Scottish Government funding of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE): FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.


Information requested

You have requested that we provide information “as to exactly how much funding the Scottish Government has provided to HIE” in relation to the Space Hub Sutherland development and details on “how the funds are being accounted for”. You also requested information on “exactly where we are with the planning application”.

Response

The Scottish Government has not provided any funding to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the Space Hub Sutherland development. HIE’s project contribution is coming from their own budget. No funds have been released to them from Scottish Government specifically for the project.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise are currently working on a formal planning application which they intend to submit early in the new year.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy sets out his expectations of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as well as their budget allocation in a Strategic Guidance Letter. Highlands and Islands Enterprise have a published strategy and operational plan that outlines how they will focus delivery on their priorities. The agency also publish an annual report and accounts which reviews their activities over the course of a financial year, providing highlights of projects and the progress that has been made in meeting their objectives.

These documents are publicly available and can be found on the HIE website - https://www.hie.co.uk/about-us/our-purpose-and-priorities/

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.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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