Funding provided to Police Scotland for enforcement of firework control zones: FOI release

Information requested

1) The total level of funding provided to Police Scotland and other enforcement partners for the enforcement of firework control zones in 2024.

2) Internal correspondence, briefings, reports, and analysis on how this level of funding for the police was agreed upon. This should be from the onset of the firework control zones working group in 2023.

Response

In response to your first question, the answer to your question is that no funding was provided to Police Scotland and other enforcement partners specifically for the enforcement of firework control zones in 2024. Instead, the enforcement of such zones would be paid for from general grant funding provided to relevant justice partners.

In response to your second question, I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. 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 under sections 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation and development of government policy) and 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies is explained below.

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the development of the Scottish Government’s policy on firework control zones.

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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the discussions on firework control zones will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government’s view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development.

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on firework control zones will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, particularly given the nature of the topics under consideration.

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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a
greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s position on fireworks policy, until the Government as a whole can adopt a position that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good policy decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policymaking process, which would not be in the public interest.

About FOI

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

FOI 202500449165 - Information released - Annex

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