Social Security Delivery Board 23 on 16 October 2018 papers: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for all items of information in Paper 23.11 and Paper 23.12, as presented and discussed at Social Security Delivery Board 23 on 16 October 2018, plus all minutes, actions and roadmaps related to this item presented to Social Security Delivery Board 24 on 30 October 2018.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in the format you asked for.  

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions s.30(b) (ii) (free and frank exchange of views) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information.  The reasons why the exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Reasons for not providing information - Annex
An exemption applies

An exemption under section 38(1)(b)  of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The personal information, including names and contact details, of officials is their own personal information, and is therefore exempt under FOISA.

This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, thus, we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption

An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test

An exemption under Section 30(b) (ii) applies where disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.  The Internal Knowledge Management Plan is not a final artefact but a living document which will be continually updated as appropriate through delivery.  The planning timescales and associated commentary constitute the views of officials. This information is crucial for making assessments and determining priorities and actions to be taken. Release of this information would be likely to restrain, decrease or suppress the freedom with which opinions or options are expressed and deliberated

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.  While we recognise that there is some public interest in release as part of open, transparent and accountable government and to inform public debate, this is outweighed by the vital public interest in ensuring that planning leads to high quality, fully considered decisions.  Officials need to have a private space within which to consider evidence, debate their finds and explore all available options before reaching planning decisions and associated timescales.   

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.

FOI-19-01771 - Information Released

File type

5 page PDF

File size

175.2 kB