Communities affected by the closure of Scotland’s last coal-fired power station deserve dedicated government funding, it has been claimed.

Members of Fife Council said they were concerned about the lack of support as Scottish Power prepares to wind down the Longannet plant in Fife.

An economic recovery plan was drafted to outline the case for £9m of funding to mitigate the closure but business minister Fergus Ewing broke the news to council leader David Ross that no dedicated fund was available at a recent meeting of the Longannet Task Force.

Fife Council’s depute leader and executive spokeswoman for planning and economy Lesley Laird said on Wednesday: "This rejection is also being viewed with some concern by communities and it is important that colleagues across south west Fife and beyond continue to work together to ensure that the proposed local action plan is adequately resourced and delivered before the closure of Longannet on March 31."

The economic recovery plan outlines a commitment by Fife, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and North Ayrshire councils and Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland to collectively support and regenerate the affected communities.

Ms Laird added: "Given the size and scale of the impact that the closure of Longannet will have on communities, it is fundamental and essential that the action plan is financially resourced.

"When Hall's of Broxburn closed in West Lothian everyone recognised the impact and the Scottish Government were generous in their funding of nearly £12m of additional resources to the area to fund, not just an immediate recovery plan but a legacy of activities.

"Longannet is equally worthy of such financial resource and commitment. Its communities deserve no less."

The Longannet Task Force was set up by the Scottish Government, local authorities and partner agencies last August after it was announced that the power station was closing.

Scottish Power employs 270 people at Longannet, with more jobs in the supply chain relying on the site.

Business minister Fergus Ewing said: “The Longannet Task Force is focussing on the needs of the workers, businesses and communities impacted by the early closure of Longannet Power Station.

"We are committed to working with all the members of the Longannet Task Force to determine how to deliver the best outcomes for those most affected by closure. We need to ensure resources are being used to best effect and that avenues of potential funding are properly explored.

"That work builds on the huge investment that the Scottish Government and its agencies already bring to the wider area. In Fife, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and North Ayrshire, the local authority areas most impacted by the early closure of Longannet, we are investing in physical infrastructure such as electrifying rail lines and building the Forth Replacement crossing, in digital, in college provision and in supporting businesses to create new jobs and growth.

Through PACE, we are working with the workforce and with individuals at risk of redundancy. Across the public sector we need to ensure that our resources are being used as effectively as possible and Task Forces exist to join up our response to maximise the impact.

"Through the Longannet Task Force we will continue to support workers and contractors and work with communities to mitigate the impact of closure."