COUNCILLOR ILLINGWORTH

I was delighted and humbled to have been elected as one of your councillors for the Almond and Earn Ward of Perth and Kinross Council and to be part of the Conservative led Administration of Perth and Kinross Council. I would like to thank not just the voters who voted for Kathleen Baird and me, but everyone who took part in the democratic process, be they voters, activists or candidates for all the parties involved.  Which ever way you voted, I will always seek to represent everyone in Almond and Earn.

It’s a really steep learning curve for me to learn what’s required to be an effective councillor and I still have a lot to learn about how the council works and what I can do to help make Perth and Kinross a better place to live. The total annual budget is £433m per year and over 5000 people work there, so it is a huge responsibility. It’s great to have the help of Councillor Kathleen Baird’s experience to do this job.  I will strive to repay the trust that has been given to me and I will never forget how hard people work to pay their Council Tax.  

My work has already started on the 4 committees I serve on: Housing and Community Safety; Scrutiny; Audit and Licensing Committee.  The Housing and Community Safety Committee reviews and decides on housing policy for the council and listens to reports from the Fire and Police services.  The Scrutiny and Audit committees are all about the nuts and bolts of how the Council operates and whether or not it is delivering best value.  The Licensing Committee decides on whether or not to grant licenses for a number of different purposes, but it is actually nothing to do with Alcohol Licensing.  I’m also a trustee on Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust. This has also involved some very interesting work on an archaeological dig on Castle Law Hill Fort, near Abernethy.

If there’s any matter you think I can help you with then, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below.  Some people have said to me “I don’t want to bend your ear…”, but my job is first and foremost to listen to your concerns and look for solutions.  Councillors do not have magic wands and I don’t want to make any promises I can’t keep, but like the Scout Promise says “I Will Do My Best”.

Thank you

Councillor David Illingworth.

Email: dillingworth@pkc.gov.uk

Phone: 07767 006275

COUNCILLOR BAIRD

The village is looking  good; a big thank you to Abernethy In Bloom and all the volunteers who have helped with watering weeding and planting. I feel guilty driving past those who are working in Nurse Peattie’s  Garden, one day I will make time to help. I enjoyed visiting the gardens at the Garden Open day, all different. The village was busy with visitors coming from all parts of Scotland and some further afield, some were taking part in the Wee Big Dig  and some were doing both. Lots of cups of teas served on the day. Well done to everyone involved.

On July 17th I had the honour of visiting Mrs C Newman on her 100th Birthday, presenting her with flowers from Perth & Kinross Council; church bells rang and a piper played in front of her house. She also received flowers from the Church and Abernethy Community Council. Celebrations continued with a family party at home.

P & K Council has new administration in place 17 Conservative Councillors in partnership with four Liberal , three Independent and one labour councillor.   

I am a member of Lifelong Learning Committee, Tayside Contracts, Perth & Kinross Sports Council and recently appointed convenor of Licensing Board.

Tayside Contracts  is a Joint committee  comprising councillors from Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross. Tayside contracts is responsible for a wide range of services including road maintenance, winter maintenance, school catering and facilities management.

PKC have an additional £500K to spend on roads and will now repair potholes at the national standard of 40mm, which is good news.

Lack of parking in the village continues to be a problem, I am working with the council to try and resolve some of the issues, a reminder that the school car park is available outwith school hours.

Public transport or lack of it is an issue; a new late night bus service on Friday & Saturday leaving  Perth at 11.30am, Abernethy 11.58pm and then on to Kinross, started 28th July and will run to the end of March. I think this is the latest bus we have ever had. Hope this service will be beneficial to those who want a night out in Perth. This is a trial and I do hope the bus will be used.

Community Action Partnership continues to meet and in the coming weeks we will be discussing how best to use funds available.  More information in the next edition.     

Please feel free to contact me either by email kathleenbaird @pkc.gov.uk or call 01738475086 mobile 07584206839