Decision details

(i)       notes the announcement on 22 September that Stoneywood Mill has been put into Administration, and that over 300 staff have been made redundant;

(ii)       recalls the actions taken by the City Council working with Scottish Ministers and other partners in 2019, to prevent such an outcome at Stoneywood Mill by supporting a management buy-out;

(iii)      commends the workforce and its trade union Unite for their commitment to the Mill and their continuing efforts to protect jobs and to sustain the dynamism and diversity of the local economy in Aberdeen;

(iv)      recognises in particular the impact on the local communities on Donside, where Stoneywood Mill has been a major employer for over 250 years;

(v)      notes that the initial sale of business deadline passed on October 14 2022 without Interpath Advisory, the Administrators, identifying any deliverable transaction to secure the sale of Stoneywood Mill as an operational facility;

(vi)      notes that Scottish Enterprise has supported the company in the period up to its entering administration in October 2022, including by exploring all options for its continued operation;

(vii)     acknowledges the work by trade unions, Skills Development Scotland and its partners, including Aberdeen City Council and Business Gateway, in delivering the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) response to provide direct and immediate support to help the affected employees access new training and jobs and that this support should continue; and

(viii)    notes the verbal update provided at this meeting by the Chief Officer – City Growth.