Public Bodies in Highlands and Islands working together in light of Grangemouth situation

The Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group (HISCG) convened today(Thursday) at Northern Constabulary headquarters in Inverness to discuss the potential impact on the communities and services within the Highlands and Islands as a result of planned industrial action at Grangemouth oil refinery.

The HISCG consists of representatives from Northern Constabulary, constituent local authorities across the Highlands and Islands, health boards across the region, other emergency service organisations and relevant partner agencies.

The remit of this group is to ensure a consistent and effective method of support, communication, reassurance and continuity of normal business for the people and services within the Highlands and Islands.

Chairman of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group, Chief Constable Ian Latimer, said: “The safety of the public is paramount and communities should be reassured that the Police and partner agencies will play their part in ensuring this is maintained. We will continue to work together to minimise disruption to local communities, services and business.

“It is my understanding that if fuel usage remains at normal levels across the Highlands and Islands there will be enough to maintain supplies to the public for the duration of the strike and beyond. Therefore, I would advise the public not to panic buy.”

Meetings of the Strategic Co-ordinating Sub-group have been taking place all week ahead of today’s full SCG meeting in order to best position all agencies in terms of a co-ordinated respond to the consequences of any disruption in the supply of fuel.

Any other issues which require to be addressed across Highlands and Islands are also being discussed.

A further meeting of the SCG is expected to take place on Monday next week.