This legal right of access includes all types of ‘recorded’ information of any date held by Scottish public authorities. From 1st January 2005 any person who makes a request for information must be provided with it, subject to certain conditions.
The Act also places an obligation on all Scottish public authorities to adopt and maintain a 'Publication Scheme' and, on 27 February 2004, the Council submitted its own
Publication Scheme to the Scottish Information Commissioner describing the classes of information which the Council publishes or intends to publish, how it does so, and any fees associated with these publications. The Scheme was approved by the Commissioner on 1 June 2004, since which time the Council has been obliged to publish information in accordance with the scheme.
Environmental Information
New Regulations have also came into effect for Environmental Information. Anyone requesting information under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 may also use the Freedom of Information Service to make a request. These regulations are very similar to Freedom of Information, but apply specifically to information concerning the environment.
Council Procedure for FOI
It has always been the Council’s policy to be open and accountable in respect of its approach to policy formulation and delivery of Council services. This is reflected in the Council Key Objective to:
Provide accessible, accountable Council services that are effective and offer value for money.
In this respect, operation of the FOI regime reinforces our current approach through the introduction of a formal process for providing information which is not routinely made available.
Finding Information
It is important to know that the Council already places a large amount of information in public buildings such as libraries. A useful way of obtaining information about Glasgow City Council can be a visit to Glasgow Public Libraries (either to the Mitchell Reference Library or to a local branch library).
In addition, a considerable amount of information about the Council’s services and activities (including our
Publications Scheme and Publications List) is published on the Council website. When seeking information about the Council, please make full use of this website, to find out whether the information you’re looking for is already available on-line. You can search our website through the on-screen navigation headings, or by using the ‘Search’ or ‘A to Z ’ facilities.
Internet facilities are provided at all Glasgow City Council Public Libraries and Real Learning Centres.
Making a Request
If you are unable to find the information by these means, the Council is happy to assist you through its Freedom of Information Service.
For information on how to use the service, and what it involves, please follow this link to where you will be able to obtain further information on Making a Freedom of Information Request.
Please note that the Freedom of Information Service includes information requested under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
But please remember that, if the information you require has already been made available to the public in other ways, the Council would normally refer you back to that source.
Useful Links:
Scottish Executive Freedom of Information
Scottish Information Commissioner
Please note that Glasgow City Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.