Council seeks urgent government support for Grangemouth industries amid job loss concerns and plant closures.
A special meeting addressed an ethanol plant closure. It operated for over 40 years in Grangemouth. The SNP proposed the motion after the closure was announced. They discussed it after a meeting and initially postponed it.
Councillor Meiklejohn sees the closure as a blow. She says it hurts Scotland’s manufacturing jobs. The UK and Scottish governments need to act now and address current and future problems. Councillors are frustrated with current projects.
Projects aim to help Grangemouth and pursue greener energy for the future. These include the Growth Deal and Forth Green Freeport. Also, Project Willow and Acorn aim to help. Job losses are happening now, but these projects take years to impact. Councillors want immediate help measures.
Meiklejohn criticized the £90 million growth deal amount, saying it ignores Grangemouth’s national role. An extra £10 million isn’t enough. The council has limited power, she stated, and can’t intervene in certain ways.
The council can hold governments responsible, she added. They can push for support and investment. Regulation changes are needed. She hopes Grangemouth develops aviation fuel. UK regulation changes would help this progress.
The UK has eight aviation fuel pilot sites. Scotland has none of these sites, she noted. The letters urge reshaping the Future Industries Board. It should address current needs and future aims. They suggested a taskforce if needed.
The Labour group opposed the SNP motion. They suggested a wider focus that should include all Falkirk industry, they said. They praised their MPs’ efforts instead. Leishman criticized his party’s actions.
Councillor Nimmo stated the UK government failed Grangemouth. He argues there’s no “just transition.” Plans should have been in place before job losses. Letters should stress the closure’s impact. It affects Grangemouth and nearby areas.
Independent councillors criticized the SNP motion. They called it “political posturing.” Lawrie said the leader could have written the letter, and a motion or meeting wasn’t required. Murtagh saw it as pointless politicking.
Murtagh says people expect them to work together. They should aim for the best outcomes quietly. The Independent members sent their letter, and the letter urged governments to take action.
Councillor McCabe said the issue needs immediate action. He said MPs and MSPs must act quickly. Constituents deserve action from them now.
Bundy from the Conservative group supported the motion. He was critical of the lack of urgency and said the board lacked transparency previously. He acknowledged his party was recently in government. The devolution settlement showed problems. Grangemouth “had fallen between the cracks,” he claims.
He says both sides blame each other, but instead, they must act now, he stated. The Conservative group supported the SNP motion’s focus. It addresses Grangemouth and job losses.
Councillor Sinclair thinks the SNP motion is important. He thinks it matters to the local area and believes this isn’t a pointless attempt. He said that people’s lives are at stake.