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.