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Councils seek backing for Longannet recovery plan

Councils seek backing for Longannet recovery plan

It is hoped a draft £9 million economic recovery plan developed by local authorities will be approved by the Longannet taskforce next week.

Meeting for the third time, the group was established after ScottishPower’s announcement the power station would close at the end of next month.

The taskforce co-chairman, Fife Council leader David Ross, said: “The closure of Longannet is a nationally significant matter and one that impacts directly on a workforce of over 230 staff.

“There is also widespread concern about the knock-on impact of the closure on the business supply chain and the local communities surrounding the power station.”

The councils’ draft plan measures the impact of the closure and identifies initiatives to support the workers, businesses and communities affected.

Mr Ross added: “We look forward to the Scottish Government approving this. The economic recovery plan seeks £9 million to address immediate priorities for the task force and for the future development of the local economy.

“The approach adopted to date has been to align existing resources and activity to help address immediate priorities including workforce support, but the additional resources set out in the draft plan are critical if we are to continue this support and look to the future economic recovery of the local area.”

Mr Ross admitted this was a worrying time for Longannet workers and for many businesses across Scotland, and this was why the group needed to do everything it could to support residents, employees and businesses to mitigate the economic impact of the closure as far as possible.

The draft plan has been developed by Fife, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and North Ayrshire Councils in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland/PACE and will be presented for approval at the meeting.

It details proposals that will support investment decisions and job creation opportunities over the short, medium and long term.

Meanwhile, residents and businesses are invited to a briefing and question-and-answer session on the taskforce from 4 to 6.30pm tomorrow at Kincardine Community Centre.

Run by Fife Council it will provide a forum for questions and suggestions from residents, community groups and businesses.

Mr Ross said: “We want to hear the concerns and opinions of residents, employees and businesses about the forthcoming closure.”