A group of public agencies involved in the economic development of the Highlands and Islands and delivery of millions of pounds of EU structural funds has closed its office in the heart of the Brussels bureaucracy.
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland European Partnership (HIEP) made two staff redundant and incurred almost £250,000 “associated costs” closing its base at Scotland House, overlooking the European Parliament.
HIEP, which comprises the region’s seven local authorities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is now using the services of the Scotland Europa organisation, which is based in the same building.
Yesterday a spokesman for HIE said the new arrangement was “better and more cost-effective.” He added that the decision had been taken a “long time,” before the June 23 referendum, which saw the UK vote to leave the UK
HIEP’s website describes the Brussels office as “an ideal base for for members and officers conducting business in Brussels as well as a permanent base for our staff.”
Its closure was revealed in HIE’s funding approvals list for April-June 2016, which was recently published online and showed the development organisation’s regional development unit footed £114,195 of the £248,607 costs.
The spokesman said the costs covered redundancy payments for the two staff, which, under Brussels regulations, were higher than in the UK.
Scotland Europa is part of Scottish Enterprise, the larger of Scotland’s two economic development agencies. It was established in 1992 and promotes Scotland’s interests across the institutions of the European Union and to the representatives of Europe’s regions and member states.
In a statement on the office closure, HIE said: “The Highlands and Islands European Partnership is a partnership between key public agencies in the region. It is made up of all seven local authorities, UHI and HIE.
“Following a review, the decision was taken to close the office in Brussels. The new arrangement in place ensures we continue to work with partners to engage with EU and maximise benefits for the region.”