Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Summer 2023

Interviews & Contributor’s Articles
Cllr Bob Brawn
Scottish Conservative,
Blairgowrie and Glens Ward
There are pivotal moments in history, and
we have witnessed one such moment just
a few weeks ago, namely the Coronation of
King Charles III. Whilst watching the television
commentary, I heard that there are only
around 600,000 of the country’s population
can actually remember and were involved
in celebrations at the Queen’s Coronation in
1953. So for almost all of us, this was our first
experience of such an event.
Our new King ascended the throne in
troubled times- a war in East Europe, rising
inflation and a resulting cost-of-living crisis
here at home. And with the Coronation over,
things are the same with a huge sense of
uncertainty within the country. However, I
think we have a decent and caring man who
now sits on the throne, and I believe he will
do all he can to ease the burdens on ordinary
people.
On more local matters, all will have read that
the recent budget approved the necessary
increase in funding for the new Recreation
Centre. Following that, members of the
User Reference Group had a digital walk
through of the proposed building which gave
a clear impression of how it will look when
completed. The new building is expected
to be completed and open by the end of
2024 following which the existing centre will
be demolished and the site completed by
mid-2025. A Letter of Intent has been signed
which allows materials to be ordered and
equipment mobilised with commencement of
works expected in June.
Following on from the ongoing concerns of
residents regarding flooding in the Schoolfield
Road area of Rattray, Councillor Shiers and
myself, with members of the Community
Council, met with Flood Engineers from PKC.
Consultants, with information from local
residents, are working at formulating some
solutions and there is a public exhibition
to be held at the end of the year for public
feedback. In the meantime, the Community
Council, with support from the Flood Forum,
will be visiting properties which are prone to
flooding to help with defensive measures.
Decent quality affordable housing is always in
demand and the next phase of the Westpark
Development has been approved by the
Planning Committee and whilst a Housing
Association is taking on the site, there are
conditions to be met before any work can
commence.
Several carriageway works have taken place
in the Glens both on the A93 and A924- all
were completed within timescales albeit with
some initial confusion over signage. Most
importantly, the road surfaces are improved
as drivers will note. There are more works to
be conducted on the A93 towards Glenshee in
June, which will entail full closure, but these
will be carried out at night.
Finally, the 20mph speed limits across
the Glens villages, initially set up under
temporary traffic orders during the
pandemic, will now be made permanent.
Please remember these are in place for the
safety of all road users.
As always, may I wish you good luck and
Godspeed.
E-mail - BBrawn@pkc.gov.uk
Mobile - 07557 815541
Cllr Caroline Shiers
Scottish Conservative,
Blairgowrie and Glens Ward
Recently I joined residents and
representatives from the PKC Housing
team on walkabouts in Rattray. The routes
covered Davie Park, Old Mill Road and
Ferguson Park. We met with residents
and heard about concerns. A big issue is
around grounds maintenance and litter.
Litter picks are planned for Davie Park and
Rattray Common to supplement the work
being done by the council and volunteers.
Council budgets being as tight as they are,
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66 BRDT MAGAZINE - SUMMER 2023