I have been rather busy lately moving house, thankfully normal service has now been resumed.
The council agreed to make money available in their budget for participatory budgeting in Perth and Kinross. The money is to be used to support local projects which help tackle climate change and the cost of living. Around £40K of that money is available for the Strathtay ward. PKC are looking to bring together a small number of community representatives from the Strathtay Ward to help us in four main ways:
1. Encourage local groups to submit proposals.
2. Help to screen the projects before they go out to public vote, to ensure they fit local criteria.
3. Help to raise awareness and encourage people to vote (voting will be online)
4. Help to organise a community event to celebrate local projects, provide a last chance to vote and ultimately announce which projects are receiving funds.
If you think that you could help on this panel, then please get in touch.
The Community Investment fund was another recent success. Some of the successful recipients were Bertha Park Community Youth work, Community Wellness in Dunkeld and Birnam, a Young Archaeologist club and my personal favourite which was for a first responder service in Dunkeld and Birnam. The fund was oversubscribed again this year but most applicants received something.
I don’t have regular surgeries, I prefer to react as required. If you have an issue that you would like to discuss then please feel free to call me on 07557815546 or email me: ijames@pkc.gov.uk.

Ian James