Outgoing leader hails legacy

The leader of Perth and Kinross Council, Ian Miller, believes the outgoing SNP administration will leave behind a legacy to be proud of.

Not seeking re-election after 22 years of public service, Councillor Miller also gave some advice to whoever makes up the next council administration.

“In my view it is essential for any administration to plan ahead by setting its priorities and having clear and achievable objectives,” he said.

“At the start of the administration we began by setting out our vision, aims and values.

“Our vision is of a confident and ambitious Perth and Kinross to which everyone can contribute and in which all can share, create and sustain vibrant, safe, healthy and inclusive communities in which people are respected, and where learning and enterprise are supported.”

Mr Miller said that he felt they had been successful across a number of different areas.

“Some of the most visible of these being our support for local business and jobs which has given us one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country,” he said.

“The cultural strategy, which is allied to our events and tourism strategies, is making Perth and Kinross one of the top tourist and visitor attractions in the country. Our huge investment in new schools across our area, the programme of building new council houses, as well as dramatically improving the condition of our existing stock.

“Also, our bid for UK City of Culture 2021 would not have been viable without the investment made in Perth Theatre, Perth Museum and Art Gallery, City Hall, St Paul’s etc.

“Our joint bid for a Cities Deal with our partners in Dundee, Angus and North East Fife has the potential to be a real game-changer for the Tayside economy.

“I believe that this shows an administration that has been proactive in developing new ideas and initiatives all of which provide a firm foundation for future councils to work from.

“I very much hope that the newlyelected council will embrace and proceed with the current plans that we have in place which will help make the local Perth and Kinross economy more prosperous and, in turn, will assist the Scottish economy in becoming a world leader.”