Review report recommends HIE keep its own board

The second phase of a review of Scotland’s enterprise and skills agencies has suggested that Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which supports businesses in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Highlands, Argyll and Moray, should have its own board.

The view comes a year on from phase one report recommendations that a new national board should co-ordinate the activities of HIE, Scottish Enterprise and other bodies.

The report, by Professor Lorne Crerar, into a new strategic board covering Scotland’s enterprise agencies recommends replacing existing agency boards with repurposed Delivery Boards with smaller memberships and more focussed remits.

The potential winding up of HIE’s own board has been politically controversial and the latest guidelines from this week’s report, which could “pave the way” for the retention of an autonomous HIE, were welcomed by Economy Secretary Keith Brown and Kate Forbes, SNP MSP Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.

The economy secretary said: “We thank Prof Crerar for taking the time to speak to each of the four agencies, their chairs and a number of experts, with these discussions forming the basis of his recommendations, we will now consider the detail and make a statement to parliament on our next steps in the next few weeks.

“We remain committed to this review and will continue to listen to the views of those with an interest.

“It is essential that we do not lose sight of our aim of giving our businesses and individuals the right access and support to national services which will help to boost Scotland’s economy and deliver our ambition of Scotland ranking among the top quartile of OECD countries in terms of productivity, equality, wellbeing and sustainability.”

However, Shetland and Orkney Lib Dem MSPs Tavish Scott and Liam McArthur said “control from the centre” was still being proposed.

In a joint statement, Lib Dems Mr Scott and Mr McArthur said: “This report confirms everything a centralising government wants.

“This means absolute control by ministers of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

“Lorne Crerar should have simply done what he was asked and produced a justification for the HIE board abolition.

“His proposal is even worse. This is control from the centre. A delivery board that will do exactly what it is told by ministers.”

The report was given a cautious welcome by Rural & Island Communities spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, John Finnie MSP, who said: “Whilst it is early days, this report can pave the way for the retention of the Board of HIE and importantly HIE’s cultural and social responsibilities.

“Concerns about HIE’s future were never about not wanting them to collaborate with other enterprise bodies such Scottish Enterprise, nor about having shared public objectives. Indeed, the successful conclusion to the potential uncertainty that was faced by the Alcan site exemplified the importance of joint working.

“What was and remains important was local decision making. Basically, who can write cheques. I am grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for his willingness to engage on this issue with me.

“Whilst the devil will always be in the detail I have growing confidence that this report will facilitate the retention of an autonomous HIE board.”