An Lanntair beacon for HIE board

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will be holding its next public board meeting at the An Lanntair Arts Centre in Stornoway on Tuesday March 27, 2007.

An Lanntair has garnered a reputation for being one of the most dynamic small arts centres in Scotland since opening in 1985 - originally in the Stornoway Town Hall.

Now housed inside a magnificent architect-designed building, An Lanntair spent 10 years fundraising over £4.6m for the centre. Together with a Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Award and funding from several bodies including HIE Innse Gall, the dedicated arts centre opened its doors in October 2005.

Recently appointed chair for HIE Innse Gall, Finlay Macdonald, will begin proceedings on Tuesday when he welcomes the Board to the arts centre.

HIE chair William Roe said: "Scotland's island communities are inherently innovative and resilient - this is particularly true of the people and businesses here in the Outer Hebrides. Improving transport links and helping to deliver greater equivalence for islanders are key objectives for the HIE network so that communities can continue to diversify and strengthen their economic base, which will in turn boost confidence and stimulate the enterprising spirit for which our island communities are renowned."

Items on the meeting agenda will include HIE's response to the Draft (Scotland) Culture Bill and a discussion on the Western Isles' economic position following a presentation on local issues by area director for HIE Innse Gall, Donnie Macaulay.

Members of the public are invited to the meeting as observers and will be welcome to attend for all or part of the agenda, which can be read in advance from Thursday March 22 on the HIE website.

Board papers on the agenda items will also be available online at www.hie.co.uk/board.html or can be collected at the meeting. These documents are for comment and approval by the Board and do not represent HIE's final position on agenda items. 

Board members and senior staff will join those attending during tea and coffee at 1pm with business getting underway at 1.30pm.

HIE conducts eight board meetings annually at various venues around the Highlands and Islands.