Revising the approach to publication schemes - A consultation
31 January 2011
In 2010 the Commissioner issued a formal consultation on a proposal to revise his approach to publication schemes. The report of that consultation is now published below and available to download.
Publication scheme consultation report (184kb)
The Commissioner received 50 written responses to his consultation. The responses confirmed his views about the effectiveness of model publication schemes versus individual schemes. There was general support for the proposal to develop a single model publication scheme suitable for adoption by all Scottish public authorities. The Commissioner has decided to proceed with the pilot of the approach with bodies due to submit their schemes for approval in 2011. He will be writing to those bodies in early February to set out what they need to do - and to offer them the opportunity to adopt the single model publication scheme.
Authorities adopting the model will have to notify the Commissioner and produce a detailed guide to their information for the public. The scheme will be based on the good practice already developed in sector model publication schemes in Scotland. Authorities are not be obliged to adopt the model scheme, but they will be encouraged to do so, given the public benefits of a consistent approach. The Commissioner will use the single model scheme as a standard against which any individual submissions will be assessed.
About publication schemes
Scotland's freedom of information (FOI) law imposes a specific duty on Scottish public authorities to publish information through a publication scheme. This requirement complements the public's right to request information from public authorities by encouraging authorities to publish information. The aim is that the public can easily know what information is readily available and how to get it for themselves without having to make an information request.
Why did the Commissioner want to change his approach?
Scotland has six years' experience of the development, adoption, maintenance and approval of publication schemes. The development of model publication schemes has proven valuable for both public authorities and for the public in raising standards and providing consistency across authorities in the same sectors. The development of a single model scheme was a natural progression of that positive experience.
The Commissioner's proposal is also a response to the impending pressures on public services. Scottish public authorities are concerned about continuing to meet their statutory obligations with fewer resources. Proactive publication has obvious benefits for the public, but it's also good for authorities. If the public can access the information they want to see, this should reduce the demands of responding to information requests faced by authorities. In these particularly challenging times, proactive disclosure may also help the public to understand the tough choices that authorities have to make.
The consultation paper issued in September 2010 can be downloaded here, for information. Please note, however, that the consultation is now closed.
Revising the approach to publication schemes - A consultation paper