Shetland Islands Council Early Adopter Communities Project funding reports: FOI release

Information requested

The below reports with regard to the 'Early Adopter Communities Project: 1 September 2024 - 31 March 2026', where grant funding was given to Shetland Islands Council.

• The monitoring and reporting mechanism used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Project, including how the project has embedded the approach principles and to better understand the needs of families who use local childcare services. (The grantee was to have developed this by 30 Sept 2024.)
• The grantee's (Shetland Islands Council) end year written report, (for period 1st Sept 2024 - 31 March 2025) which was to be submitted to Scottish Govt by 30 April 2025
• The grantee's in year written report which was to be submitted to Scottish Govt by 31 Oct 2025.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section(s) s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, ie names/contact details of individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of 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.

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption is engaged because releasing this particular information would, or would be likely to, substantially prejudice the commercial interests of a service provider. Disclosure could place the provider at a disadvantage, with potential implications for the viability of their business.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have concluded that, on balance, the public interest favours upholding the exemption. We acknowledge that there is a public interest in openness and transparency, and in enabling public scrutiny of the use of public funds. However, there is a stronger public interest in protecting the commercial interests of organisations that deliver services on behalf of the Scottish Government, to ensure that we can continue to secure best value for public money.

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 202500498813 - Information released - Annex

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