Ten-year Fife vision to focus on employment and the economy

A vision for a fairer Fife will focus on creating a stronger economy and more jobs.

Consultation on the new Plan for Fife is continuing until the end of this month.

It is the first time Fife Council and its partners have created a single plan which outlines a vision for the next decade.

Fife Council’s economy convener Altany Craik said: “People need jobs – better employment opportunities can have a huge impact on tackling poverty in our communities and this plan focuses on growing Fife’s economy and creating local jobs for local people.

“We have a real challenge here in Fife – some areas are doing better than others – but working with our partners we are aiming to make a big difference over the next 10 years.”

The plan outlines a number of challenges facing the region, including low productivity, high levels of unemployment in some areas and a difficult future economic climate.

The councillor added: “The mid-Fife area has one of the highest levels of unemployment in Scotland, despite the fact that both Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy are two of Fife’s three main areas of employment.

“The area has experienced a number of company closures over recent years and our dated industrial estates and the general shortage of modern commercial business property has also hindered attempts to attract new investment into the region.

“We need to make better connections with people, businesses and places, not just in Fife, but with the rest of the world.”

Many successful projects are making a difference, he added.

For more information visit fifedirect.org.uk/letstalk.