Cashback for Communities (CfC) programme: FOI release

Information requested

You made six specific requests for information relating to the Cashback for Communities (CfC) programme.

Response

Responses to your requests are given below.

1. How many organisations approved for funding in Phase 6 have been funded in every Cashback phase?
   
   There are 24 organisations receiving funding under Phase 5 of CfC and, of those, 6 have been funded through every phase.
   
   As regards Phase 6, a decision about which organisations will be funded has not yet been made public. We anticipate that a decision will be announced in the next few weeks. Under section 27(1) of FOISA we do not have to give information which we intend to publish within 12 weeks of the date of your request. We consider that it is reasonable to withhold the information until that date, rather than release it before the planned publication date. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information now outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. This is because the finalisation of arrangements for Phase 6 could be hampered unduly if information is released prematurely. At the point that a decision is announced, we expect that the information to answer your question will be readily available.
    
2. Who are these organisations?
   
   A very significant amount of information about the CfC programme is available at the dedicated website, https://cashbackforcommunities.org. This includes information about the organisations which have been funded throughout the various phases of the programme. For ease of reference, however, I can confirm that the 6 organisations which have been funded since the inception of the CfC, up to and including Phase 5, are:

• Basketball Scotland
• Scottish Football Association
• Scottish Rugby Union
• Scottish Sports Futures
• YouthLink Scotland
• Youth Scotland
  
  As stated above, a decision about which organisations will be funded in Phase 6 has not yet been made public. We anticipate that a decision will be announced in the next few weeks. Under section 27(1) of FOISA we do not have to give you information which we intend to publish within 12 weeks of the date of your request. We consider that it is reasonable to withhold the information until that date, rather than release it before the planned publication date. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information now outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. This is because the finalisation of arrangements for Phase 6 could be hampered unduly if information is released prematurely. At the point that a decision is announced, we expect that the information to answer your question will be readily available.
   

3. Have these organisations been funded for the same project across all cashback phases?
   
   Each of the funded project partners mentioned before, and who have received funding since 2008, have seen their projects evolve since inception of the CfC programme. Since Phase 1, the criteria for each individual phase has been modified and all projects who were successful, not merely the 6 highlighted here, have had to adapt their projects to meet the new criteria and requirements. In addition, programmes for the 6 highlighted organisations have adapted their projects based on learnings from previous phases as well as external evaluation feedback. Each application from organisations, whether existing or new, has been considered on its own merits and based on the suitability to meet the criteria of the new funding phase for which it is applying.
    
4. Can you provide access to the previous applications and scoring systems for these organisations for each Cashback Phase?
   
   Exemptions under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) and section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests and the economy) apply to the information requested.
   
   With specific regard to section 30(c), disclosure of the requested information under FOISA would be likely to prejudice substantially the effective conduct of public affairs. This is because there is a significant probability that substantial prejudice would arise, in that release in this case would be likely to lead organisations to perceive that future applications and scores would also be released to others, including potential rivals. This would be likely to have a chilling effect and deter some from applying fully and candidly, or at all, to contribute to the delivery of work of public benefit. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release as part of open and transparent government, and to inform public debate. However, this is outweighed by the strong public interest in maintaining the ability of the Scottish Government to invite and receive applications on the basis that their contents are treated in confidence.
   
   With specific regard to section 33(1)(b), disclosure of the requested information under FOISA would be likely to prejudice substantially the commercial interests of other organisations which applied. This is because there is a significant probability that substantial prejudice would arise, in that grant application is a competitive process requiring applicants to disclose a significant quantity of potentially sensitive information about themselves, their operations and their plans, and the disclosure of such information to others, including potential rivals, would be likely to lead to potential detriment in their future competitive position and ability to raise funds. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release as part of open and transparent government, and to inform public debate. However, this is outweighed by the strong public interest in maintaining the right of organisations to put forward grant applications in confidence.
    
5. What evidence is there that these organisations and their projects have had significant impact across all phases to date, per stated criteria for each phase?
   
   Part of the CfC programme involves a robust monitoring and evaluation process, which includes quarterly and annual review of performance against outcomes, as well as external evaluation support culminating in annual reports from the evaluator. In addition, stakeholder feedback and case studies provide a rich source of qualitative feedback which has also supported the assessment of impact. This provides insight as to the impact each organisation has achieved and is reviewed by the Delivery Partner and Scottish Government on a regular basis.
    
6. Can you provide us with copies of this evidence?
   
   Copies of the latest Partner annual reports and evaluation reports are available for all Partners on the dedicated CfC website, https://cashbackforcommunities.org, and are posted there each year. In addition, an Annual Impact report across the CfC programme is also published, along with an end of phase programme evaluation report. In addition, details of activity each Partner has undertaken within Local Authority areas is also provided on the website, going back to 2008 and details the funding allocated to these specific activities along with the number of young people participating in the projects in these local areas. Consequently, this information comes within the exemption provided by section 21 of FOISA (Information otherwise accessible) as it is information which can reasonably obtain other than by requesting it under FOISA.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.