Correspondence and meeting notes in relation to the handling of request 202500472911: FOI release

Information requested

A copy of all correspondence and meeting notes etc. in relation to the preparation, handling and clearance of the response to FOI 202500472911.

Notably, this should include FOI response clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers.

Response

I have provided a copy of all correspondence in relation to the preparation, handling and clearance of the response to FOI 202500472911.

There were no formal meetings held regards to FOI 202500472911. As per standard FOI process, there was an initial verbal discussion regarding the roles and responsibilities of a case handler and decision maker including carrying out full searches, collating information and drafting and approving the response.

Preparation of the FOI, In terms of interpretation of the word “etc” I have provided a copy of the compliance statement Annex A and the search template Annex B that were completed as part of the FOI process. Both documents are a record template of recording all comments and contributions received, including comments from special advisers. The statement of compliance requires a record the action officers independent rationale for withholding or disclosing information.

For Annex A, an exemption under Section 38(1)(a) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal information of which you are the data subject, and so it is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation and 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.

Handling of the FOI, I have provided a copy of the the initial FOI trawl email issued to the Executive Team and the individual emails returned shown as Annex C. Junior Civil Servant names have been redacted under Section 38(1)(b) (personal information) to protect the identity to protect the identity of colleagues who are not Senior Civil Servants.

The rest of the information in regards to the email was previously provided as part of the response for FOI 202500472911 which is published on the Scottish Government website Scottish Government Executive Team correspondence regarding home and hybrid working: FOI release - gov.scot. As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under Section 25(1) (information otherwise accessible).

I have provided a copy of the email sent to DG Corporate and the response received shown as Annex D. Junior Civil Servant names have been redacted under Section 38(1)(b) (personal information) to protect the identity to protect the identity of colleagues who are not Senior Civil Servants.

The rest of the information in regards to the email was previously provided as part of the response for FOI 202500472911 which is published on the Scottish Government website Scottish Government Executive Team correspondence regarding home and hybrid working: FOI release - gov.scot. As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under Section 25(1) (information otherwise accessible).

Clearance of the FOI, I have provided a copy of the email from the action officer and decision maker confirming approval of the response letter issued shown as Annex E. Junior Civil Servant names have been redacted under Section 38(1)(b) (personal information) to protect the identity to protect the identity of colleagues who are not Senior Civil Servants.

The rest of the attachments as part of the email were previously included as part of the response for FOI 202500472911 which is published on the Scottish Government website Scottish Government Executive Team correspondence regarding home and hybrid working: FOI release - gov.scot. As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under Section 25(1) (information otherwise accessible).

Further information provided, additional information that might be of interest under Section 15 obligations which is to provide advice and assistance. I have provided a copy of the email confirming who was aware of the response that was issued shown as Annex F. Junior Civil Servant names have been redacted under Section 38(1)(b) to protect the identity to protect the identity of colleagues who are not Senior Civil Servants.

The rest of the attachments as part of the email were previously included as part of the response for FOI 202500472911 which is published on the Scottish Government website Scottish Government Executive Team correspondence regarding home and hybrid working: FOI release - gov.scot. As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under Section 25(1) (information otherwise accessible).

To address your last paragraph, “this should include FOI response clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers”. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because there as this was assessed as a routine FOI the final decision and approval was completed by the directorate decision maker which can be anyone of C Band or above, but often the deputy director. There was no clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers.

As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under Section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

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FOI 202500481037 - Information released - Annex A - F

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