An SNP MP’s bid to diffuse the row over the scrapping of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) board has been dismissed as an “empty gesture”.
Western Isles councillor Donald Crichton said Ian Blackford’s proposal “does nothing” to stop the enterprise agency being “diminished” by the changes.
Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Mr Blackford has unveiled what he believes is a “win-win” strategy for the development agency.
Mr Blackford has written to Economy Secretary Keith Brown proposing that the controversial new national board goes ahead, but that HIE retains its own management or advisory board as well.
But Councillor Crichton dismissed the compromise proposal.
He said: “Mr Blackford’s suggestion does nothing to remove the fact that through this misguided decision economic development in the Highlands and islands is going to be diminished.
“An advisory or local management board as Mr Blackford suggests would be an empty gesture without having any key strategic role.
“Disbanding the only dedicated board for strategic economic development in the most fragile area of the country will remove key decision-making and influence for our communities.”
Scottish ministers provoked fury at the end of last year by confirming plans to axe HIE’s dedicated board and replace it with a new panel overseeing several organisations.
Critics claimed it would undermine 50 years of progress in the region, and the Press and Journal’s Keep HIE Local campaign has been backed by all opposition parties, Highland Council, trade unions, SCDI and former chairmen and chief executives of the agency.
The Press and Journal previously reported that Mr Blackford and other SNP politicians in the Highlands were working behind the scenes to resolve the issue.
Mr Crichton, who is vice-chairman of Western Isles Council’s sustainable development committee, added: “There is real danger that the government doesn’t see the Highlands and islands as a priority any more and this decision seems to confirm that.
“Meanwhile, our depopulation crisis grows as influence and people ebb away.
“This review should have been the opportunity to redraw HIE’s boundaries with a focus on the islands and other vulnerable areas in the Highlands and placing the more populous and prosperous Inverness under the umbrella of Scottish Enterprise.
“With a strengthened remit and a properly resourced budget the projected population decline and economic challenges could be seriously tackled.”
The Scottish Government insisted that HIE would continue to be “locally based, managed and directed” despite the changes.
It insisted the reforms would “protect the unique service” the agency offers the region.