Dounreay Stakeholder Group

Foreword from the Chairman

I am delighted that DSG members have given me their continued support and returned me as Chair of the Dounreay Stakeholder Group. Throughout my tenure, I am resolved to work collectively and transparently to ensure that the positive work that the DSG can be built upon and leveraged for positive change. As we move into the next phase of the Dounreay decommissioning programme and the mission to clean up our legacy site, focus must not drift from the community, our highly-skilled workforce and world class supply chain.

While Dounreay has been at the heart of the Caithness and North Sutherland community for over 60 years, unlike previous holders of this position I have only known the site during its decommissioning phase. Despite this, I am cognisant of how much our nuclear community and our two sites have contributed to, not just our region, but our country.

The Dounreay Stakeholder Group has a vital role to play in overseeing and scrutinising the work of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and the operators of the Dounreay site. As the Ministry of Defence (MoD) site at Vulcan also moves into decommissioning, we will continue to take an active interest in Vulcan and the reality of both of our nuclear sites having entered the decommissioning phase.

‘The Nuclear partners’ – NDA, NRS Dounreay and NRS sites – are committed to supporting economic activities for our area and this activity is more important than ever. Both the socio-economic subgroup and the wider membership will work alongside and support Focus North activities to establish a healthy and prosperous future for the next generation. It is in the interest of the UK and Scottish Government to see this future delivered and ensure that our community is at the heart of any meaningful ‘just transition’ initiatives.

Dounreay and Vulcan are both closure sites and it must be recognised that as the years roll forward the highly skilled and valued workforce will diminish. Although closure may be some years away, the importance of progressing a new economic agenda for the area is urgent and needs to be driven forward by all responsible parties.

DSG is ready and willing to play its part in lobbying national and devolved governments, statutory agencies and external bodies to support our regional transition. We believe that the newly reinvigorated Focus North remains the most efficient vehicle to deliver meaningful economic change through real partnership working.

Our focus is about making sure our area that has contributed so much isn’t forgotten, that our voices are being heard and that the nuclear partners, government and political representatives are playing their part. It has never been more important that, as a community, we need to drive forward the socio economic agenda in a dutiful and consistent manner.

Struan Mackie, DSG Chairman