Bespoke publication schemes
This page sets out the Commissioner's approach to publication schemes which are produced by public authorities as "bespoke" to their own organisations. The Commissioner strongly recommends, however, that authorities consider adoption of the Model Publication Scheme 2012 because:
- this scheme is based on the best practice gained over eight years of operation of publication schemes in Scotland, across the public sector
- there is a benefit to the public in consistency of approach by all public authorities
- it has the particular advantage of already having the Commissioner's approval.
However, if an authority considers, having reviewed the model scheme and associated guidance, that it is not suitable for the authority, please contact the Commissioner's Policy and Information Team to discuss the submission of a "bespoke" scheme for approval.
Submission date
Authorities need to ensure that there is sufficient time to allow for the approval process of a bespoke scheme before the Commissioner's approval of a current scheme expires. It can take up to three months to achieve approval as we may require a number of changes to be made to submissions. For this reason, we ask for submission of bespoke schemes by the end of February in the year that approval for the current scheme expires.
What happens after submission of a bespoke scheme for approval?
Following submission, an approval officer will be nominated from the Policy and Information Team to assess the bespoke scheme against the standard of the Model Publication Scheme 2012. The approval officer will respond to the authority with any comments on the scheme and ask for a revised submission. This correspondence may be repeated, depending on the quality of the scheme and any issues identified.
When the scheme meets the required standard, the Commissioner will approve the scheme, in line with our programme of approvals, for up to four years.