“it’s public knowledge” freedom of information law in scotland presentation to the scottish...
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“It’s public knowledge”Freedom of information law in Scotland
Presentation to the Scottish Civil Justice Council
Susan Gray
10 June 2013
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Webinar overview
Access to information in Scotland – who’s who?What does the legislation say?Current and recent developmentsDealing with FOI requests – what will it mean for you?Where to go for helpQuestions
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Access to information in Scotland
Type of information Which law? Which Commissioner?
General information Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Scottish Information Commissioner
Environmental information
Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004
Scottish Information Commissioner
Personal information Data Protection Act 1998 UK Information Commissioner
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The Scottish Information Commissioner
Rosemary AgnewNominated by Scottish Parliament Appointed by HM The Queen1 May 2012Six year termFormerly:
CEO of Scottish Legal Complaints CommissionAssistant Ombudsman, Local Government Ombudsman
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What does the legislation say?
1 General Entitlement
(1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.
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What does the legislation say?
1 General Entitlement
(1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.
![Page 7: “It’s public knowledge” Freedom of information law in Scotland Presentation to the Scottish Civil Justice Council Susan Gray 10 June 2013](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022062515/56649ce05503460f949aad63/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
What does the legislation say?
1 General Entitlement
(1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.
![Page 8: “It’s public knowledge” Freedom of information law in Scotland Presentation to the Scottish Civil Justice Council Susan Gray 10 June 2013](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022062515/56649ce05503460f949aad63/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
What does the legislation say?
1 General Entitlement
(1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.
![Page 9: “It’s public knowledge” Freedom of information law in Scotland Presentation to the Scottish Civil Justice Council Susan Gray 10 June 2013](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022062515/56649ce05503460f949aad63/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
What does the legislation say?
1 General Entitlement
(1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.
![Page 10: “It’s public knowledge” Freedom of information law in Scotland Presentation to the Scottish Civil Justice Council Susan Gray 10 June 2013](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022062515/56649ce05503460f949aad63/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
What does the legislation say?
1 General Entitlement
(1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.
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Reasons for Refusal
Information is not held
Cost is excessive
Vexatious or repeated
Exemption applies
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The FOISA exemptions
Otherwise accessible Prohibition on disclosure Future publication
Relations within UK Formulation of policy Prejudice to conduct of public affairs
National security & defence
International relations Commercial interests
Investigations by public authorities
Law enforcement Confidentiality
Court records etc. Personal information Health, safety & environment
Audit functions Communications with Her Majesty
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Don’t forget the EIRs!!
Recognising environmental info
Elements
Factors
Measures
What do I do if I get a request?
Ask “is it environmental”
Check with your FOI officer
Guidance on OSIC website
EIRs
Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004
Subject to FOISA = subject to EIRS!
EU Directive
Reports
Analyses
State of human health
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FOISA vs EIRs
FOISA EIRsFormat In writing only Verbal permitted
Defining ‘public authority’
In Schedule 1 Wider definition
Charging Fees regulations Schedule of charges
Cost limit Upper limit of £600 No upper/lower limit
What info is held? Excludes info held on behalf of another Does not exclude info held on behalf of another
Transfer of request Does not allow transfers Allows transfers
Extending time limits 20 working days –no extensions Can be extended 40 working days
Active dissemination Publication scheme Active and systematic
Withholding information Exemptions Exceptions
Public interest test Applies to some exemptions Applies to all exceptions
Prohibition on disclosure Prohibitions apply under FOISA Prohibitions overruled under EIRs
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Current and recent developments
The FOISA Amendment Act 2013
Consultation on s59
Designation of cultural and leisure bodies
Collection of FOI statistics
Learning and development strategy
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What will it mean for you?
Why bother?
A simple checklist to keep you straight:
Know who is responsible for FOI in your authority? Familiarise yourself with your authority’s FOI procedures – especially
what to do when you receive a request? Ensure you can recognise an FOI request? Ensure you can recognise an EIR request? Observe records management policies and procedures? Do you hold information – be alert!
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Hints and Tips 1:The three step process
1. ASK Request the information
2. ASK AGAIN Request the authority reviews its decision
3. APPEAL Appeal to the Commissioner
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Hints and tips 2:Recognising a request
Question Is it a FOI request?
1 What is your website address?
2 Please send me your annual report.
3 Please provide me with the Council’s expenditure on staff expenses for 2012.
4 Under FOISA, I request a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Scottish Civil justice Council held on 10 June 2013.
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Hints and tips 2:Recognising a request
Question Is it a FOI request?
1 What is your website address?
2 Please send me your annual report.
3 Please provide me with the Council’s expenditure on staff expenses for 2012.
4 Under FOISA, I request a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Scottish Civil justice Council held on 10 June 2013.
Does not have to be complex or difficultNo need to mention the FOI ActNo need to say who you are, why you are asking, or what you will use the information forDoes not have to be made to a designated individual
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Hints and tips 3:Records management matters
“This decision involves perhaps the most serious catalogue of failings to search for and find information that the Commissioner has ever had to deal with”.
22 Feb 2012
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Hints and tips 4:Be alert! Do you hold it?
Council holds information on your behalf?
You hold information on council’s behalf?
And …
Correspondence using personal mails/mobiles?
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Hints and tips 4:Be alert! Do you hold it?
Council holds information on your behalf? Covered
You hold information on council’s behalf? Covered
And …
Correspondence using personal mails/mobiles? Likely to be covered!
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Where to go for help
Your FOI practitioner
Our staff
Our website
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Further information:
Susan Gray
www.itspublicknowledge.info 01344 464610
@ [email protected]@ [email protected]
Questions?