240 posts at Forthside set to go by 2022
Stirling was this week dealt a jobs blow with the announcement by the Ministry of Defence that the military base at Forthside is to close.
A total of 90 military posts and 150 civilian jobs will be lost by 2022 when the facilities are re-located and the site closes for good.
Stirling MP Steven Paterson has asked Defence Secretary Michael Fallon for further details of the announcement as it affects Stirling.
MSP Bruce Crawford said the disposal of the Forthside site would “bring to an end the long and historic direct connection that Stirling has had with the military”.
The base at Stirling is one of 91 being disposed of by the MoD in a bid to save money and release land for housing.
Part of the Forthside site is occupied by Meadowforth Barracks, headquarters of 51st Highland Brigade, 154 Medical Squadron, part of 225 Scottish Medical Regiment, and A Company, 7 Scots.
It was announced in November 2013 that the HQ of 51st Brigade was set to move to Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, with between 60 and 70 staff. Facilities are to be found in Scotland for the remaining military elements on the Meadowforth site.
Other parts of the Forthside site accommodate Joint Supply Chain Services
(JSCS) and Defence Support Group (DSG) who repair, overhaul and store military vehiclesandlightweaponsandhaveabout 70 staff.
DSG was an arms-length company of the MoD, which was last year taken over engineering support group Babcock International. The storage element is run by Swiss-based transportation and logistics company Kuehne Nagel International. It’s planned to re-locate JSCS and DSG to Leuchars Barracks within six years.
Unite convener at DSG Forthside Ronnie Simpson said he would be seeking meetings with Mr Paterson, Mr Crawford and representatives of Stirling Council to discuss the implications of the announcement.
“For us, it’s not a closure, it is a re-location,”he added.“Our job will be to argue that the relocation should take place in within the local Stirling area retaining the skill. that we have here.”
Mr Paterson said:“This announcement clearly has significant implications for the over-240 jobs associated with Forthside, and I raised this with the at the first opportunity with the Defence Secretary in the Commons in Monday when the estates review was announced.
“I await further details from him on how this affects operations currently taking place in Stirling. I will be seeking an early meeting with union representatives to discuss this as soon as these details are known.”
Mr Crawford added:“I intend to meet with those affected by the decision to help provide whatever assistance and help that I can. Whatever the future now holds for the Forthside site the task now must be to create the maximum number of jobs possible, on the site, to help boost Stirling’s economy.”
Stirling Council leader Johanna Boyd said:“While there will be understandable concern among those affected by this decision, it is important that we make clear that we have aspirations for the site as part of our ambitious City Deal bid for Stirling that will create jobs and opportunities. We will continue to work in partnership with the MoD to ensure that we maximise the potential of the Forthside site for Stirling and its people.”
Unite national officer Mike McCartney reacted angrily to Mr Fallon’s announcement. He said:“In many instances the bases earmarked for closure are at the heart of their local communities providing a source of decent and secure employment.
“Their closure will be a severe blow to the local economies where they are located and the people whose livelihoods depend on them.”