Angus Council is set to carry out a full impact assessment in preparation of 45 Commando being replaced by the army at RM Condor.
Arbroath councillor Donald Morrison called for preparations to be made to ensure a “clean and clear” handover, with no housing, social care or health issues for the new troops set to come to the town.
As part of a restructuring of UK defence, the marines will move out of Arbroath within the next five to seven years after four decades in the town, making way for an as yet unknown army regiment.
Although the size of the incoming group has not been revealed, Mr Morrison said it was vital to ensure procedures are in place to allow as smooth a transition as possible.
He wrote to the council’s chief executive, who agreed that an investigation should be carried out in order for the proper infrastructure to be in place for the new soldiers and their families.Preparing for army’s needsMr Morrison wrote, “We have got five years to be prepared for what is going to be a different demographic coming into the town, with completely different needs.
“We have got ample time to make any changes that are required for the likes of education and social services and as fond as people have been of 45 Commando, we now need to accept that they are leaving and prepare for the future.”
The 45 Commando unit took over RM Condor in 1971 after it was vacated by the Fleet Air Arm.
The troops were originally moved to Arbroath to be closer to Norway, primarily for Arctic training to allow the UK to deal with the Soviet threat.
In 2003 the unit’s importance to the area was officially recognised when, shortly after they returned from service in Iraq, they paraded through the town centre after being granted the freedom of Arbroath.