratulated him on his election as an MP and said that, while they were diametrically opposed politically in terms of the constitution, they had worked well together on issues such as addressing period poverty and free school meals.
Lib Dem leader Peter Barrett said it was important the UK and Scottish governments had expert and local authority experience in the chamber.
He added: “I am sure you will be looking for a shorter Westminster career but I hope it is a bit longer.”
No date for a by-election had been set as the PA went to press but it must be held within 90 days.