Councils form plan to run enterprise body

LOCAL authorities should be allowed to take over the role of Highlands and Islands Enterprise if the development body is disbanded, MSPs will be told next week.

The Scottish Parliament's economy, energy and tourism committee is reviewing Scotland's enterprise networks, with fears that HIE could be merged with Scottish Enterprise.

Members will hold an evidence gathering session in Skye on Monday, 1 November.

Ian Ross, the Highland council's development committee chairman, said: "If further major change is coming, we need to be ready with a back-up plan. A single enterprise agency for Scotland is not in our best interests.

"That is why we are opting for a joint board along similar lines to the Northern Joint Police Board and the Highland and Islands Fire Board, with far greater democratic accountability."