Fight continues to save economy of east Sutherland
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FIRST Minister Alex Salmond failed to meet David Stewart MSP on Tuesday night, as scheduled, to discuss the growing concerns in east Sutherland about the area’s economic future.
Mr Stewart explains that circumstances prevented Mr Salmond from being able to attend.
Mr Stewart told us: “It was unfortunate we were unable to meet, but as the closure of the Serco call centre in Brora moves closer by the day, I am increasingly determined to make a strong case for retaining good local jobs in Sutherland and continue to build my case to put before the First Minister at a re-scheduled meeting, hopefully next week.
“Not only do I want to stress the importance of retaining and bringing jobs to Sutherland, I also want to stress the vital need to challenge the demography of rural areas like Sutherland where we have an ageing population and declining numbers of workforce.”
However, Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, insists Sutherland is not in crisis.
He told the NT: “East Sutherland has average unemployment in the Highlands. It is not in crisis. The shock to the Serco workers at Brora is highly regrettable, and loss of call centre work is a top priority for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and our Scottish Government. We await their report which should be expected soon.
“I want to see developing successful parts of the East Sutherland economy as the top priority before convening a Sutherland jobs review later this year.
“However we should not discount the successful parts of the local economy which could take up more employees.
“I have already pointed out that tourism is a strong suit in east Sutherland. Work to add more interest to the local heritage and history could be a winner, as Timespan has shown in Helmsdale.
“Development of the stories of Brora and Golspie could be a most useful way to use the skills of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) history experts at Burghfield in Dornoch to show the way.
“I will be pressing HIE and the UHI, to discuss ways to empower more cultural tourism in our area to augment the golf, mountain biking, kart track and other activities that make the area so attractive to holidaymakers.
“The area has a lot to offer new seams of work in successful veins already mined. Let’s make sure that the emphasis is on praising the good enterprises as well as seeking new ways to expand them.
“In short, let’s ‘Keep Sutherland Working’ with new ideas that build on tried and tested attractions and services as part of the mix.”
A spokeswoman for HIE this week told us: “We are actively promoting the growth of locally important sectors, including tourism, food and drink and energy.
“HIE’s commitment to empowering local communities is also bearing fruit in many parts of East Sutherland. Some examples of where progress is currently being made or planned are:
l In Brora: HIE is supporting the installation of an open WiFi network covering central Brora to attract tourists to spend more time in the village, which is scheduled to go live at the end of this month.
l In Dornoch: Local community groups are being supported to move forward with the recommendations of the recently completed Dornoch Economic Masterplan. This masterplan is also developing academic growth and economic growth. Our work in developing Dornoch as a destination will continue, in partnership with the businesses, UHI and the local community.
l In south east and central Sutherland: HIE, along with other partners, is working with the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust to investigate the potential of opening a community owned tourist centre at the Falls of Shin. The Scottish Government and HIE have recently enabled the development trust to purchase the local post office to retain it for the community.
Carbisdale Castle is in private hands and while we haven’t been approached about any current plans, we would be happy to consider any viable proposition which may come forward.
l In Helmsdale: HIE and Highland Council contributed to the new pontoons which were opened at the harbour earlier in the summer, catering for the growing marine tourism market. The Scottish Government, HIE and partners are also supporting the building of affordable homes in the village for local families which are scheduled for completion later this year.”
When asked about the possibility of developing Golspie’s Business Park, she said: “HIE part-leases space from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) who have a building there. We also own three sites in the park which are currently on the market and we are in discussions with potential developers at the moment.”
But local Highland councillor Graham Phillips claimed HIE were “dragging their feet” over potential developments at the park.
He explained that when the former Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise received European grant-aid to create the park, the vision was that only “clean” businesses would be encouraged – such as call centres. Any developer of a plot who wished to move away from that would have to repay their apportionment of the grant.
Mr Phillips said: “The Highland Council bought one plot at the park and we had a local businessman wishing to move in there, but I had to fight tooth and nail to get the repayment clause waived.
“It was not until I went to the Enterprise Minister (Fergus Ewing) that HIE agreed.”
The HIE spokeswoman was also asked by the NT how much inward investment had been actively sought by them in east Sutherland in the past five years?
She answered: “The total approvals from HIE’s area team budget in the last five years with third party applicants is £550,000 – this does not include funding from wider HIE programmes and projects such as graduate placement schemes and Next Generation Broadband.”
