Scottish Conservative MSPs support letter which slams Council PH2O plan for Perth

Liz Smith MSP

Scottish Conservative MSPs have given their support to a letter which criticises Perth and Kinross Council’s leisure plan for Perth.

Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith both back the letter sent by Perth Civic Trust to Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, which states how the local authority’s proposal shows a ‘lack of vision for the future,’ claims there was a lack of ‘meaningful consultation,’ and a ‘lack of detail in the proposals,’ criticises ‘no meaningful leisure swimming’ and described the plan as a ‘missed opportunity.’

The letter from Perth Civic Trust follows the controversial council PH2O plan to build a leisure facility in Thimblerow in Perth. This proposal doesn’t feature a dedicated leisure pool or ice rink facility.

A petition signed by more than 2,300 people wanting to overturn the decision will see the plans go back before councillors on February 26.

Mr Fraser and Miss Smith attended a recent photocall in Perth, organised by The Courier newspaper for people to show their support for their ‘Say NO to Thimblerow’ campaign.

Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “I fully support this letter from Perth Civic Trust. The loss of a leisure pool and curling rink is simply unacceptable to Perthshire residents. The PH2O plan is very short-sighted and has understandably been met with a lot of opposition from local residents, curlers and members of swimming clubs in Perth. It is ill-thought through, with claims of a lack of consultation, and as Perth Civic Trust aptly said has a ‘lack of vision.’

“We are encouraging people to join us tomorrow to show support for this campaign and to ask the council to think again on this very unpopular leisure plan.”

And Liz Smith added: “Perth Civic Trust’s letter makes a series of valid points about the council’s PH20 plan for Perth. The issues they raise that stand out for me are the fact that Perth has enjoyed ‘enviable’ leisure facilities for the last 40 years, but the future now looks uncertain. And I also feel it is worth highlighting their concerns over the suggestion from the council that curlers should take over the running of the rink at Dewars."

 

 

 

 

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Murdo Fraser MSP

Murdo Fraser

Murdo Fraser was born in Inverness and studied law at Aberdeen University before practicing as a solicitor in Edinburgh. In the 1999 Scottish Parliament Election, Murdo stood as the Conservative candidate for North Tayside, and fought the constituency again at the 2001 General Election. He became a Member of the Scottish Parliament in August 2001 following the resignation of the previous List Member for Mid-Scotland and Fife, and was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021. Murdo was Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives from November 2005 to November 2011 and has served as spokesman on Education, Health, Economy and Finance. Murdo was delighted to be re-elected in 2021 and is now Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Business, Economic Growth and Tourism. 
Liz Smith

Liz Smith

Liz Smith was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011, 2016 and in 2021. She is one of four Conservative Regional Members for Mid Scotland and Fife. Following her long-serving role as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, she became Chief Whip in February 2020. Following the 2021 election, Liz took over the role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, now serving as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Public Administration, and chairs two cross party committees: those on Colleges and Universities, and Sport.