A Strong Economic Focus for Perth & Kinross Council 2025 Budget

Despite the costs of providing essential services continuing to rise, flexibility from a three-year Council Tax strategy and additional funding from the Scottish Government meant that Councillors were able to agree a budget for each of the next three years.

Prioritising services for the most vulnerable, business growth, protecting further public sector job cuts, and investing in community empowerment were at the heart of the budget promises, which agreed key investments as follows:

• Economic growth - £9 million over four years in the Commercial Property Investment Programme to make more units available for new and growing businesses, particularly in rural Perth and Kinross.
• Environmental initiatives - £200,000 to provide practical support to Bloom and biodiversity groups to accelerate the delivery of the biodiversity aims of our Grow Wild approach to greenspaces. And, another £200,000 to deliver a new round of the Green Living Fund for community projects.
• Public transport - almost £170,000 to extend the offer for free bus travel on the first Saturday of every month for another year, adding extra free travel for Clean Air Day in June and for an additional free Saturday in December in the peak Christmas shopping season. Plus, almost £70,000 for rural bus services and community transport initiatives.
• Tackling poverty - adding £2 million to target anti-poverty initiatives, including continuing school holiday food and fun activities, and investing in efforts to tackle poverty in rural areas.

• Protecting vital services for residents in the greatest need - the budget prioritises vulnerable residents, with almost £7 million to maintain health and social care services, plus £1 million over two years to support innovation and provide new models of delivering care in our communities.
• Protecting frontline jobs - no further job cuts are required as part of the budget decisions made today, with over £2 million being put back into Education and Learning to reverse proposed reductions in teacher numbers and £400,000 to prevent further cuts to teams supporting vulnerable children and families. Council officers are continuing to deliver on phase 2 of the leadership savings agreed last year.
• Empowering communities - the budget includes £1 million to support community resilience, £1 million for Culture Perth and Kinross services, and almost £150,000 in community sports.

Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, commented, "Ensuring we continue to invest in economic growth is a key priority of the Council and this budget has addressed growing concerns around commercial property availability. Our aim over the next four years is to create a better stock of commercial units, for new and growing businesses, particularly in rural Perth and Kinross.”

It was also agreed that the following funding pots and Business Investment support would continue for 2025/26. Details will follow in the April Bulletin.

• Green Capital Development Fund
• Beyond Scotland Market Development Fund
• Adapt Your Property Fund
• The Angel’s Share Programme

"Alongside this, we have guaranteed funding to continue the opportunities made possible by the Green Capital Development Fund, the Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant, and the Adapt Your Property Fund. Since their inception, a number of significant success stories have arisen as a result of these funds and we are keen to support the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in Perth & Kinross.”

"This budget also aims to tackle poverty head-on. We are investing in job creation and growth schemes, such as apprenticeships and rural employability programs, to provide more opportunities for our residents. Additionally, we are adding £2 million to our anti-poverty funding and allocating £600,000 to the Financial Insecurity Fund and Scottish Welfare Fund.

"With this ambitious budget, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the foundations for a resilient and thriving community. Together, we are building a brighter future for Perth and Kinross."

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