Perth and Kinross Council may remain statutory harbour authority to speed up the process of closing Perth Harbour as a commercial port but allow it to be used for recreational purposes.
It is now two years since councillors voted to close the commercial port, due to it operating at a loss.
It was the first time in Scotland a statutory port authority had considered relinquishing its duties and closing an operational harbour and the process has proved slow and complex.
Councillors have regularly expressed frustration over the length of time being taken.
PKC’s strategic lead for Economy Development and Planning provided an update to the council’s Finance and Resources Committee on Wednesday February 5.
Serge Merone told councillors: “We’ve been in discussion with Transport Scotland to progress the council’s decision to cease the council’s involvement and obligations in managing Perth Harbour as a commercial port and to encourage its use for recreational purposes.
“Despite our close collaboration with Transport Scotland, progressing a harbour order to completely remove the responsibilities of the council as a statutory harbour authority for Perth Harbour has proven difficult and complex.
“However, through renewed dialogue with Transport Scotland, and while still implementing the council decision, we believe it would be simpler and quicker for the council to remain the statutory harbour authority for Perth Harbour retaining only essential responsibilities to allow for recreational use. This is the solution we are proposing now and to progress that with Transport Scotland with the aim of moving to consultation as quickly as possible.”
Councillors were told officers could progress this new proposal under delegated powers as it was still implementing the decision taken by Perth and Kinross councillors in February 2023.
SNP council leader Grant Laing said: “The decision was that we ceased as a commercial port and that’s what we’re still doing. I think – once we have it in writing – it will now be a leisure facility/area but we will have some control over what takes place there.”
Conservative group leader John Duff called for a written briefing for elected members so councillors “can have a clear understanding of what is involved here”.
The committee’s convener SNP councillor Stewart Donaldson agreed that would be “helpful”.