The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (the Act) gives everyone a right of access to information held by Scottish public authorities. Cairn Housing Group (Cairn Housing Association Limited and its RSL subsidiary ANCHO Limited) have been designated as Scottish Public Authorities under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Cairn Homes and Services Ltd (trading as Cairn Living) is a commercial subsidiary of Cairn Housing Group not currently subject to the terms of the Act but some information relating to Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the EIRs) may apply.
The aim of the Act is to increase openness and transparency by allowing people to access information about how decisions are taken and how public services are delivered.
About Freedom of Information
The Act requires Scottish public authorities to adopt and maintain a publication scheme which has the approval of the Scottish Information Commissioner, and publish information in accordance with that scheme.
Scottish public authorities are under a legal obligation to:
- publish the classes of information that the authority makes routinely available; and
- tell the public how to access the information and whether information is available free of charge or on payment
Alongside the Act, the EIRs provide a separate right of access to the environmental information held by Scottish public authorites.
Model Publication Scheme
Cairn Housing Group has adopted the Model Publication Scheme produced and approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner.
The Scheme can also be viewed in Publication Scheme Resources at the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
The scheme sets out our commitment to make certain classes of information routinely available, such as policies and procedures, minutes of meetings, annual reports and financial information. We have developed a Guide to Information for this purpose and this also contains details of the environmental information that we routinely make available.
Withholding Information
Under both the Act and the EIRs, information may be withheld if there is a good reason for doing so.
If we withhold information, we will let you know why. If you are unhappy with our decision, or with the way we have dealt with your request, you can ask us to review our decision.
If you do not agree with the outcome of the review, you can ask the Scottish Information Commissioner to investigate.
