Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 gives everyone a right of access to information held by Scottish public authorities.

Partick Housing Association has been designated as a Scottish Public Authority by an order made under section 5 of the Act, known as the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (Designation of Persons as Scottish Public Authorities) Order 2013.

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.

As of 11 November 2019, Partick Housing Association is deemed to be a Public Authority under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and is, therefore, required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). We have engaged RGDP LLP (www.rgdp.co.uk) to act as our Data Protection Officer.

To contact them, please email info@rgdp.co.uk. Please also copy us in at: info@partickha.org.uk.

About Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (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.

Authorities are under a legal obligation to:

  • publish the classes of information that the authority makes routinely available
  • tell the public how to access the information and whether information is available free of charge or on payment

Alongside the Act, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (the EIRs) provide a separate right of access to the environmental information that we hold.

An Induction

For a handy overview on Freedom of Information in Scotland, a short video is available to watch  on the right hand menu of this page.

Charges

In responding to requests for information under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRS), we are entitled to charge a reasonable amount towards making the information available. This includes information which may have been requested under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

The costs for EIRS requests are based on estimated costs of staff time to locate and retrieve information, plus any costs associated with putting the information into a particular format, copying and postage costs.

We do not charge for the time taken to decide if we hold the information requested, or the time it takes to decide whether the information can be released.

Model Publication Scheme

Partick Housing Association has adopted the Model Publication Scheme 2018, produced and approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner.

The Scheme can also be viewed in Publication Scheme Resources at the Scottish Information Commissioner website.

The scheme set 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.

Guide to Information

See a copy of Partick Housing Association’s Guide to Information here.

Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations

The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 provide a right of access to environmental information held by Scottish Public Authorities.

The definition of environmental information is very broad and includes:

  • the state of elements of the environment and their interaction (air, water, soil, land and landscape, natural sites, flora and fauna)
  • discharges, emissions, noise, radiation, waste measures and activities affecting the environment (e.g. policies, legislation, plans, activities)
  • reports on implementation of environmental legislation
  • cost benefit and economic analysis
  • effects of the environment on conditions of human life (including flood, buildings)

The Regulations are governed by the Scottish Information Commissioner, who is also responsible for the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Withholding Information

Under Freedom of Information legislation, 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.

Request Information

This form can be used by any individual who wishes to request information held by Partick Housing Association. The use of this form is not mandatory, but it will help us in the collection of the relevant information to progress your request.


    Please enter as much detail as you can about the information you are requesting



    * If you wish to attend our office to view/collect the requested information, you should contact us to make an appointment that is mutually convenient.

    Under Data Protection Laws you have the right to request copies of your personal data.


      We may need to contact you to clarify your request




      * If you wish to attend our office to view/collect the requested information, you should contact us to make an appointment that is mutually convenient.

      This form can be used by any individual who wishes to request information held by Partick Housing Association. The use of this form is not mandatory, but it will help us in the collection of the relevant information to progress your request.


        Providing your telephone number will allow us to contact you if we require any clarification


        Please enter as much detail as you can about the information you are requesting



        * If you wish to attend our office to view/collect the requested information, you should contact us to make an appointment that is mutually convenient.