About the Scheme
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (the "FOI Act") requires all Scottish public authorities to adopt and maintain a "publication scheme" which sets out:
- what classes of information are routinely made available
- in what format
- if there is any charge.
The purpose of a publication scheme is to make it easier to find information by setting out what is available from a public authority. A publication scheme must set out what "classes" of information are available, rather than list individual documents and publications.
A publication scheme is not intended to be a complete list of all the information held by an authority. From 1 January 2005, you have the right to ask for any other information that isn't already made available through a publication scheme.
Publication Schemes must be approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner. Scottish local authorities were required to submit their schemes for approval in February 2004, and to make their schemes operational by 1 June 2004. The Scottish Information Commissioner has issued guidance on preparing publication schemes.
