Perth & Kinross Council

The Knife Angel’s arrival in Perth has been warmly welcomed. This breathtaking statue, standing at 8.2m tall (27 feet) and crafted from 100,000 seized weapons, has prompted visitors to deeply consider the impact of violence and aggressive behaviour on our local communities. We invite you to share your reflections. Everyone is welcome to contribute to our online book of reflections by visiting www.pkc.gov.uk/knifeangel. Alternatively, you can add your reflections in-person at the Cairncross Gallery in Perth Museum, Monday to Saturday 10am until 5pm and Sunday from 11am until 4pm. Reflections will be lodged with the British Ironwork Centre, the creator of the statue, and will be part of a national record of reflections from places the statue has visited. 

Today, 2 December, marks the official opening of the much-anticipated Green Bridge, a significant milestone of the Cross Tay Link Road project. 🎉 Opened by Perth and Kinross Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing and pupils from RDM Primary in Scone, this bridge reconnects the scenic footpaths in the Highfield, Scone forest, offering a fantastic route for walking, running, cycling, and horse riding. Moreover, the Green Bridge ensures safe passage for woodland mammals and insects across the link road, promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability. 🦔 Read more at https://lnkd.in/eeZHH6RM Left Image; Pupils from RDM Primary School alongside Perth and Kinross Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, Councillor Jack Welch, David Littlejohn, Strategic Lead for Economy, Development and Planning at Perth and Kinross Council, John Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer of BAM UK and Ireland, Louise McVey, Artist. All are standing on top of the new green bridge, with views across Perthshire in the background. Bottom Image: Side view of colourful, vibrant artwork displayed beneath the newly constructed green bridge.

An imposing 27-foot tall statue made of 100,000 seized blades was officially welcomed to Perth today (Monday 2 December). The Knife Angel also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, will be on display on King Edward Street throughout December. Created by the British Ironwork Centre, the statue is being displayed on Scotland for the first time. Welcoming the statue to Perth, Councillor Grant Laing, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “When we look up at this 27-foot tall statue we must consider not just its history and the art behind its creation, but the history of the 100,000 blades that have been used to make it. “Each of those weapons tells a tragic story. Stories that illustrate how violence has, for many people, become normalised. “And those stories are ones familiar to communities across Perth and Kinross, across Scotland, and across the United Kingdom leaving behind a trail of lives and families ruined. “As well as the victims of knife crime and their loved ones, there are also the lives thrown away by those who end up in prison because they thought carrying – and using - a knife was acceptable. “All of this comes at a huge social cost. The Knife Angel is a stark reminder that we can all do better.” For more information please visit: https://lnkd.in/e-2X68Nt

Get Ready for Christmas Shopping with Free Bus Travel! 🎄 As December begins, kickstart your Christmas shopping and travel on your local bus for free on Saturday 7 December! 🚌 Whether you're a resident, visitor, or Christmas shopper, take advantage of complimentary travel on local bus services within the Perth and Kinross Council area. Simply hop on board and travel for free—no fare required! If you have a U22, 60+, or disabled concessionary bus pass, please use it as usual. For participating local bus companies and more about the offer, visit https://lnkd.in/ehm-6YnW

The Knife Angel has arrived in Perth. This dramatic structure, made by the British Ironwork Centre from thousands of seized weapons, warns against the dangers of knife crime and aggressive behaviour. Standing at 27-feet tall, it will be on display in King Edward Street throughout December. A Book of Reflection will be available to sign from Monday, commemorating all those affected by knife violence. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/e6sFWdA9

A big thank you to all who came along to our annual Scotland's Towns Conference in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council in Perth Concert Hall yesterday ✨ It was fantastic to have an opportunity to come together and discuss how investing in our town assets can help build more sustainable places. Have a watch of this video below to get a flavour of the day in 6o seconds - stay tuned for more 👇 #STC24 #Scotlandstowns #ScotlandLovesLocal #towns #placemaking #sustainabletowns Kimberley Guthrie Leigh Sparks

First Minister of Scotland and MSP for Perthshire North John Swinney saw first-hand progress on the new Perth High School building last week. He was joined on the visit by Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Jim Fairlie, senior Perth and Kinross Councillors and Council officials, and representatives from Robertson Group and Hub East Central Scotland (hubco). The Perth High School project is being delivered for the Council by Robertson Construction Tayside on behalf of hubco and is being built to exacting Passivhaus building design standards, where energy saving measures and providing a comfortable environment are an integral part of the process. Up to 1,600 pupils and 140 staff will be accommodated in the new three-storey building, which is being constructed at the existing High School site, with the current school building set to be demolished and the ground transformed to provide a 3G sports pitch and multi-use games area (MUGA) when the new building is completed in 2025.  Mr Swinney said: "I commend Perth and Kinross Council and all partners involved in this transformative project, which will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on the community." Councillor John Rebbeck, Perth and Kinross Council's Convener of Families and Learning said: "As we get closer to Perth High School opening the doors of its brand new facilities to young people and staff, I am very pleased that Mr Swinney is able to join us and see first-hand how works are progressing on site, and I welcome the positive way that the Council has worked in partnership with the Scottish Government. "This £80m project is a key element of the Council's programme to improve the learning estate in Perth and Kinross by investing in the provision of modern, fit for purpose facilities, and additionally by building to Passivhaus standards, one of the first schools of its kind in Scotland alongside Riverside Primary, we aim to reduce our environmental impact." Kevin Dickson, regional managing director, Robertson Construction Tayside, said: "Once complete, the school will be an integral part of the community, helping young people reach their full potential while supporting our collective journey to net zero. "Building to Passivhaus standards once again with the Council demonstrates the importance placed on delivering cutting-edge projects in a sustainable, forward-thinking way."  

Step into Perth this Christmas ❄️🎄 A new multi-channel campaign has been launched to encourage shoppers to love local this Christmas. Laying the foundations for a year-round "Perth City" destination message centred around independent businesses, the campaign consists of a series of long-term online assets, city centre placemaking and a new city centre map showcasing over 120 shops, cafes and restaurants.  Building on the success of previous years, the 2024 campaign focuses on shops and their owners rather than gifts. Perth and Kinross Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, commented: "87% of businesses in Perth and Kinross are considered "micro businesses" accounting for over 6,000 jobs. Independent retail and hospitality accounts for a significant share of this sector, and ensuring we support our city and town centres is essential if we are to thrive and grow our local economy. "This year's Christmas campaign will once again showcase the many independent retailers that bring Perth to life. Our unique strength lies in the "off the High Street" nature of our compact city centre; side streets, lanes and vennels, make up so much of what we have to offer and by highlighting these important thoroughfares and the shops within them, we will demonstrate why Perth is the destination city for residents and visitors who love to shop local. "We have always had a fantastic response to the gift guide in previous years, and we know that people enjoy shopping local in Perth. However, we needed a campaign that works for our businesses past Christmas. The Street Life message can be used all year round and built upon during key retail opportunities throughout the year. "We've had a fantastic response to it so far, and we're looking forward to seeing it evolve." Image: This image is taken in front of the new window vinyls located in St John's Street, Perth, with Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, with Linda Byers of Byers and Co, Jenny Christie of Fun Junction, Steve McGilvary of Malts & Spirits, and Justin Hay of E-Computers. The artworks in St John's Street, King Edward Street and High Street include a map which showcases over 120 local independent businesses, cafes and restaurants in Perth.   

Perth is set to welcome delegates to this year’s highly anticipated Scotland's Towns Partnership Conference on Wednesday 27 November. The theme “Investing in our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future” promises insightful discussions and an opportunity to connect with forward-thinking organisations in sustainability. Leader of Perth and Kinross, Councillor Grant Laing, will highlight the transformational work being taken by our Vacant and Eyesore Property Taskforce. He said: “Our Vacant and Eyesore Property Taskforce has been developed to work in partnership with property owners/businesses to help them access funding to refurbish and bring properties back into use. “Empty and disrepaired properties do not present an area in its best light and can limit further investment. They also disrupt the sense of community and vibrancy of an area. These buildings often lead to other problems such as anti-social behaviour, vermin, fly-tipping and fire-raising. “Encouraging the re-use of empty properties or the repair of buildings suffering from neglect brings in more footfall for local businesses and adds to the vitality, amenity and civic pride of the area. All of this brings significant benefits to our local centres, including improved economic performance. “This type of work is something the Council has prioritised, and you can see the success we had with St Pauls Church and the former Perth City Hall, now Perth Museum. “I look forward to welcoming Scotland’s Towns Partnership and its guests to Perth, where we can pass on everything we have learned to delegates from other areas.”

Reminder: Community Voices Event on Tuesday 26 November! There's still time to book your space at the Community Voices Event on Tuesday 26 November, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Civic Hall, Council Building, 2 High Street, Perth. Hosted by the Perth City Local Action Partnership, this event is your chance to make your voice heard on important local issues such as Poverty, Employability, and Health and Wellbeing. Engage in World Café style discussions, hear from key speakers, and contribute to solution-focused thinking. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in your community, learn more about the work of the Perth City Local Action Partnership, and get involved in action planning for our city. Book your space at https://lnkd.in/em8EZzfm We look forward to seeing you there!