ARMY commanders have held talks with politicians and traders’ leaders to discuss a concerted attempt to offset the effects of a military barracks closing.

Ripon MP Julian Smith hosted a meeting of key organisations at the city’s Community House to discuss the impact of the decision to close the 21 Engineer Regiment’s Claro Barracks after 2017.

Hundreds of soldiers and their families will move out of Ripon as part of a £240m-a-year cost-cutting drive announced by the Ministry of Defence earlier this month. The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer has warned moving the regiment to Catterick Garrison will cause substantial damage to Ripon, both economically and socially.

Representatives from Ripon City, Harrogate Borough and North Yorkshire councils were joined at the meeting by Barry Dodd, chair of the North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Brigadier Greville Bibby, Commander of the Army in Yorkshire, Lt Col Jack Nicholson, Commanding Officer of 21 Engineer Regiment, and a representative of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Mr Smith said: “This meeting of key organisations was very positive with a determination from all to ensure there is support available for those affected directly and for the wider community and economy.

“I am grateful to all those who attended the meeting and pleased that the Future of Claro Action Group has now been formed to move discussions forward. I will support that group fully in the months ahead.”