Developments in FOI Zoë Woods Head of FOI Unit Scottish Government

Who am I?

FOI Unit – some background Organisational context Organisational context 2 teams with very different functions 2 teams with very different functions FOIU and the SG FOIU and the SG

Some reflections… We are: We are: Authoritative Authoritative Expert Expert Trusted Trusted Available Available We are also: We are also: Generally disliked Generally disliked Process driven and legislatively bound Process driven and legislatively bound Inaccessible and slow to engage Inaccessible and slow to engage Organisationally isolated Organisationally isolated

What needs to change? We do We do Our systems and processes Our systems and processes Our communications Our communications The legislation? The legislation?

Concrete developments in FOI Release of historical data Release of historical data Consultation on extension of coverage Consultation on extension of coverage Codes of practice Codes of practice Overhaul of guidance Overhaul of guidance Amending FOISA? Amending FOISA?

Other relevant developments Public Service Reform Act 2010 Public Service Reform Act 2010 Public Records Bill Public Records Bill UK Transparency Agenda UK Transparency Agenda Spending Review Spending Review Scottish Parliamentary elections Scottish Parliamentary elections

The Future… Cant foresee a future without FOI Cant foresee a future without FOI Financial context likely to increase scrutiny of spending and decision making Financial context likely to increase scrutiny of spending and decision making How we view and tackle the challenges will be critical to our success How we view and tackle the challenges will be critical to our success

Questions or reflections?