This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Freedom of Information on track
08/03/2004
With the implementation of Freedom of Information less
than a year away, the Executive has arranged for the
development of training material to help public authorities
prepare.
The open learning workbook and the associated materials
will provide an invaluable tool for staff of public
authorities as they prepare to implement the legislation,
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services Tavish
Scott said today.
"The Freedom of Information legislation has been passed
by the Scottish Parliament, and the responsibility now lies
on all of us across the public sector to turn the ideal of
openness, a core founding principle of the Scottish
Parliament and Executive, into reality.
"The Act will come fully into force on January 1, 2005,
but Scottish public authorities need to be preparing for
that well in advance. A vital element to those preparations
must be the provision of appropriate guidance and training
for staff, and I am therefore very pleased that the
Executive has been able to put together an integrated suite
of materials which we are making available to all bodies to
whom the legislation applies.
"I am confident that this open learning workbook and the
associated materials will provide an invaluable tool for
Scottish public authorities and their staff as they prepare
to implement the Freedom of Information legislation, and I
look forward to seeing in practice the increased openness
and accountability that the Act promotes."
The open learning workbook is the main element in the
suite of training materials; a template for an
awareness-raising leaflet is also available and a "train
the trainers" pack will be available very shortly.
The materials have been developed by Masons, the
solicitors, on behalf of the Executive, and has benefited
from the comments and experience of a cross-sector
verification group drawn together under the Scottish
Freedom of Information Implementation Group.
The workbook reflects the current position, but will be
revised over time to reflect changes to guidance or
legislation, and to respond to feedback on the materials
from authorities or Scottish civic society more widely.
Copyright of the materials remains with the Executive,
but authorities are welcome to copy and further develop the
materials in a way which best suits the needs of their own
organisations.