Weekly Update, 25th January 2010

I have had discussions this week with colleagues from HIE on how best to identify and attract to this area businesses which are high users of energy.

Met to discuss revisions to the Pentland Firth “Road Map”, and how we can best capture employment opprtunities following the forthcoming announcement from the Crown Estate on leases of the seabed in the Pentland Firth.

Finalising the first version of our Master programme, which I hope to issue for consultation by the end of next week.

I have been coordinating the creation of a presentation to potential bidders for the Dounreay PBO contract. The presentation will be made next week in Wick at the first part of the NDA’s Industry Day. The second part will be held in Glasgow in early March. In addition to CNSRP Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver and myself, Trudy Morris (Caithness Chamber of Commerce), David Alexander (Thurso & Wick Trades Council), David Whiteford (North Highland Initiative) and Donald MacBeath (North Highland College) will outline the opportunities available in this area to the successful bidder, and also present our vision for the future.

Took part with other Dounreay Stakeholder Group members in a useful meeting with senior representatives from Babcock International, UKAEA Ltd and DSRL regarding their early views on Dounreay and issues affecting both workforce and the local community.