THE first meeting of the taskforce set up to support employees and communities ahead of the closure of the Fife Ethylene Plant has taken place in Dunfermline.
A £9 million package was also announced by the Scottish Government after ExxonMobil announced in November that their site at Mossmorran is to shut next month with 400 jobs at risk.
At the taskforce meeting representatives from Fife Council, the UK and Scottish governments, unions, business and community leaders heard from plant manager, Teresa Cassar, who confirmed that, initially, 70 employees will be made redundant.
Work is underway on the safe decommissioning of the site, and a number of employees will be involved in a phased shutdown over the coming months.
Cowdenbeath Tory councillor Darren Watt said: "The plant manager at ExxonMobil confirmed that 20 employees will be relocated to London or Southampton, 70 will receive redundancy packages at the end of April, and 90 will be retained until the first quarter of 2028 for decommissioning and dismantling work."
Discussions at the meeting at Dunfermline Learning Campus focused on how best to continue supporting affected workers and mitigate the impact of the closure on contractors, the supply chain, local communities and the wider Fife economy.
Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Melanie Ward, said Westminster had put plans in place to secure additional opportunities for employees being made redundant.
She said: "Chris McDonald MP, industry minister, was very clear that the UK Government stands ready to provide funding to support the future development of, and new jobs at, the current site of Fife Ethylene Plant.
"As he told me when I raised this in the House of Commons, this includes the potential to draw on some of the £600 million Strategic Sites Accelerator Fund. What we need now is for the taskforce to do its job in agreeing future options so that UK Government investment can help get it moving.”
Mr McDonald said: "We’re committed to doing everything we can to support dedicated Mossmorran workers and find a viable future for the site, and this meeting was just the start.
“This includes the UK Government ensuring Mossmorran workers get a job interview at the Grangemouth cracker, which we've backed with over £120m of investment, and we're also in discussions with other Fife employers and investors to find a buyer for the Mossmorran site.”
SNP councillor Bailey-Lee Robb, who also represents the Cowdenbeath ward, said that clarification was still needed on that financial support from the UK Government.
He said: "The funding from the Scottish Government over the next three years was widely welcomed by all in attendance.
"However, I and others provided an effective challenge to Chris McDonald MP on if and when the UK Government was going to put up cash for both the site and the local community.
"While an assurance was given of 'resource commitment', it was very light on detail."
The taskforce said that finding a new long-term innovative future for the site is a key priority, with a focus on green energy and net zero opportunities.
A masterplan will be developed which will then be marketed to "drive the best opportunities and long-term jobs to the area".
Fife Council said that support for the workforce will focus on employee wellbeing, financial management advice, training and learning opportunities.
A jobs fair involving several large local companies has been organised for next month, with Fife College developing new courses to help with future skills.
Council leader David Ross said: "ExxonMobil's decision has been a devastating blow to their dedicated workforce, their families and the wider communities who have supported the facility for many years.
"Colleagues are already working with PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) to help those workers facing redundancy with advice, training and skills needed for redeployment and all contractors and suppliers affected are also being offered support.
"This meeting has demonstrated that continued collaboration is key to a sustainable future for Mossmorran.
"This work will take time but we have taken some very positive first steps. We will continue to capitalise on the future potential of the site and aim for many more years of employment in the area."
Business and employment minister Richard Lochhead said the Scottish Government's £9m commitment over three years will help mitigate the impacts of the plant's closure.
He added: "This funding will also support the site’s long-term future, with Scottish Enterprise identifying new investment opportunities."
The taskforce is due to meet again towards the end of March.
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