Innovative Finance Steering Group: FOI release

Information requested

Minutes, agendas and papers relating to the Innovative Finance Steering Group since convened at the end of 2022.

Response

I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested.

Inception meeting
Membership list - Attachment A
Agenda - Attachment B
Terms of reference - Attachment C
Conflict of Interest - Attachment D
Conclusions - Attachment E

Horizon scanning discussion
Email to group - Attachment F
Notes of meetings and key points - Attachment G

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 an exemption(s) under section(s) s.38(1)(b) (personal information) and s33(1)(b) – Substantial prejudice to commercial interests of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e., the names and contact details of individuals and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018.

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) – Substantial prejudice to commercial interests of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Section 33(1)(b) – Substantial prejudice to commercial interests - Information is exempt under section 33(1)(b) if its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person. “Person” includes a public authority, company and partnership.

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 because of the work of the Innovative Finance Steering Group. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting the commercial interests of a private company.

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 202300376700 - Information Released - Attachments A to G

File type

PDF

File size

853.6 kB