Meeting details between First Minister and the CEO of Scottish Water : FOI release

Information requested

Details of all meetings between First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Water CEO from 1 June 2024 up to date of this request The information should contain; date and time of each meeting, agenda of each meeting and agreed minutes of each meeting

Response

I enclose a copy of the information you requested. This comprises 2 documents numbered 1 and 2.

First Minister John Swinney met with Scottish Water CEO on the 22 January 2025 at 14:30-15:15. This is the only meeting they had between 1 June 2024 and 28 May 2025. An agenda and Minute of the meeting were produced which include the date and time of the meeting. This information is enclosed in Documents 1 and 2.

REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

‘Personal Information’ has been withheld under section 38(1)(b) to document 2. This includes full names and initials.

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 exception under regulation 30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies. This information has been withheld under 30(b)(ii) since its disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption also recognises the free and frank exchange of Ministers, public bodies, officials and advisors in regards to decision making. This exemption applies to information in Document 2. Further details can be found in Annex 1.

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested since its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person (including, without prejudice to that generality, a Scottish public authority). This exemption applies to information in Document 2. Further details can be found in Annex 1.

ANNEX 1

Exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA

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 public bodies, Ministers and officials a private space within which to explore and refine policy decisions that are 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 policy decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

Exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA
This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstancesof 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 and transparent government. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of a subsidiary of Scottish Water that is operating within a competitive market.

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 202500467978 - Information released - Document 1

File type

PDF

File size

51.9 kB

FOI 202500467978 - Information released - Document 2

File type

PDF

File size

103.5 kB