Conservative councillors for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward, Caroline Shiers and Bob Brawn, have announced that they will both be standing for re-election at the local elections in May.
Cllr Shiers was first elected in May 2007 and was subsequently re-elected in 2012 and 2017.
She said: “I can genuinely say that I have not once regretted putting myself up for election as one of the ward councillors for Blairgowrie and Glens.
“It is such a diverse and beautiful part of Scotland and one I love spending time in. We have seen an influx of visitors to this area over the past few years, something we need to capitalise on.
“We have achieved a lot over the 15 years I have represented this ward and there is an awful lot still to do.
“I am thrilled that the 3G pitch at Davie Park is now complete but I want the works on the recreation centre to get underway so we can see that project complete.
“I am delighted that there has been a multi-million investment in Rattray Primary but there is still more to be done in Rattray and we must look at further investment in Blairgowrie High School.
“I pushed hard for support for local businesses which led to the Open for Business Fund and the grant funding for business frontage improvements in the town.
“There is still more that needs to be done to support businesses and to help make the town centre more attractive so we can capitalise on the growing staycation market.
“Our rural communities in the Glens also have very specific needs and building resilience and looking at local transport options is high on the agenda.
“We also still need to see improvements to infrastructure - especially healthcare provision.
“Most importantly, I have enjoyed working alongside many hundreds of volunteers over the past 15 years. “Everything from scraping moss off the bridge, to manning Santa’s grotto in the Wellmeadow and most significantly working with the volunteers who came forward during the COVID lockdowns.
“I am humbled by the sheer dedication of the many people that glue these communities together and I hope, if re-elected, to continue that work.”
Bob Brawn added: “Having been postmaster at the Bridge of Cally Post Office since 2003, the May 2017 elections presented my first step into elected office within local government.
“Looking back, I can honestly say I have had no regrets in taking on the role. And it goes without saying that I am proud to have been asked to stand again as a candidate.
“The last five years have presented challenges and no more so than the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Against that backdrop, we have achieved much in such a short time.
“A new recreation centre is now at planning application stage, to be built to a cutting-edge design with the centrepiece being the much requested six-lane Olympic size pool.
“The Community Investment Fund has proved overwhelmingly popular- funding for local groups approved by local people.
“The largest investment in our road infrastructure is ongoing and road safety measures have been installed to make our roads safer for all users. Improvements to Ferguson Park have started and other areas will follow.
“I have been able to work with individuals and groups who work hard to improve the ward, making it a better place to live in, both in the summer and winter months, maintaining a sense of normality in these difficult days.
“It has been and remains a privilege to serve the community and I look forward to the forthcoming election campaign.”
The Scottish local elections are due to take place on May 5, as well as elsewhere in the UK. All 1219 seats across Scotland’s 32 councils will be among those up for grabs on polling day.
