£250k to help those impacted by blaze

Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) will immediately allocate £250,000 to help Perth residents and businesses impacted by the devastating fire on Scott Street which tragically claimed the life of one man.

- KATHRYN ANDERSON AND ALASTAIR MCNEILL

The Finance and Resources Committee unanimously agreed to allocate the funding from the council's earmarked reserve for Communities.

At the Wednesday, June 18 meeting, councillors were asked to approve the financial move to support the local authority's response to and recovery from the fire.

It comes after a fire broke out at 41 Scott Street in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, destroying the entire sandstone building resulting in the loss of several homes and a popular pub, The Royal Bar.

Around 50 households have been displaced and several businesses have had to close, including the neighbouring That Bar and Loft Nightclub.

Tabling the motion to make the funding available, Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing said it was important the local authority helped those most affected.

The SNP leader said: "It is still early days, and it is likely that there will be a call for other funding, but it is important that the council stands with our citizens and communities in their hour of need.

"So today I am proposing the immediate allocation of £250,000 from the Communities earmarked reserve to support those very communities.

"This initial package will provide enhanced support for people and for businesses as well as recognise that the council is incurring additional costs too.