Decision 042/2023: Departure of Chief Executive of Scottish Rail Holdings – failure to respond
Authority: Scottish Ministers
Case Ref: 202300490
Summary
The Applicant asked the Authority for information relating to the departure of the Chief Executive of Scottish Rail Holdings from July 2022, including correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the Chief Executive. This decision finds that the Authority failed to respond to the request and requirement for review within the timescale allowed by the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
Background
1. The Applicant made an information request to the Authority on 17 December 2022.
2. The Authority did not respond to the information request.
3. On 12 March 2023, the Applicant wrote to the Authority requiring a review in respect of its failure to respond. The Applicant also chased this up on 28 March 2023.
4. The Authority acknowledged the requirement for review on 30 March 2023. They apologised for the delay, stating this was due to large volumes of requests being received and limited staff resources available to respond to them. They advised that a response had been prepared.
5. The Applicant did not receive a response to his requirement for review.
6. The Applicant wrote to the Commissioner, stating that he was dissatisfied with the Authority’s failure to respond and applying to the Commissioner for a decision in terms of section 47(1) of FOISA.
7. The Commissioner determined that the application complied with section 47(2) of FOISA and that he had the power to carry out an investigation.
Investigation
8. Section 49(3)(a) of FOISA requires the Commissioner to notify public authorities of an application and to give them an opportunity to comment. The Commissioner did this on 24 April 2023.
9. The Commissioner received submissions from the Authority on 10 May 2023. These submissions are considered below.
10. The Authority explained that the delay was due to resourcing pressures and a period of increased workload.
11. The Authority confirmed that a response was being finalised for issue to the Applicant.
12. Section 10(1) of FOISA gives Scottish public authorities a maximum of 20 working days following the date of receipt of the request to comply with a request for information. This is subject to qualifications which are not relevant in this case.
13. It is a matter of fact that the Authority did not provide a response to the Applicant’s request for information within 20 working days, so the Commissioner finds that it failed to comply with section 10(1) of FOISA.
14. Section 21(1) of FOISA gives Scottish public authorities a maximum of 20 working days following the date of receipt of the requirement to comply with a requirement for review. Again, this is subject to qualifications which are not relevant in this case.
15. It is a matter of fact that the Authority did not provide a response to the Applicant’s requirement for review within 20 working days, so the Commissioner finds that it failed to comply with section 21(1) of FOISA.
16. The remainder of section 21 sets out the requirements to be followed by a Scottish public authority in carrying out a review. As no review has been carried out in this case, the Commissioner finds that the Authority failed to discharge these requirements: he now requires a review to be carried out in accordance with section 21.
17. The Commissioner recommends that the Authority considers whether it would be appropriate to apologise to the Applicant for its failure to comply.
Decision
The Commissioner finds that the Authority failed to comply with Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) in dealing with the information request made by the Applicant. In particular, the Authority failed to respond to the Applicant’s request for information and requirement for review within the timescales laid down by sections 10(1) and 21(1) of FOISA. The Commissioner requires the Authority to respond to the Applicant’s requirement for review, by 29 June 2023.
Appeal
Should either the Applicant or the Authority wish to appeal against this decision, they have the right to appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law only. Any such appeal must be made within 42 days after the date of intimation of this decision.
Enforcement
If the Authority fails to comply with this decision, the Commissioner has the right to certify to the Court of Session that the Authority has failed to comply. The Court has the right to inquire into the matter and may deal with the Authority as if it had committed a contempt of court.
Jill Walker
Freedom of Information Officer
15 May 2022
