3
August 05
Energy Minister Confirms Conference Attendance
The
Department of Energy, Business, and Regulatory Reform (DBRR) has confirmed
that the Energy Minister, Rt Hon Malcolm Wicks MP, will attend the
Caithness Conference � Beyond Dounreay, on Friday 14th of September. As
Energy Minister Mr. Wicks is responsible for Dounreay and for the NDA
which is currently in talks with DBRR over its budget for both
decommissioning and socio-economic support.
John Thurso MP
chair of the conference organizing committee commented: �I am pleased the
minister has accepted our invitation. He was provisionally scheduled to
have been overseas but I was able to convince him of the importance of
attending this economic conference, and of demonstrating government
support for our regeneration strategy. Although we do not have his
detailed programme yet it is my understanding that he will make time to
look at other energy issues during his visit. It is vital that the
minister responsible for Dounreay has a clear understanding of the
challenges of decommissioning and how government can help. The conference
will, I hope, prove an ideal way to brief him.�
The conference is being organized
by The Caithness Partnership and
The
Dounreay Stakeholder Group with help and support from
HIE Caithness & Sutherland,
North Highland
College, and
UKAEA. It will be held at North Highland College and will start at
9.30am. The organizing committee has put together a series of workshops
from which delegates can choose followed by a full session to share
feedback. The conference which will last all day has also attracted
several specialist speakers to address specific regeneration issues.
Invitations are being sent to all stakeholders and representatives of all
interested groups and communities. In addition a number of places are
being advertised to the general public and a full attendance is expected.
George Bruce
Chairman of the Caithness Partnership and a member of the organizing
committee said: �The strategy was agreed last year and the
Regeneration Partnership put in
place early this year. However there is still much to do. This conference
gives a chance for the whole community to take part in the positive
process of working for a secure economic future and being part of the
solutions. This is all part of moving from strategy to action.�
Dounreay
Stakeholder Group Chair, Alistair Macdonald commented: �The workshop
sessions in the morning will give all our members a chance to participate.
There are lots of good ideas out there. We need to capture them and get
them into the action plan. This conference is an important step in taking
regeneration forward.�
Among others confirmed as taking
part are Professor David Rhind, a former Bank of England Board member who
chairs the NDA�s Socio-Economic Board, Sandy Cumming - CEO of HIE, and Dr
Holger Bergmann who has recently issued a report on Highland economics.
John Thurso added: �By the time of
this conference I expect HIE Caithness & Sutherland will have published
their action plan for delivery of the strategy. The conference will be an
ideal opportunity for every one to get involved in the actions for
delivering future economic growth in the North and to add to the plans
already in progress. A lot of thought has gone into planning this
conference to make it a positive and proactive experience for all the
delegates and I am confident it will full.�
About MALCOLM WICKS MP |