Strategy

Focused on delivering economic resilience and long-term growth through innovation and sustainability, Perth & Kinross’s strategy for the future has started now with a £300 million City Deal that will leverage ongoing investment and exciting, long-term development potential.

As an area, Perth & Kinross has grown by 29.4% in the past ten years, generating £4,454 Billion GVA in 2022. In order to ensure this upward trend continues, a number of strategies have been devised, with the key aim of effecting long-term, meaningful change that will give rise to inclusive, sustainable, economic growth and positive human capital.

The Tay Cities Region (TCR) describes the area of East Central Scotland covered by the local authority areas of Perth & Kinross, Angus, Dundee and the north-east part of Fife. The region is home to almost 500,000 people, around 10% of Scotland’s population. 

The first Tay Cities Regional Economic Strategy and accompanying Tay Cities Deal Proposal were produced in 2017 and set out a regional strategy and more detailed proposals for programmes and projects in relation to a City Deal investment submission supporting economic growth in the region. 

This review of the Regional Economic Strategy has been developed to provide an update on the statistical analysis underpinning the economic challenges and the national and strategic context. It also reflects current thinking on regional focus and priorities, aligns with the Tay Cities Deal Heads of Terms Agreement and reflects the new governance arrangements for delivery of the strategy.

The third edition of the Perth City Plan was released in 2019 when it set out an agenda for action through to 2040. Produced by the Perth City Development Board (PCDB), a private sector-led partnership that brought together leaders from business, civil society and the public sector, Perth City Plan 3 calls for businesses, communities, civil society and public sector bodies to work together to achieve positive growth.

This ambitious agenda for change follows a framework for action based on six key themes: placemaking, sustainability, connectivity, the city centre, enterprise and inclusion.

The Perthshire Tourism Action Plan was developed in response, and as a contribution to, wider national and regional tourism objectives and aligned to the new National Tourism Strategy “Scotland Outlook 2030”, the Tay Cities Regional Tourism Strategy 2019-2024 and in contribution to the Perth and Kinross Community Plan and Perth City Plan 2020-2040.

The plan contained priority actions to support and reflect these higher level objectives, while comprising local priorities, providing a road map for the tourism industry in the Perth and Kinross area.

Our Vision | Perthshire will be a leading sustainable destination in Scotland.

Our Mission | Together we will grow the value and positively enhance the benefits of tourism across Perthshire by delivering the best for our environment, our visitors, our businesses, and our communities.

The Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan was adopted by Perth & Kinross Council in December 2021 and sets out the initial route map to a net zero carbon, and climate resilient, Perth and Kinross. 

Six overarching principles have been developed that will shape our long-term approach to Climate Change:

• Achieving Net Zero aligned with the Paris Agreement and the Scottish Government Targets, with the ambition of achieving them sooner

• Building a more resilient Perth and Kinross

• Ensuring climate action is fair and benefits all and we deliver a green recovery to Covid-19

• Enhancing biodiversity to help avoid an ecological emergency

• Engaging and empowering children and young people to take action on climate change

• Empowering our communities and businesses to take climate action in line with the Perth and Kinross Offer

The Perth Transport Futures Project is a major infrastructure upgrade programme to improve the road network around the city. The project will address the long-term transportation needs of the area, promote economic growth and address issues of congestion and pollution within the city centre.

Led by Perth & Kinross Council, the project is being delivered across four key phases.

• The A9/A85 Junction Improvement and Link Road to Bertha Park was completed in 2019.
• The Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR) is currently underway with a due completion date of 2025.
• The Bertha Park North Link is currently under consideration by the Council through the Capital Budget process.
• Phase four of Perth Transport Futures will focus on traffic management measures within the city centre.