Great news but plan for the future

Sir, – After the long wait, full of anxiety, which the people of Moray have put up with, the news that RAF Lossiemouth will be saved is surely welcomed.

However, there is a lesson to be learned for everyone. Moray Council, local businesses and the general public must be aware of the need to prepare for a rainy day in the future, when such a calamity may face the area again.

It was taken for granted that the Moray economy would always be supported by RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth, but what has happened in the past year should act as a wake-up call, not to take things for granted. I hope all the council and community leaders start to look at the future, and take into account what Moray can do without the two bases, and plan well ahead for that.

There was mention in ‘The Northern Scot’ that they would perhaps look at re-evaluating the rates on the High Street if Lossie should have closed, but why only if it closed? Surely, after the announcement that it will remain open, the rates should still be looked at, with a view to helping re-generate the High Street.

Let’s hope that the business community don’t sit on their laurels following this announcement. You never know when such an issue may raise its ugly head again, and if it does, then a business plan must be in place to ensure Moray can survive what could be a disaster.

Yours etc,

Maurice O’Donnell,

Trinidad and Tobago.