Spending review: Moray taskforce begins fight to save at least one airbase from scrapheap

A NEW taskforce has been formed to spearhead the fight to ensure Moray retains at least one RAF base, and copes with the loss of the other.

Political, business and enterprise leaders from the area met at an Elgin hotel, after the announcement that RAF Kinloss will close as a base following the decision to scrap the replacement fleet of Nimrod MRA4 aircraft.

Nine of the aircraft were due to be based at Kinloss and the UK government's decision to scrap the reconnaissance fleet of spy planes has effectively sealed the station's fate as an air base.

There is also mounting concern about the long-term future of RAF Lossiemouth, Britain's busiest base for fast jets, which is facing a battle with RAF Marham in Norfolk to be chosen as the sole remaining home for Britain's Tornado strike force.

Councillor George McIntyre, the convener of Moray Council, said the taskforce would seek urgent meetings with ministers from Westminster and Holyrood to discuss what sort of help will be made available to help Moray cope with the closure of RAF Kinloss, and at the same time develop a case for the retention of RAF Lossiemouth.

He stressed that one of the must urgent priorities would be to press for "clarity" from the government over the timeframe for the scaling down and eventual closure of Kinloss as an RAF base.

Councillor McIntyre said: "Our concern is the impact this is having on the personnel working at the base.

"It is bad enough for the community, but the servicemen and women don't know what is happening - is Kinloss to close this week, next week, next year or when? There is a huge lack of clarity over the future."

Referring to RAF Lossiemouth, he added: "What we don't want is a double whammy or a double death. The announcement about RAF Kinloss was described at yesterday's meeting as like a sudden death in the family because the RAF community are very much a part of the Moray family - and have been for over 70 years.

"I am very concerned about Lossie. Moray is more heavily dependent on MoD jobs than anywhere else in the UK and there is no way you can replace that number of jobs.

"Everybody is extremely disappointed but we recognise the decision about RAF Kinloss has been made and we have to move on and try to keep morale up."

Calum MacPherson, the Highlands and Islands Enterprise's area manager for Moray, said: "The Kinloss decision is a blow for Moray, but what the taskforce is saying is that local people are not about to take this lying down.

"This is a resilient community, with a strong record of partnership working.The public sector partners, local politicians and business leaders stand united to preserve local jobs and build a sustainable future."

The taskforce will get its first chance to press Moray's case when Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary, arrives for talks in Elgin today.

Councillor Pearl Paul, the leader of the SNP group on Moray Council, said: "We will have to quickly and carefully form a strategy which will ensure the economic future of Lossiemouth, Kinloss, Forres and Moray as a whole.

"It is vital that we attract inward investment for a varied, forward-looking programme for Moray. Hopefully we can capitalise on our strengths and build on our world famous brands as well as looking towards novel and innovative projects."