As far as strange years go, 2020 has to rank amongst the strangest in my life time!
After my horrendous start to 2019 and the ensuing time spent in hospital I didn’t think for one minute that I would be spending this year wearing a facemask when I went out to meet anyone, queueing outside a supermarket only to get inside and discover that the shelves had been emptied by previous panic buyers. Neither did I expect that my commute to work would only be from the kitchen to the office in my own home and all Council meetings would be conducted over the internet using “Microsoft Teams” or “Zoom”. The latter being an experience that can only be likened to a séance where everyone starts every sentence with, “Can you hear me?” “Is anyone there”? or everyone shouting, “We can’t hear you!” Roll on 2021.
Despite the new challenges, council business is being conducted as best as it can be. Planning permission for the Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR) was recently approved at the planning and development committee. This means that work can now progress on completing the route through Bertha Park across the River Tay and on to the A93 and A94 at Scone. A number of concerns  were raised such as re-routing of core footpaths, the loss of a small amount of ancient woodland and even at this late stage, the route that it was taking. In my opinion, the benefits far outweighed the detriments. This is more than just a road. It opens up development land for housing and employment, it will go some way to alleviating the air quality issues in Perth city centre and I believe that it will only be a good thing for Perth.
A couple of recent incidents in our area have highlighted a worrying trend in the growing number of dog thefts. Please look after your pets, there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there who think nothing of stealing your much loved family member for financial gain and goodness knows what else. Social media, a speedy response by our Police and an element of good luck  ensured that these dogs were found and returned to their owner. They were found in the Midlands which goes to show the lengths that these people will go to!!
You will have noticed that speed limits have been reduced throughout the area. This was as a result of additional funding to aid road safety mainly for the increase in pedestrians and cyclists during lockdown. It has been getting a mixed reaction but in general it is well received and has made our roads much safer for everyone. This includes the clearways that have been put in place to prevent inconsiderate and dangerous parking. Clunie Loch was one of the areas that suffered a great deal of damage and destruction during the Lockdown. Irresponsible parking was preventing local residents from going about their daily business and Tractors and emergency vehicles were unable to gain access to  properties. The large numbers of cars parked around the Loch brought unprecedented numbers of visitors, a percentage of whom proceeded to create havoc. Litter was dumped everywhere and trees and verges were damaged. Fires were lit and left unattended and human waste was evident at every point that these dirty campers had chosen to stop. It all made for a very unpleasant experience. The Council has a team in place to work with the local residents and businesses to put measures in place so that we don’t have the same experience next year.
On remembrance Sunday I laid a wreath at the Dunkeld and Birnam war memorial. Due to the Covid restrictions it was a very different and eerie experience this year. Although there were no official plans, I was surprised to see a further 4 people in attendance including a young Dad and his small child which was very heartening to see. No piper and no last post was played but my act of remembrance meant
no less. Not even Covid can stop respect. Lest we forget.
I hope that this horrible Covid blight doesn’t prevent us all from spending some quality family time together to reflect and to look forward to a Happy and “Normal” New year. With this crazy year almost completed, it only leaves me to wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas.

Councillor Ian James