Council to set up Coryton task force (From Thurrock Gazette)

Coryton closure prompts calls for economic impact assessment

11:00am Tuesday 29th May 2012 in News

THURROCK Council has warned the closure of Coryton oil refinery will have a “severe” impact on the borough, and wants the Government to fund an immediate economic impact assessment.

It was announced yesterday that the refinery, in Stanford-le-Hope, is being wound down and is likely to be closed inside three months, after administrators Pricewaterhousecooper failed to find a buyer.

Council leader John Kent said the council is setting up a task force this week, backed by the Government, to help the workforce of around 850 people at the plant, off The Manorway, whose jobs are under threat.

He said: “If the worst happens it will have severe impacts on the borough, not just the staff immediately affected and their families, but those involved in the supply chain and further afield too, and that is why this is the time for us to prepare.

“Thurrock Council cannot ‘save’ Coryton, but it can and will do everything in its power to ease the impact of any closure of the refinery.

“We will be setting up a Taskforce this week, bringing together as many agencies as possible and co-ordinating their actions in the best interests of Thurrock and the people living and working here.

“Top of that agenda must be helping the people facing this bleak future, and I know just how distressing this can be as it has happened to me.

“These workers, these families, need our help and I am determined they’ll get it.”

Cllr Kent believes an economic impact assessment is needed immediately to “ensure the full facts of the issue are available for those working on possible solutions.”