Freedom of Information - It's Public Knowledge

The Council's Publication Scheme

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, East Lothian Council must adopt and maintain a publication scheme. The Council's scheme was approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner on 20 May 2004 and took effect on 1 June 2004. [Click here to go straight to our publication scheme]. The scheme sets out the following:

• the categories of information the authority publishes (known as a classes) 
• the manner in which it is published
• details of any charges for receiving the information.

Under the Act, councils must allow access to information on: 

• the provision, cost and standard of their services
• factual information on decision-making
• the reasons for decisions made by them.

There will however, be exemptions under the Act and these are set out below.  Please note that individuals already have the right to access information about themselves under the Data Protection Act 1998. This is a completely separate matter which is the responsibility of the UK Information Commissioner. Requests by individuals for personal information about themselves do not come under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act.

Exemptions

East Lothian Council's aim is to be as open and transparent as possible. However, information may be withheld where we consider that disclosure may seriously prejudice law enforcement, legal proceedings, or our regulatory or enforcement activity or where the disclosure is otherwise prohibited by law. We may also withhold information which could seriously prejudice the commercial interests or confidentiality of any person or organisation, or information which is personal under the Data Protection Act 1998.

In these cases, we will withhold the information and indicate why it is being withheld. You will however, have the right to complain about any information which is being withheld from you. Full details appear in our publication scheme on this website.

East Lothian Council contacts:

Sian Collins

Records Manager

Tel: 01620 828223

Email: foi@eastlothian.gov.uk

Ruth Fyfe

Archivist (Job Share)

Tel: 01620 828229

Email: foi@eastlothian.gov.uk

Vacant Post

Archivist (Job Share)

Tel: 01620 828229

Email: foi@eastlothian.gov.uk

Shelley Neville

Support Services Assistant

Tel: 01620 828222

Email: foi@eastlothian.gov.uk

For further information about your rights and how to ask for information, please click below:

How to ask for information...