Freedom of Information and Model Publication Scheme
Guide to information available through our FOI publication scheme
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (the Act) requires Scottish public authorities to produce and maintain a publication scheme. Authorities are under a legal obligation to:
- publish the classes of information that they make routinely available
- tell the public how to access the information and what it might cost.
Audit Scotland is the body which provides the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission with the services they need and this guide to information applies to all three bodies. Read more about how we are organised.
The Scottish Information Commissioner approved our adoption of the Model Publication Scheme in 2015. This scheme is kept under review and will incorporate changes to the Model Publication Scheme as advised from time to time by the Scottish Information Commissioner. These pages were last reviewed and updated in August 2021. The scheme and the information available through it form part of this document.
The purpose of this guide to information is to:
- help the public to see what information is available (and what is not available) in relation to each class;
- state what charges may be applied;
- explain how to find the information easily;
- provide contact details for enquiries and to get help with accessing the information;
- explain how to request information we hold that has not been published.
Classes of information
These are the classes of information we publish. Once information is published under a class, we will continue to make it available for the current year and for the previous two financial years where this is possible.
- About us
- How we deliver our functions and services
- How we take decisions and what we have decided
- What we spend and how we spend it
- How we manage our human, physical and information resources
- How we procure goods and services from external providers
- How we are performing
- Our commercial publications
- Our open data
Disclosure log
We publish a disclosure log which contains information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. This can be viewed here.
Availability and formats
The information we publish through the model scheme is, wherever possible, available on our website. We offer alternative arrangements for people who do not want to, or cannot, access the information online or by inspection at our offices. For example, we can usually arrange to send information to you in paper copy on request (although there may be a charge for this).
Exempt information
We will publish the information we hold that falls within the classes of information. If a document contains information that is exempt under the Act (for example sensitive personal information or a trade secret), we may withhold the information or provide a redacted version. We will however explain why we have done so.
Copyright and re-use
Where we hold the copyright to the published information, the information may be copied, reproduced or re-used without formal permission, provided that:
- it is copied or reproduced accurately;
- it is not used in a misleading context, and;
- the source of the material is identified.
Where we do not hold the copyright in information we publish, we will make this clear.
Charges
This section explains when we may make a charge for our publications and how any charge will be calculated.
There is no charge to view or download information from our website or to view information at our offices. Prior arrangements must be made to view information at our offices.
We may charge for costs associated with supplying information, but we will charge you no more than it actually costs us to do so. We will always tell you what the cost is before providing the information to you. Our photocopying charges are shown in the tables below:
| Size of paper | Pence per side |
|---|---|
| A3 | 10p |
| A4 | 5p |
| Size of paper | Pence per side |
|---|---|
| A4 | 20p |
Information provided on USB flashdrives will be charged at £1 per 1GB flashdrive.
Postage costs will be calculated at the rate payable to us to send the information to you by Royal Mail First Class.
Contact us
To request information, download and complete our Request for information form (DOC 191Kb). You can contact us for advice and assistance with any aspect of this publication scheme. We can also advise you how to ask for information that we do not publish or how to complain if you are dissatisfied with any aspect of this publication scheme. Contact us using the information below:
Tel: 0131 625 1500
Email: info@audit-scotland.gov.uk
In writing:
Corporate Governance Manager
Audit Scotland
4th Floor
102 West Port
Edinburgh
EH3 9DN
