Council united in support for just transition funding
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MORAY Council has welcomed Scottish Government "just transition" cash for the area.
SNP Councillor Shona Morrison submitted a motion to welcome funding for local projects.
The Council unanimously agreed the motion at today's (December 7) meeting, which also asks the UK government to provide a similar level of funding.
Introducing her motion, Cllr Morrison said: "We were delighted with the announcement earlier this year from the Scottish Government of over £2 million investment in Moray.
"These projects include the Findhorn Watershed project, the Findhorn eco-village park, the Moray Just Transition Masterplan and the Cabrach Distillery.
"This commitment of a £500 million Just Transition plan for Moray and the north east is essential both in terms of protecting the environment and creating jobs.
"People in the north east were incredible disappointed when the UK government chose not to support their bid for the UK's first carbon capture and storage facility.
"We urge the council leader to write to the UK chancellor to ask that the UK government matches the Scottish government-level investment in just transition funding for the north east and Moray considering the billions worth of additional revenue that has been generated for the treasury."
Fellow SNP member Councillor Scott Lawrence seconded the motion.
He emphasised the importance of the funding in easing the impact of slowdown in the energy sector.
He said: "The Just Transition Fund represents a £500 million investment in Moray and the north east of Scotland.
"It is about transitioning people away and giving them the opportunity to find and create employment in new areas based on an economy in the north of Scotland around green energy.
"With all this in mind, the alignment with the Council's own net zero targets and the potential to create long term, sustainable jobs in the local area I ask that fellow councillors back this motion and ask the UK government to match the ambition and foresight of the Scottish Government in their £500 million investment in the people of Moray and the north east of Scotland."
Green councillor Van Der Horn said: "I am broadly in agreement with this.
"I would just like to emphasise, that just transition is also about benefitting communities in the North East and it is about engaging with local communities.
"I know this is been a very key part of just transition approach and the only thing I would suggest as an amendment is that in writing to the UK government there is some recognition of the benefits of this approach as a progressive example of just transition that could apply to the whole of the UK."
Cllr Morrison and Cllr Lawrence agreed to include their motion, before it was unanimously agreed.
