Briefing notes for the First Minister's Orkney visit: FOI release

Information requested

Copies of all briefing notes created for the First Minister and his staff for their visit to Orkney on February 10-11, 2025. This included requests for all appendices, annexes, and attachments. 

You also requested all agendas and briefing notes (handwritten or typed) from meetings Mr Swinney and his staff attended during this visit, again including all appendices, annexes, or attachments.

Response

I am enclosing most of the information you requested. While our aim is to provide information wherever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested. This is because exemptions under s29 (1)(a), s.30 (b)(i), s.30 (b)(ii), s.33 (1)(b) and s.38 (1)(b) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained below.

An exemption applies, subject to the Public Interest Test

• An exemption under s.38 (1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because the information relates to private individuals.
• An exemption under s.29 (1)(a) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because the information relates to the current development of Scottish Government Policy. This exemption is subject to the public interest test, and we recognise that there is some public interest in release. However, this is outweighed by potential for prejudice to the formulation of government policy.
• An exemption under s.33 (1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because the information relates to commercial interests. This exemption is subject to the public interest test, and while we recognise that there is some public interest in release, this is outweighed by the potential to prejudice substantially the commercial interests of the relevant person or organisation.
• An exemption under s.30 (b)(i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because the information relates to free and frank provision of advice. This exemption is subject to the public interest test, and we recognise that there is some public interest in release. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring the free and frank provision of advice to Ministers.
• An exemption under s.30 (b)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because the information relates to free and frank exchange of views. This exemption is subject to the public interest test, and we recognise that there is some public interest in release. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring the free sharing of views from private individuals to Ministers.

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 202500452457 - Information Released - Annex

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