Highlands and Islands Enterprise scrutiny and events: FOI release

Information requested

How are HIE's various activities scrutinised, and the results made available to the voter/general public?

Regarding the Agency's 'engagement events', for example the one recently held covering HIE Shetland. Is there a formal requirement for HIE to hold such events, and if so to what schedule?

Is there a formal code of conduct as to how the events are to be organised, and if so what are the eseential points of the code?

Specifically, who is able to attend (to include businesses, public and third sector organisations, community groups, interested private individuals, media representatives, etc,) and how are participants selected and invited?

Are records made of engagement events and their proceedings eg filming, recording, notes taking, then put online for public access, and if not, why not?

Can any individual/organisation seeking to attend be excluded, and if so on what formal grounds?

Response

HIE’s activities are scrutinised in a variety of ways. The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise meet with HIE’s Chair and Chief Executive on a regular basis to discuss the work HIE is taking forward with businesses and communities to support economic growth across the Highlands and Islands, and the alignment of this work with Scottish Government policies. Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with HIE and work closely with the agency to monitor performance.

Each year, Ministers set out their expectations in a letter of strategic guidance, which HIE use as the basis for developing their annual operating plan. HIE report each year on their performance against objectives set out in their operating plan as part of their annual report and accounts. These reports are published on HIE’s website at Annual Report & Accounts | Highlands and Islands Enterprise | HIE.

In regards to HIE’s engagement activities, there is no formal requirement for the agency to hold such events, and the organisation of events is a matter for HIE. Therefor, this is a formal notice under section 17(1) stating the Scottish Government does not hold some of the information requested. We would suggest contacting HIE directly using the following contact information:

Address – An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA

Telephone – 01463 245 245

Email – enquiries@hient.co.uk

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.