Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has urged Perth and Kinross Council to better engage with local residents as they seek consensus over how to spend £383,000 of Scottish Government funding.
 
Mr Swinney’s intervention comes after multiple constituents have contacted him to express concerns at the lack of consultation with the local community over how to allocate the funding, which was awarded as part of the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund.
  
Accordingly, Mr Swinney has written to Karen Reid, Chief Executive of Perth and Kinross Council, to emphasise the need for a meaningful dialogue with residents of Pitlochry in order to ensure the money is spent in a beneficial way. 
 
Commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“The Scottish Government has allocated a very significant amount of funding to Pitlochry, and this is hugely welcome news.
 
“However, I am concerned that this funding may not be used in the most effective way due to a lack of consultation between the council and local residents.
 
“It is vital that the final project enjoys wide support, and that it draws from the views of a broad cross-section of the local community. Accordingly, I urge Perth and Kinross Council to engage in constructive dialogue with local stakeholders to ensure that this money is put to the best use possible.”