Council bids for funding

Jun 23 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTH and Kinross Council has submitted a bid for a near-£3 million slice of a one-off £60 million Scotland-wide Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

If successful, it would be used to carry out a range of projects in Perth town centre and Coupar Angus.

Council officials will get a response from the Scottish Government by the end of July. And, if successful, the following schemes would be undertaken in the Fair City:

Refurbishment of St John’s Kirk as a cultural, educational and religious and tourist venue.

Refurbishment of the Fair Maid’s House as a cultural, educational and tourist venue.

Refurbishment of the High Street, using natural materials.

Perth Theatre – funding for fees to finalise designs and secure partnership funding.

Re-instatement of the boundary railings in Atholl Crescent.

Some of the cash would also be used to refurbish the streetscape at The Cross, Coupar Angus, using natural materials.

In a report to a meeting of the full council tomorrow afternoon, Jim Irons, executive director (environment), states: “Should the bid prove successful, it has the potential to drive forward projects that will create a lasting legacy in Perth, contribute towards the Perth 800 celebrations and contribute towards future city status.”

The council agreed to act as lead applicants for the Perth and Coupar Angus projects.

The schemes have a total value of £19,414,280 and the local authority is seeking financial assistance of £2,979,637.

Mr Irons notes in his report: “Consultation has already been undertaken with the Perth city centre retail community on current proposals for the High Street, involving improvements to the sub-structure and subsequent re-laying of existing streetscape.

“The council has already agreed to suspend work to the street during the Christmas period to minimise disruption and impact on businesses. The majority of retailers were supportive of these current proposals on this basis.”

The proposals in the bid document involve an extended scheme, encompassing resurfacing to match the quality of that in St John Street and includes additional sections of the High Street – at its east and west ends.

It is anticipated that the extended scheme wouldn’t be completed until October, 2010.

The director emphasises in his report: “While it is anticipated that the extended High Street scheme would have greater economic impact and further reduce maintenance in the longer term, it clearly will cause greater disruption, which may prove unpopular with some retailers.”

Mr Irons is recommending that further consultations take place with city centre retailers and event organisers of Perth 800 on the High Street scheme, improvements to John’s Kirk and the Fair Maid’s House to determine how best to programme the works during 2010.

The potential impact on the economy and the Perth 800 celebrations would be high on the agenda.

Council leader, Councillor Ian Miller welcomed the bid.

He said yesterday: “These are important projects for Coupar Angus and Perth, with major, lasting benefits for the local economy, culture and environment.

“It is vital that we drive forward these improvements for the long-term good of the area and the council is pleased to lead this bid to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund whch I hope will be successful.

“The opportunity exists for other organisations in the area to submit bids by August for remaining funding and the council would welcome the opportunity of supporting other potential partners in the area making bids for eligible projects.”