Get involved in shaping Perth and Kinross

We proposed three rent level options for 2026/27, and ask tenants to vote for their preference.

The options were:

• 6.5% rent increase
• 7.5% rent increase 
• 8.5% rent increase

Every tenant received information explaining each option, the services and capital improvements that could be delivered, and the potential impacts on service delivery and inflationary pressures being experienced by our Housing Revenue Account (HRA). 

A total of 2,782 tenants (33% of tenants) responded to the consultation, with the outcome as follows:

• Option 1 (6.5%) – 72.3%
• Option 2 (7.5%) – 21.0%
• Option 3 (8.5%) – 6.7%

On Wednesday 21 January 2026 Councillors agreed a 6.5% rent increase for  tenants for 2026/27.

The Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee agreed the rise in line with tenants' preferences. This means the average rent will go up £5.49 per week, giving an average rent of £90.01 per week based on 52 weeks.

Perth and Kinross will maintain the fourth lowest council rent in Scotland, £8.71 below the projected Scottish local authority average.

The increase will mean £300,000 is available to help bring empty properties back into use more quickly, £200,000 to improve the response time for repairs and provide £40,000 to pay for a handyperson to support older tenants in their homes.

The increase will also cover inflationary pressures on our Housing Revenue Account (HRA) - the ring-fenced pot of money paid by tenants' rents which is used to provide housing services.

Our Affordability Model shows 86% of tenants will be able to afford this increase but we understand many are struggling due to Cost of Living pressures. You can find out details of the support available on our website: https://bit.ly/4qvy3Qx

The rent increase will come into effect on Monday 6 April 2026.

In May 2024, the Scottish Parliament passed the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act. This Act gives local authorities the ability to charge a set percentage on overnight accommodation paid by visitors and tourists. 

Then, in February 2025, Perth and Kinross Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed to start a period of public consultation after the launch of the Perthshire Tourism Strategy 2025 to 2030 to understand whether and how a visitor levy should be implemented in the area.

The results of this early engagement will help shape what any visitor levy would look like, and it is intended that any resulting 'scheme' will be put to the Council in December 2025 for a final decision on whether or not to introduce the levy and at what rate it should be set.

Any money raised from a potential visitor levy scheme would be ring-fenced to invest in local facilities and services that are used by visitors. It could be reinvested in the following key areas:

• facilities, infrastructure and services that are used by leisure and business visitors
• area promotion and marketing
• development of new tourism products
• attracting events and festivals
• improvements that enhance the overall visitor experience

Since residents and visitors use many of the same facilities, the visitor levy also has the potential to also benefit Perth and Kinross residents.

To ensure proposals are aligned as far as possible with the views and expectations of Perth and Kinross visitors, residents and businesses,  a public consultation was held between June to September 2025 as part of the early stage engagement. 

A total of 1,590 people responded to tell us their views. Thank you to everyone who took part. The results are currently being analysed.

It was anticipated to submit a draft Visitor Levy Scheme to the Council for consideration in December 2025.

However, due to the possible consideration of legislation changes by the Scottish Government, it is now proposed to submit a report in late Spring/Summer 2026.

The Scottish Government has indicated that additional regulations to the current legislation are scheduled to be lodged in early in 2026. As part of this process, they also indicated the Scottish Ministers were aware that some areas of Scotland were seeking greater flexibility in how the levy is applied and administered.

Consequently, they are actively considering extending powers to local authorities, including the option to introduce a single flat rate or tiered flat rate model alongside the existing percentage-based approach. 

Although the timeframe for any such considerations is not set and may extend beyond May 2026, it seems reasonable to wait for these considerations to be progressed further before finalising a draft Visitor Levy Scheme for Perth and Kinross. These changes may address some of challenges highlighted by residents, communities, and businesses during the early engagement process.

We asked you what your spending priorities were for Housing Services for 2026/27.

What you told us can be viewed in this video and the report below.

The results of the consultation were presented to tenants at the Tenant Summer Conference on 25 June 2025.

Workshop discussions were held to drill down into the results and further discuss the kind of services that tenants wanted to see.

All of this feedback will be used to produce a number of proposed rent level options for 2026/27, which will be voted on by tenants during November and December of 2025.

We proposed a sketch masterplan for the park which showed refurbishment of the play area, new footpaths, a new seating area and landscaping including tree planting, bulbs and wildflowers and asked for your comments.

There were 81 constructive responses to the consultation.   It was clear that the site was well used and that people cared and were concerned about existing condition.  There was good positive feedback to the proposed improvements.

The top priorities for play equipment were the multi unit, swings, slide and roundabout.  There were a number of requests for a zipline, larger climbing unit and sand play.  Unfortunately, we are not able to provide these at Potterhill because of the limited space on site and the steep slopes around it.

Several respondents requested more play provision for older children.  Play areas in Perth are categorised according to the PKC play strategy.  Potterhill Play area is categorised as a LEAP (Local Equipped Area for Play).  Play provision for this category of play area is focussed on the 4-8 age group – although we hope that older children will also enjoy some of the new items being installed.

Nature, tree planting and wildflowers were high on the list of landscape priorities as well as retaining existing shrubs and trees.

General areas of concern noted were:

• Poor condition of existing play surfacing
• Access to the play area
• Inclusivity
• Maintenance

In response to the consultation results, we've made some changes to our original play area design to make sure we can focus on what matters most to the community.

The springie which came lowest on the list of preferred play equipment has been removed and instead we are providing a larger trampoline and new spinning disc roundabout.  There is no current inclusive play provision and three of the new items of play equipment will now provide this.

All of the existing surfacing will be replaced with rubber safety surfacing in bright colours.  The slopes around the site make it impossible to provide access for all.  However, we plan to improve the path access to Potterhill flats by widening the existing path and providing an even ramp and steps into the play area.  There will also be a handrail next to the path to ease access.

The new tree planting and wildflower areas will enhance biodiversity.  The existing shrub beds will be cleared of weeds and any dead plants removed.  Spaces will be filled with new shrubs chosen to encourage birds and butterflies.  We have added a small community orchard to the design on the slope next to the path. We hope to engage with local schools and groups for fruit tree and wildflower planting events.

Signs will be installed to encourage people to keep their dogs on leads near the play area.  There will be a site sign with emergency contact details and a logo designed by local children.

There will also be seats next to the play area.  Two new litter / dog bins will be installed.

This project is currently out to tender with a view to starting on site in January 2026.

We ran a consultation from April to May 2025.  We proposed a sketch masterplan for the park which showed refurbishment of the play area, new footpaths, a new seating area and landscaping including tree planting, bulbs and wildflowers. We asked for your comments on the design.

There were 167 responses to the consultation which was a very high response rate.  The majority of the responses were really positive and supportive of the sketch design proposed.

The top priorities for play equipment were the trampoline, cableway and swings.  People also liked the existing green spinning rotator and asked for this to be kept.

Around 5% of online respondents liked the fencing around the play area and the fact that it kept dogs out.  About the same number did not like the fence and complained about the dog grids filling with rubbish and becoming very slippery and dangerous for falls in wet weather.

There was a very high request rate for more formal provision for football.  Previously there had been goal posts on site but these were removed a number of years ago.

The top landscape priority was access and path improvements followed by wildflower and tree planting.  Woodland planting was a low priority.

General areas of concern noted were:

• Visibility to the bowling green – There was a lot of concern about the hedge that currently separates the play area and the bowling green to the north.  The bowling green space is used for informal play (football kickabout / gymnastics etc) during the day but anti social behaviour is common especially at night time and the hedge provides a dense screen that encourages this.
• More provision for bins and seating
• Inclusivity

In response to the consultation results, we've made some changes to our original play area design to make sure we can focus on what matters most to the community.

The see saw and roundabout which came lowest on the list of preferred play equipment have been removed and instead we are providing a larger trampoline and new spinning rotator.  Two new items of inclusive play equipment will be installed.

After careful consideration the existing fencing and gates will be removed.  It is no longer best practice in play area design to enclose play areas with fencing for the following reasons:

• Aesthetically it presents the play area as very harsh / industrial / dog run space
• It is no longer PKC policy to fence play areas and integrating play with the wider park is preferable
• There are safety concerns with keeping fencing and dog grids – not just with trips but also because children could be trapped in the area with a dog and issues with children being cornered / bullying.

The new tree planting and wildflower areas will create a more natural boundary separating the play area from the rest of the park.  Signs will be installed to encourage people to keep their dogs on leads near the play area.

Craigie Park is currently categorised as a grass training area within PKC pitch policy.  We recognise the high public demand for football facilities from your feedback.  We have revised the design to include a “4 vs 4” lined grass pitch with goals.  This is a 30m x 20m small pitch ideal for primary age children to play a game and recommended as a good size for a “skills zone” for older children.

The proposed design has been revised to include removal of the hedge at the bowling green which will open up the site and link the play area, bowling green and Moncrieffe Community Centre.  The bowling green will continue to provide an informal recreation / events space for the community and opportunity for outdoor space for groups / classes using the centre.  Increasing visibility into the space will hopefully discourage anti social behaviour.

The new central seating area includes picnic benches and there will also be seats next to the play area.  Three new litter / dog bins will be installed.

We will be putting this project out to tender in the next few weeks with a view to starting on site later in the year.