Scottish Government Allocates £1m for Perth Fire Recovery Efforts

The Scottish Government has committed to providing £1 million to the Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) to assist with costs stemming from a devastating fire on June 14, 2023, at 41 Scott Street. The incident resulted in the death of a man and injuries to several others, leading to significant damage to multiple flats and the popular local establishment, The Royal Bar.

In the aftermath of the fire, the council has already incurred expenses amounting to £934,000, with projections indicating total costs could escalate to approximately £3.2 million. Most of these expenses are associated with demolition efforts and the restoration of the affected streetscape.

Financial Support and Recovery Efforts

PKC is currently negotiating with insurance companies to recover some costs and has appointed a loss adjuster to navigate these complex discussions. However, local officials noted that certain costs, particularly those related to welfare support provided to affected residents, are likely to remain irrecoverable.

Eric Drysdale, the leader of PKC, reached out to the Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee, requesting prompt financial assistance. In his letter, Drysdale emphasized the urgent need for clarity regarding the support from the Scottish Government following the tragic events at Scott Street.

The council has taken significant steps to support the community, including rehousing a total of 55 households displaced by the fire. Emergency aid has also been extended to both residents and businesses in the vicinity. As demolition work continues, many residents remain in temporary accommodations as they await the restoration of their homes.

During a recent meeting of PKC’s Finance and Resources Committee, finance chief Scott Walker announced the allocation of funding from the Scottish Government. He confirmed, “Just this morning, funding from the Scottish Government of £1 million was confirmed and this will be paid on December 15.”

Community Response and Leadership Perspectives

Drysdale expressed his satisfaction regarding the funding, stating, “I’m delighted to see my letter to the Minister has secured £1 million of financial support from the Scottish Government towards the costs associated with the tragic Scott Street fire.” He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring positive outcomes for the Perth and Kinross community and expressed gratitude to council officers for their collaborative efforts in securing the necessary funding.

As the council continues its recovery efforts, the focus remains on supporting those affected by the fire and restoring the community to its former state. The financial assistance from the Scottish Government is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the ongoing needs of the impacted residents and businesses.