Documentation regarding Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care GP walk-in centres meeting: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
"On what date was the 12th October meeting first scheduled? Where did the meeting take place? Did all participants join the meeting in person, or did some join virtually? Please provide all correspondence, by email or direct messaging application, which discussed the scheduling of the meeting.
Furthermore, please provide all briefing materials prepared ahead of the 12th October meeting and the agenda for the meeting, and all notes/minutes recording what was discussed at the meeting."
Response
On what date was the 12th October meeting first scheduled? Where did the meeting take place? Did all participants join the meeting in person, or did some join virtually? Please provide all correspondence, by email or direct messaging application, which discussed the scheduling of the meeting.
The meeting on 12th October was first arranged on Friday 10th October. The meeting was held on Microsoft Teams and all attendees joined online. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the correspondence which discussed the scheduling of the meeting because an exemption under section 30(b) (free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views) of FOISA applies to that information. Information is exempt under sections 30(b) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. 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.
Furthermore, please provide all briefing materials prepared ahead of the 12th October meeting and the agenda for the meeting, and all notes/minutes recording what was discussed at the meeting.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because exemptions under section 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy), section 30(b) (free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views) and section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. These exemptions apply as the documents within scope form pre-policy advice to ministers and disclosure would likely inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. These exemptions are 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.
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.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG