This is our Guide to information. We have produced it under The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
The guide
Our guide to information:
- allows you to see what information is available (and what is not available) in relation to each class
- states what charges may be applied
- explains how to find the information easily
- provides contact details for enquiries and to get help with accessing the information
- explains how to request information that has not been published
The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EISR) provide a separate right of access to the environmental information that we hold. This Guide to information also contains details of the environmental information that we routinely make available.
Publication scheme
We need to adopt and maintain a publication scheme. We publish information under the scheme.
The publication scheme must:
- publish the classes of information that the authority makes routinely available
- tell the public how to access the information and what it might cost
We adopted the Scottish Information Commissioner’s Single Model Publication Scheme
This has been approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner
About us
Our key areas are:
Classes of information
We publish details of our classes of information on our website
Availability and formats
Where possible, we will publish our information on our website. We can offer alternative arrangements if you:
- cannot access the information online or
- by inspection at our offices
Our classes of information provide more details on the information available under the Guide.
Exempt information
We will publish the information we hold that falls within the classes of information in the Model Publication Scheme.
If a document contains information that is exempt (for example personal information or commercial interests), we will remove or redact (black out) the information before publication. We will explain why we have done this in our response to you.
Withheld information
There may be limited circumstances where information will be withheld from one of the classes of information. Information will only be withheld where the act or the EIRs expressly permits it.
Information may be withheld:
- where its disclosure would breach the law of confidentiality
- harm an organisation’s commercial interests
- endanger the protection of the environment
- if it is another person’s information, and its release would breach the data protection legislation
Whenever information is withheld, we will inform you of this. If you wish to complain about any information which has been withheld from you, refer to Section 8: Contact details for enquiries, feedback and complaints.
Charging policy
There is no charge to view or download information:
- from our website or
- to view information at our premises.
You must make an appointment to view information at our premises. There is no charge for providing digital copies of information by email or file transfer.
We may charge for costs associated with supplying information by hard copy or on non removable media. We will charge you no more than it cost us to do so.
We will always tell you what the charge is and how it has been calculated before providing the information to you.
We will not provide you with the information until payment has been received.
Our photocopying charges are shown below:
Size of paper/alternative format
Black and white pence per sheet
Colour pence per sheet
A4
10p
20p
A3
20p
40p
Postage costs will be charged at cost.
When providing copies of pre-printed publications, we will charge you no more than the cost per copy of the total print run.
Copyright policy
We hold the copyright for most information in this scheme. Much of this information can be copied or reproduced without our formal permission. This is provided:
- it is copied or reproduced accurately
- is not used in a misleading context
- that the source of the material is identified and accurately cited
If you intend to re-use information obtained from the scheme, and you are unsure whether can, request to re-use the information on our website.
Records management policy
Our Records Management Policy can be requested by contacting us. Our website provides details for enquires, feedback and complaints
Accessing other information
If the information you want is not available through our publication scheme, you can request it from us.
These requests are subject to certain exceptions or exemptions. If you want to request a copy of any information that we hold that is not available under the Model Publication Scheme (and described in this guide), contact us.
Contact us
If you are having trouble finding any document listed in our guide, then contact us.