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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Post-Wylfa group looks to future | Post-Wylfa group looks to future |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| The body developing an economic strategy for north west Wales ahead of Wylfa nuclear power station's closure in 2010 has met 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 chaired 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 several years. | However, some jobs will remain on the Anglesey site even after the station closes, as the decommissioning process is set to take several years. |
| The nuclear plant was one of the island's major employers | The nuclear plant was one of the island's major employers |
| 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. |
| Mr Davies said: "Over the coming months and years we'll be able to come up with a very clear strategy and then we'll look at what are going to be the priorities. | Mr Davies said: "Over the coming months and years we'll be able to come up with a very clear strategy and then we'll look at what are going to be the priorities. |
| "With Wylfa being decommissioned in 2010 we can't let the grass grow under our feet and that's why I've set up the Môn Menai programme to deal with that position. | "With Wylfa being decommissioned in 2010 we can't let the grass grow under our feet and that's why I've set up the Môn Menai programme to deal with that position. |
| "We've got a longer lead time than we've had in previous occasions when there's been changes like this." | "We've got a longer lead time than we've had in previous occasions when there's been changes like this." |
| 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. |
| 'Diversify' | 'Diversify' |
| 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, which met on Tuesday, aims to develop an economic strategy for north west Wales post 2010. | |
| The island's AM, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said: "What we need to do is look at new ways of regenerating the economy. | The island's AM, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said: "What we need to do is look at new ways of regenerating the economy. |
| "We need to diversify and we need to look at the news skills that are necessary. | "We need to diversify and we need to look at the news skills that are necessary. |
| "With the closure of Wylfa, it's important that as I, the elected member, I look at all the options. | "With the closure of Wylfa, it's important that as I, the elected member, I look at all the options. |
| "It is a difficult situation and there are no easy answers. Successive governments in the past have not recognised the need for a diverse economy [on Anglesey]." | "It is a difficult situation and there are no easy answers. Successive governments in the past have not recognised the need for a diverse economy [on Anglesey]." |
| Some figures on Anglesey have said the group should have met earlier and involved a wider range of people in the area. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "The right people should have been in place and the answers developed by now." |