Residents quiz council on Grangemouth’s future, demanding better housing, investment benefits, and a town train station.
More than one hundred people attended the meeting at Grangemouth High School. The Grangemouth Community Council called the meeting because people wanted better housing in town and hoped investment helps the whole town.
Kenneth Lawrie, Kenny Gillespie, and Paul Kettrick attended, representing Falkirk Council. Councillors Cecil Meiklejohn and Paul Garner attended too. Walter Inglis led the meeting well.
Speakers agreed on building better housing, including more private housing in Grangemouth. Adam Gillies suggested mixing private and council housing to generate money for the town.
People want fewer HMOs because these houses have temporary residents who don’t invest in the community. Residents felt the Action Plan did not work and wanted to know about investment benefits.
The town will get £90 million investment from the Scottish and UK governments. Residents asked why Grangemouth only gets 60% considering the town lives with the industry’s problems, so why not get all benefits?
People criticized upgrading Falkirk’s train station and want a station in Grangemouth instead, believing it could help the town greatly.
Kenneth Lawrie said negotiation took years and the governments decided which projects to support. He said there are positive ideas, but £90 million is not enough.
The council will lobby for more money and regulation changes. Mr. Lawrie worries about industry changes and wants to bridge the gap.
The refinery closure worries people, though the town’s decline started before this and action was needed a long time ago. New projects promise jobs and investment, and people asked how young people would benefit.
Paul Kettrick believes firms will come to Grangemouth, although projects will take time even when started. He acknowledged town problems, noting the town centre faces decline, and inequality and housing are also issues. He said there is a divide between industry and community.
The town will benefit from Greener Grangemouth, which has £12 million for local projects. These projects will improve wellbeing for local people and skills programs will offer local job opportunities.
A town centre plan is being created, building on past efforts. It connects existing projects with new ones and greener energy could end building restrictions. This includes building new homes.
People listened, but some felt it was only “words”.
Council bosses will look at individual issues. Mr. Lawrie offered a health service meeting, emphasizing that Grangemouth’s importance is clear.
He said the area is vital to Scotland’s economy, and the government must fix the town.