Fife Taskforce Agree To Spend £6 Million

Crunch talks have taken place to discuss job creation plans following the collapse of Tullis Russell.

Members of the Fife Taskforce have agreed to spend £1.5 million supporting the 403 workers who lost their jobs when the papermill entered administration. 143 people have found employment so far. £2 million will also be spent supporting business growth across Glenrothes and Central Fife.

The taskforce also agreed allocations of:

• Community regeneration – £0.25 million from additional resources to support community and town centre projects in Glenrothes and the most affected communities in Central Fife.
• Business infrastructure and investment - £2.25 million from additional resources to explore future uses of the Tullis Russell site, including the biomass heat generation and developments at Queensway Industrial Estate and other industrial estates in Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy as well as a long term strategic assessment of the mid-Fife economy

After the meeting co-chairs Mr Swinney and Cllr Ross said: “We want to make sure that we collectively do everything possible to help those most affected in a rapid, accessible and effective way, and we will make sure this continues to be done. We are confident that the agreed allocation and distribution of the £6 million Scottish Government funding will target the right places and reach the right people.

“While we were all disappointed that the intensive process to find an alternative buyer for Tullis Russell was not successful, we were heartened to hear about the support that has been delivered to the workforce.

“We should like to recognise the efforts not only of the public sector agencies involved but also of the private sector which has also done all it can to help offer jobs and opportunities to those made redundant.

“Our focus is on actions that continue to support people, business and communities affected. The initiatives set out in our Action Plan will help deliver economic growth in Glenrothes and Central Fife. Delivering against these actions is now key for us over the months ahead.”