Council leader accuses Scottish Government of turning its back on Paisley

Council leader accuses Scottish Government of turning its back on Paisley

Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said:

“It is astonishing that in the same week the First Minister announced a taskforce to prevent jobs leaving Paisley, we learn Scottish Government ministers have actually approved a plan for their own enterprise agency to close its office in the town.

“I have written to the First Minister and to the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise to urge them to reverse this shameful decision.

“The council is committed to regenerating Renfrewshire’s economy and working to create jobs for local people through ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre and our bid for UK City of Culture, so it beggars belief that the agency meant to share our goals is in fact planning to pull out of Paisley.

“It is even more disappointing that Scottish Enterprise made this decision without first discussing with the council if we could help them find suitable premises in the town.

“In my letter to the chief executive, I made clear that we will do anything we can to ensure they can keep a presence in central Paisley, even considering accommodating their staff in our own Council Headquarters.

“Renfrewshire is on the cusp of dramatic initiatives that have the potential to transform the local economy for the better.

“I am calling for the Scottish Government to live up to the commitment made to Paisley by the First Minister just four days ago and intervene to stop Scottish Enterprise leaving the town.”