Dounreay chief in events cash row
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THE new operator of Dounreay has come under fire for withdrawing its support for a number of local events after securing the site clean-up contract.
Retired minister the Rev Ronnie Johnstone has criticised Babcock Dounreay Partnership for pulling out of funding events such as the Halkirk Highland Games, the County Show and the Halkirk country-and-western festival after winning the contract for decommissioning the site in a £1.6 billion deal in April.
The firm had previously supported all three events but has since decided to stop its donations.
Speaking at the latest Dounreay Stakeholder Group meeting in Thurso, Mr Johnstone, a member of the group, likened Babcock’s decision to young men courting – after they manage to get the wedding ring on, they no longer put in as much effort to the relationship.
"These types of decisions don’t fit with maintaining its socioeconomic commitments in Caithness," he claimed.
"Over the last number of years Babcock and other companies that bid for the contract were most keen to be seen helping support local events, but that has gone.
"What evidence is there that will encourage a cynic like me to believe anything else they say. There is a public perception that now they have the contract they are no longer willing to support events and, unfortunately, perception is reality."
Babcock executive and managing director of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd Roger Hardy said his company had been extremely supportive of events in Caithness. He revealed that last year 83 per cent of charitable donations made by Babcock worldwide went to causes in the county, but argued the focus is now on employment opportunities.
"Our socioeconomic work is about boosting the area’s gross domestic product and that is where the prioritising of funds should be," he said.
"It is reality that when you are in competition with rival bidders, you put on and support promotional events and you do it deliberately.
"Once the competition is over, you don’t and you worry about the next issue – any other business in any other location would act in the same way. I know that during the competition process we chose specifically to support a number of local events, but we no longer need to do that.
"In terms of charitable donations last year, I think Caithness had its fair share, but that will not continue as our efforts are fixed on jobs, economic development and growth.
"What we need to do now is promote Caithness and North Sutherland to the wider area and focus our efforts on what can bring the work in."
Mr Hardy said the company is focused on maintaining its socioeconomic commitments and spoke of potential manufacturing opportunities and new business ventures at the site and in the surrounding area.
