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Post-Wylfa group looks to future | Post-Wylfa group looks to future |
(20 minutes later) | |
The body developing an economic strategy for north west Wales ahead of Wylfa nuclear power station's closure in 2010 is to meet for the first time. | The body developing an economic strategy for north west Wales ahead of Wylfa nuclear power station's closure in 2010 is to meet for the first time. |
Môn Menai is a partnership between the Welsh Assembly Government, public bodies and the business sector in Gwynedd and Anglesey. | Môn Menai is a partnership between the Welsh Assembly Government, public bodies and the business sector in Gwynedd and Anglesey. |
It was set up by the Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies late last year, who will chair the inaugural meeting. | It was set up by the Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies late last year, who will chair the inaugural meeting. |
An estimated 1,500 jobs will be lost when Wylfa is decommissioned. | An estimated 1,500 jobs will be lost when Wylfa is decommissioned. |
However, some jobs will remain on the Anglesey site even after the station closes, as the decommissioning process is set to take years. | However, some jobs will remain on the Anglesey site even after the station closes, as the decommissioning process is set to take years. |
Nevertheless, Mr Davies has been under political pressure not to leave everything to the last minute. | Nevertheless, Mr Davies has been under political pressure not to leave everything to the last minute. |
Last November, he pledged that new European cash will go to the Môn Menai partnership. | Last November, he pledged that new European cash will go to the Môn Menai partnership. |
The minister has been criticised by members of the North West Wales Economic Forum, who said he either could not or would not put a figure on how much money would be available to pay for the regeneration. | The minister has been criticised by members of the North West Wales Economic Forum, who said he either could not or would not put a figure on how much money would be available to pay for the regeneration. |
Wylfa, along with its main customer - the smelting plant Anglesey Aluminium - is one of the biggest employers on the island. | Wylfa, along with its main customer - the smelting plant Anglesey Aluminium - is one of the biggest employers on the island. |
In December, an assembly-commissioned report found Anglesey will bear the brunt of job losses in the area in the wake of Wylfa's closure. | In December, an assembly-commissioned report found Anglesey will bear the brunt of job losses in the area in the wake of Wylfa's closure. |
'Pessimistic' | |
Anglesey Council leader Gareth Winston Roberts said the report brought home the "huge economic blow" the closure would bring. | Anglesey Council leader Gareth Winston Roberts said the report brought home the "huge economic blow" the closure would bring. |
The group, meeting on Tuesday, aims to develop an economic strategy for north west Wales post 2010. | |
But some figures on Anglesey have said the group should have met earlier and involved a wider range of people in the area. | |
Anglesey Councillor and former Holyhead mayor, Jeff Evans, said: "I'd like to say I was optimistic but in fact I'm pessimistic. | |
"The reason for that is I see agencies come and go and I don't see people coming up with many answers to the difficulties we have on Anglesey. | |
"It's too little, too late. Wylfa has been a problem known in this area for the last 10-15 years. | |
"The right people should have been in place and the answers developed by now." |