FROM OOR COONCILLOR

Councillor Baird

Have I, in the last few months been able to resolve some of the issues which have been raised by you? I will leave that to you.

Last year at this time parents of Perth High School pupils and members of the public were concerned that they were sharing the 8 05 am bus to Perth and there was not a service bus until after 10am. I am pleased that this issue, for the time being has been resolved. Perth High School Pupils have their own buses and there is a service bus at 8.15am  and an hourly service throughout the day. These are commercial bus routes and if you don’t use them you will lose them! An additional late night bus leaves Perth at 11.30 pm Perth on Friday and Saturday arriving Abernethy at midnight.

An issue I have mentioned in a previous edition of the Crier was the need for an Abernethy Community Transport Scheme. I am pleased that this is moving forward, a public meeting was held last month and we now know that there is a need but we request your help to take this forward. Volunteer drivers are needed and a co–ordinator to take the calls and contact the drivers would be great. Initially the service will take clients to Newburgh, Bridge of Earn, Perth and Ninewells Hospital.

Parking is another issue or lack of parking particularly in the Main St. I have spoken to Council officers and there is no solution which would please all residents. Yellow lines are not the answer. Post Office van requires a place where WIFI is available, it is hoped to have a designated parking space available for this vital service for the village.

 Perth & Kinross Council has improved the lock up area above the Williamson Hall which is now looking very tidy and a much more desirable place to park, it has been suggested that some lightning would be beneficial. The Council has also looked at the lack of parking at Hall park, I am hopeful that in 2018 there may be  some additional parking in this area. Tenants and residents will be consulted.

Overgrown verges continue to feature in my “inbox” I was pleased  to see that the council has cut  the roadside from Aberargie to the Fife border; can I remind landowners that they have a responsibility to cut back overhanging branches and hedges. Children use this route to walk and cycle to school.

 Looking to the future, Almond and Earn Action partnership have some funding, groups and organisations will be invited to bid for funding early 2018.  Information will be available soon. Funding will be allocated by the end of March.

Another year is drawing to a close and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those in the village who volunteer with uniformed organisations, sport groups,  Parent Council, Williamson Hall Committee, Pavilion, Abernethy in Bloom and Community Council and to all those who quietly help others within the village. Together we can all work together to make Abernethy, Aberargie and Dron a Better Place to Work Live and Play.

I do not hold regular surgeries, but am but happy to meet constituents at any reasonable time.

kathleenbaird@pkc.gov.uk  call07584206839