Meetings between Chief Constable of Police Scotland and Scottish Government ministers and officials: FOI release

Information requested

All minutes and notes held from meetings between Jo Farrell and Scottish Government ministers and officials from the last three months and all correspondence setting up these meetings.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in Annex B of this letter.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under the following sections of FOISA apply to that information:

• Section 25(1) – information otherwise accessible
• Section 27(1) – information intended for future publication
• Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice
• Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation
• Section 38(1)(b) – personal data relating to a third party

The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex A to this letter.

From January 2024 the Scottish Government publishes minutes of regular meetings between the Justice Secretary, Chief Constable and Scottish Police Authority Chair on the Scottish Government website.

As a result, some of the information you have requested is publicly available. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. Additionally, for minutes of meetings which are not yet published but we intend to do so within 12 weeks of the date of your request, an exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies (information intended for future publication).

To assist with your request I have provided a list of the meetings between Chief Constable Farrell and Scottish Government ministers and officials which are in scope of this FOI request below and indicated where we have published, or intend to publish, the note of the meeting.

• First Minister and Chief Constable – 16 May 2024 - exemption under section 25(1) applies - minute of the meeting published on the Scottish Government website
• Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and Chief Constable – 30 April 2024 - exemption under section 25(1) applies - minute of the meeting published on the Scottish Government website
• Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and Chief Constable – 4 June 2024 - exemption under section 27(1) applies - minute of the meeting will be published on the Scottish Government website
• Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, SPA Chair and Chief Constable – 26 June 2024 - exemption under section 27(1) applies - minute of the meeting will be published on the Scottish Government website
• Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and Chief Constable – 26 June 2024 - exemption under section 27(1) applies - minute of the meeting will be published on the Scottish Government website
• Permanent Secretary and Chief Constable – 24 June
• Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill and Police Scotland (including Chief Constable) – 16 May 2024
• Counter Terrorism Threat briefing – 25 June 2024

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400421216 - Information released - Annex

File type

86 page PDF

File size

703.7 kB