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Amending FOISA and Widening Scope

Amending FOISA and Widening Scope. Sam Baker FOI Unit, Scottish Government. Introduction. The Amendment Act and what it does Other legislative changes – EIRs and s4 Reducing lifespans of exemptions Extending covering of FOISA. Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013.

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Amending FOISA and Widening Scope

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  1. Amending FOISA and Widening Scope Sam Baker FOI Unit, Scottish Government

  2. Introduction • The Amendment Act and what it does • Other legislative changes – EIRs and s4 • Reducing lifespans of exemptions • Extending covering of FOISA

  3. Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013 • Designed to address issues raised regarding original 2002 Act • Consultation in 2011 on Bill proposals • Bill introduced to Parliament in May 2012 • Changes made at Stage 2 following Committee/ stakeholder feedback • Bill passed unanimously 16 January 2013 • New Act came into force 31 May 2013

  4. What the new Act does Amends the existing 2002 Act to: • Increased flexibility to revise the lifespans of exemptions • allow bodies to neither confirm nor deny if they hold personal data (s18) • allow longer period for prosecution of offences (s65) • clarify that information available under a publication scheme is exempt • require Ministers to consult more widely on orders to extend coverage and to report to Parliament every two years on their use of the power to extend coverage

  5. The Amendment Act – a journey “With the passage of the Amendment Bill we have reached an important landmark for FOI in Scotland. It is not the end of the journey, but it is an important milestone along the way….. It is a journey of greater openness and genuine transparency.” Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister, 2013

  6. Other changes to legislation Environmental Information Regulations • EIRs also amended to extend timescale for prosecution of offences (destroying, altering, concealing information) Section 4 – public bodies subject to FOISA • Mobility and Access Committee • Criminal Courts Rules Council • Scottish Civil Justice Council

  7. Reducing lifespans of exemptions • Some exemptions apply for information up to a certain age (e.g. 30 years) • New Act gives flexibility to amend lifespans for some exemptions (but not necessarily all) • Consultation launched May 2013 • Proposes reducing most lifespans to 15 years in line with Government policy on file release • Looking for responses and comments on business impact by 31 July

  8. Extending coverage of FOISA • Section 5 of FOISA – order-making powers to extend coverage • MSP and stakeholder calls for FOISA to apply to organisations delivering services for public bodies • Consultation in 2010 on potential bodies • In principle support from many, but also concerns about administrative burden • Government postponed decision until Amendment Bill completed

  9. Scotland’s 1st section 5 order • 16 January 2013 – Deputy First Minister announces plans to cover culture, sport and leisure trusts. • Scottish Government consulted affected stakeholders on terms of draft order. • 7 June 2013 – draft order laid in Parliament. • Order to be considered by Local Government and Regeneration Committee. • Proposes that bodies will be covered by FOISA from April 2014.

  10. What next for FOI? • Deputy First Minister committed to consulting on further extension of coverage – e.g. further arm’s length bodies. • Continually checking Schedule 1 of FOISA is up to date – further section 4 orders if needed. • If Parliament agrees, changes to lifespans of exemptions in 2014.

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