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| Councillor Maureen Robinson |
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Councillor Maureen Robinson is cautiously optimistic that the former US base can again provide jobs for local people as well as training for our youngsters. Maureen, with the support of the Parish Council chairs the group of businessmen, former employees, local people and the county councillor which aims to restore employment on the site.
Local people remember that 200 highly skilled jobs were lost when the base closed so it is vital that every effort is made to bring them back. It isn't only the skilled jobs though. Some potential users of the site are keen to take on local youngsters as apprentices and trainees.
Maureen says, "We have been in contact with sizeable firms in the marine industry who are keen to use the state of the art facilities on the base. The District Council and the County Council are strongly supportive. The next step is to persuade the government's South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), who have expressed interest, to buy the site and rent it out to companies which are eager to take advantage of the facilities there.
Cllr Stan Wade says "The last thing we need on this site is more housing development. Local jobs for local people so that they don't have to travel elsewhere for work is all part of the sustainability agenda." |
