Details of Housing 2040 Strategy Board meetings: FOI release

Information requested

A list of dates of the meetings of the Housing 2040 Strategy Board that have taken place in 2024.

All papers relating to each of those meetings - including minutes, agendas, briefing notes and any other recorded information sent to attendees prior to the meeting.

Minutes of each meeting.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested .

The answer to your question on dates of meetings of the Housing 2040 Strategy Board that have taken place in 2024 is:

8 February 2024
7 June 2024
22 August 2024

Some of the information you have requested is available from the Housing to 2040 Strategic Board pages on the Scottish Government website. 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(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

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 sections s.27(1) (information intended for future publication), s.29(1)(a) (policy formulation), 30(b)(ii) (free and frank provision of advice), s.33 (commercial interests), and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below.

An exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The draft minutes of the Housing to 2040 Strategic Board meetings held on 7 June and 22 August will be published within 12 weeks and once they have been agreed by the Strategic Board. The minutes of the 8 February meeting are already published on the Scottish Government website.

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA applies to a small amount of the information you have requested. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space for consideration or development of options and priorities for Scottish Ministers. Disclosing the content of formulation or development of government policy would inhibit the exchange of views in future between officials, and between officials and Ministers.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space to develop and assess policy options and priorities to allow for good decisions to be taken.

An exemption under 30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies to small amount of the information you requested. This exemption recognises the need to allow space for a free and frank exchange of advice and views between officials and Ministers.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space to develop and assess policy options and priorities to allow for good decisions to be taken.

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) and 33(2)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to a small amount of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial or financial interests of those partners with whom the Scottish Government continues to collaborate in the development of properties through the Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement Fund.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial and financial interests of Scottish Government partners to ensure that we are able to obtain the best value for public money. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we consider that the public interest in applying the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Where it relates to personal data relating to a third party this information is redacted.

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

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 202400430142 - Information released - Annex

File type

237 page PDF

File size

9.5 MB