Rural Development and the Caithness/ North Sutherland economy

Eann SinclairProgramme Manager

Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership

26th October 2009

The area

• approx. 27,000 population (declining)

• Ageing population

• Higher than average dependence on manufacturing and public sector employment

Current issues

• Dounreay plant in decommissioning – interim end-state 2025

• Site currently provides employment for approx 2,000

• Neighbouring Rolls-Royce operated Vulcan site likely to enter decommissioning in 2014 (265 employees)

A Strategy for Caithness & north Sutherland (2006)

To maintain, and if possible increase, the GDP of the Dounreay travel-to-work area by actively working to promote existing employment, encourage new employment and by promoting the area as an attractive place to live and work  

Action Plan – High PrioritiesEconomic Drivers• Develop a globally-significant marine energy industry around the Pentland Firth• Grow the Caithness engineering industry• Create a world-class tourism facility at john O’ Groats• Grow the area’s food and drink industry• Attract businesses and organisations to relocate to this areaEnabling activities• Develop services and infrastructure at Scrabster harbour• Develop Wick Harbour• Develop the area’s high-speed IT connectivity• Help ensure good transport links• Help ensure good access to finance for businesses

Regeneration Partnership

• Informal partnership of HIE, Highland Council, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Scottish Government.

• Executive Board (independent Chairman Sir Anthony Cleaver)

• Advisory Board (chairman Cllr. Sandy Park, Convener of Highland Council)

• Senior Officers’ Group (local budget holders in key partner bodies)

Highland CouncilDavid SutherlandAlex MacManus

NorthHighlandTourism

Jill McNicol+AN Other

CaithnessChamber ofCommerce

Trudy MorrisDebbi Stracey NDA

AnnaMacConnell

DSRLJune LoveKen Nicol

CNSRPEann Sinclair

Iona GunnHIE

FionaMacPhersonEilidh Gunn

Louise SmithRachel Skene

ClaireConway

The partnership resource

CaithnessPartnership

KoreenMacDougall

TheCrownEstate

DuncanMackay

The past 12 months• Caithness Chamber of Commerce revitalised• Centre for Energy & the Environment announced• MaREE project commences• Engineering Skills centre announced• Schools-level STEM project planning• New NES engineering facility at Bower opens• Caithness Beef & Lamb Ltd’s processing plant opens• North Highland Tourism funding announced• Wick Marina opens• Caithness Horizons opens• John O’ Groats Masterplan launched• “Blue” Data Centre plans announced

The past 12 months• Caithness Chamber of Commerce revitalised• Centre for Energy & the Environment announced• MaREE project commences• Engineering Skills centre announced• Schools-level STEM project planning• New NES engineering facility at Bower opens• Caithness Beef & Lamb Ltd’s processing plant opens• North Highland Tourism funding announced• Wick Marina opens• Caithness Horizons opens• John O’ Groats Masterplan launched• “Blue” Data Centre plans announced

The past 12 months• Caithness Chamber of Commerce revitalised• Centre for Energy & the Environment announced• MaREE project commences• Engineering Skills centre announced• Schools-level STEM project planning• New NES engineering facility at Bower opens• Caithness Beef & Lamb Ltd’s processing plant opens• North Highland Tourism funding announced• Wick Marina opens• Caithness Horizons opens• John O’ Groats Masterplan launched• “Blue” Data Centre plans announced

The past 12 months• Caithness Chamber of Commerce revitalised• Centre for Energy & the Environment announced• MaREE project commences• Engineering Skills centre announced• Schools-level STEM project planning• New NES engineering facility at Bower opens• Caithness Beef & Lamb Ltd’s processing plant opens• North Highland Tourism funding announced• Wick Marina opens• Caithness Horizons opens• John O’ Groats Masterplan launched• “Blue” Data Centre plans announced

Pentland Firth Marine Energy

• Pentland Firth leasing process almost completed• 20 applications for leases, at 42 sites (tidal and wave)• Grid connections• Environmental impacts• HIE/ CNSRP Inward Missions for marine device developers (18

companies) and local supply chain• Need to understand developer requirements

Atlantis Resources Corp – Solon device

The next 12 months• North Highland Tourism marketing campaign starts• Growth in food & drink sector• Digital exchanges enabled/ upgraded• Pentland Firth leases announced/ developers’ forum starts• Offshore wind leases awarded in Moray Firth• Local companies bidding for marine energy contracts• Secure commitments to manufacturing base for wave/ tidal devices• Scrabster harbour Phase 1 commences• DSRL staff transition planning• National Nuclear Archive construction phase starts• Secure inward investment from high energy users (eg. Data Centre)• Secure inward investment in key sectors

Aquamarine Power – Oyster® device 2009

The next 12 months• North Highland Tourism marketing campaign starts• Growth in food & drink sector• Digital exchanges enabled/ upgraded• Pentland Firth leases announced/ developers’ forum starts• Offshore wind leases awarded in Moray Firth• Local companies bidding for marine energy contracts• Secure commitments to manufacturing base for wave/ tidal devices• Scrabster harbour Phase 1 commences• DSRL staff transition planning• National Nuclear Archive construction phase starts• Secure inward investment from high energy users (eg. Data Centre)• Secure inward investment in key sectors

Audience Our Inward Investment Messages

Back Office and Contact Centres

•Skilled available workforce•Loyal staff and a pleasant working environment for all•Competitive labour costs•Attractive property solutions

Data Centres •Cool Climate•Green Power close to source•Cheaper land•Security•Interim measure to combat lack of grid connection

Tourism •Skilled workforce•Less expensive sites and properties•Natural, unspoilt and healthy environment•Historical significance•Demonstrated foot fall•Gap in the market

Renewable Energy •Skilled engineering base•Transference of skills from Dounreay•Geographical advantages of North Highlands located on the shores of the Pentland Firth•Structured public sector approach to encourage market by investing in infrastructure•The Crown Estate leasing of the seabed to marine energy device developers and Round 3 leases for offshore wind•Support of the Scottish Government

Public Sector jobs •Fragile economy•Political importance•Socio-Economic benefits

Why is this important?

Questions?