Freedom of Information

•  Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOI(S)A)
• Information and Guidance
• Making a Freedom of Information Request
• Freedom of Information Requests and Responses

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOI(S)A)

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 came into force on 1 January 2005.  The Act aims to increase openness and accountability in government and across the public sector by ensuring that people have the right to access information held by Scottish public authorities.  People will be able to see and questions how public bodies like the Council work and how decisions are made.

The Act applies to practically all public bodies in Scotland, including local authorities, the NHS, Colleges and Universities, the Police, the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.  The Act also applies to companies wholly owned by a public authority.  A full list of organisations affected is set out in the Act and further bodies will be added by Scottish Ministers in the future.

Some rights to access information already existed pre FOI(S)A including the right to inspect and take copies of Agendas, Reports, background information and Minutes (except confidential or exempt items) of the Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council.  Please see Council and Democracy – Committees and Meetings 

Information and Guidance on Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Guidance has been developed on the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2007. The information and guidance can be accessed by using the links below

• Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 – Guidance (Policy Committee 29 August 2007)(10  pages, 121 KB)
• Exemptions under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act – Guidance  (10 Pages, 129 KB)
• Guidance for Councillors – prepared by Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner for COSLA

Further information can be obtained from the website of the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner (OSIC) 

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Making a Freedom of Information Request

You can make an FOI  request by completing our Online Request Form

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