Perth and Kinross Council

The committee considered the disposal of the vacant part of the Navigate building/garage area to support the approved hotel development linked to Lock Terrace Limited. Members debated whether the asset should be marketed openly to achieve best value under common good duties, the adequacy of the valuation, access/right-of-way constraints, and the cost of physically separating the building from adjoining subjects. The motion to sell was ultimately agreed, and a proposed amendment to defer for open-market sale was ruled incompetent.

The meeting considered two planning appeals. The first sought permission for two dwelling houses on backland land in Octarard and was refused due to overdevelopment, harm to amenity, and concerns about vehicle movements on a narrow access. The second was a retrospective application for fences and gates at the Old Rectory in Invergawrie and was also refused because the works harmed the setting of listed buildings and created visual clutter. No procurement decisions were made, but the transcript contains clear planning policy and development control outcomes.

The meeting’s main procurement-related themes were the proposed short-term let control area for Highland Perth and the northern part of the eastern housing market area, including planning resources, fees, and monitoring arrangements; a new responsible busking code of conduct for Perth city centre, including enforcement and non-licensing delivery; and a governance change to roll out additional area committees, alongside clarification updates to standing orders and committee appointments.

The meeting focused on two major procurement-related themes: the future operating model and funding for library services, and the statutory consultation on a proposed visitor levy for Perth and Kinross. Members discussed transformation of libraries into community hubs, the need for recurring revenue support, partnership working, and potential use of council estates and external funding. The visitor levy debate centred on consultation design, fixed-rate options, exemptions, VAT treatment, administrative arrangements, economic impact modelling, and how revenues would be ring-fenced for tourism and community impacts. The council approved both reports at this stage, with the visitor levy proceeding only to consultation.

The committee considered an update on short-term let licensing, focusing on compliance activity, enforcement against unlicensed properties, and a decision to keep fees unchanged for the first renewal cycle while maintaining full cost recovery. It then heard a major environmental health case seeking revocation of a caravan site licence at Burnbank Park, due to repeated breaches, failed enforcement notices, and concerns that the operator was no longer fit and proper to hold the licence. The discussion also covered resident protection, interim management, and the council’s ability to recover enforcement costs.

The meeting focused on two major planning decisions with clear procurement and delivery implications: a council-led affordable housing expansion at Balonluig and a proposed gypsy/traveller transit site at Eye Place. Members discussed drainage, surface water and flood mitigation measures, consultation with residents and working groups, and the need for infrastructure and site management controls. A proposal application notice for residential development at Dun Taylor Avenue also raised construction-phase issues around tree protection, runoff and traffic management.