The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Major challenges’ for local authority, claims outgoing council chief
economy: Extent of financial pressures revealed in corporate plan
The council’s outgoing chief has admitted the local authority faces “economic constraints” and a “rising demand” from a higher proportion of elderly residents.
Bernadette Malone, Perth and Kinross Council’s chief executive, has delivered what could be her final statement for the council regarding its corporate plan for 2018-2022, and revealed that the local authority faces “major challenges” ahead.
Her corporate plan report outlines the council’s vision for Perth and Kinross and states that moves are afoot to put more resources and decision making under the control of local communities, through initiatives like participatory budgeting.
Ms Malone also alludes to the financial pressures facing Perth and Kinross Council, which recently confirmed it will have to make £40 million of savings in three years.
She said: “Since we published our last corporate plan in 2013, the landscape for local public services has transformed radically and we continue to work within a climate of global economic uncertainty.
“Economic constraints mean public finances continue to be tight and long-term financial trends are hard to predict.
“We also face rising demand from an increasing population, with a higher proportion of elderly residents.”
And the council chief executive, who will retire from her post in July, concedes the local authority faces “major challenges” due to a range of factors.
“The area’s dependency on tourism, agriculture and hospitality means low wages – our levels are 9% below the Scottish average,” she added.
“We are aware of significant in-work poverty and rural poverty across the area and social isolation in rural areas means transport and digital connectivity are vital.”
The council’s corporate plan states the local authority will roll out a series of measures to address issues, including expanding early learning and childcare to deliver 1,140 hours of childcare per year to pre-school children.
Council bosses also state they will continue to be “pro-active” in approaches to the recruitment and retention of teaching staff. And in a bid to try to solve local economic problems, the authority is proposing to help the rural economy through enterprise growth support and the development of “innovative” approaches including links with organisations such as local universities.
Ms Malone also confirmed that Business Gateway will grow its existing programme to support 240 businesses to start up each year in Perth and Kinross.