Freedom of Information Request - National Access Forum – Election - Complaint
Date: 03 March 2025
Our ref: SIR178899/A5010721
Information Request – National Access Forum – Election - Complaint
Your Request
I wish to see every note, document, recording relating to [redacted]'s investigation, along with all the same for [redacted]'s interpretation re-write/re-invention of the rules, and the substantiated reasons for his actions and decisions, along with any unpublished documentation on which they may be based. In addition, I wish to see substantiated reasons for the inordinate amount of time it took for [redacted] to respond. This is a formal Freedom of Investigation request and as it is lodged with you would you please process it accordingly. Under the FOI Act the person receiving the request on whatever format it is presented is required to either deal with it or pass on to who will. It is not necessary to refer to the FOISA but I have done so for clarity. Please note that I have already asked for information in relation to this case so technically by failing to respond on the previous occasions you are already in breach of the Act. I am content to receive email responses.
Our Response
We have undertaken detailed searches of the information that we hold and have found a number of documents that meet the terms of your request. Copies of this information is attached separately to this response
This information contains personal data as defined by the Data Protection Act 2018, both yours and those of third parties. As disclosure of this information under FOISA has the effect of publishing this information into the public domain, we applied the following exemptions under FOISA, 38(1)(a) to your personal data and 38(1)(b) to the personal data of third parties.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
