Scottish Government’s Fire and Rescue Unit governance structure and risk register: FOI release

Information requested

1. The governance structure currently in place for the Scottish Government’s Fire and Rescue Unit (within Safer Communities Directorate), including the name and remit of any governance board, oversight group, programme board or equivalent body that provides strategic oversight of the Unit’s work.

2. The most recent risk register held by the Fire and Rescue Unit that covers its team-wide activities.

3. The most recent action log associated with that risk register.

4. The most recent minutes of the group.

Response

In relation to point one, the Fire and Rescue Unit (FRU) is part of the Scottish Government Safer Communities Division. In common with all Scottish Government Divisions, strategic oversight is provided through Directors and Director Generals reporting to the Scottish Ministers.

In relation to point two onwards I attach three documents

• a redacted version of the most current Safer Communities Division risk register summary with actions log and minutes
• a redacted version of the Fire and Rescue Unit risk register
• a redacted version of the Safer Communities risk register

Some redactions are in place for this document under Section 30 (c) – substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs. An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to the majority of the information requested. Disclosing this information would substantially prejudice the statutorily independent work of the respective policy areas – including sponsorship of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - by revealing information which could potentially compromise that sponsorship and hinder the development of policies. This would constitute substantial prejudice to decision making and the effective conduct of public affairs in terms of the exemption.

This exemption is also 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. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the space for the effective sponsorship of a major public body, such as the SFRS, as well as the development of government policies and, ultimately, the effective conduct of public affairs. Information on risk owners has been exempted under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA as it relates to personal data of those below the seniority of SCS.

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 202500494805 - Information Released - Risk Registars

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