FOISA - Freedom of Information Scotland Act

General
The SAC Publication Scheme is available on our web site.  The scheme is also available as hard copy on request from any SAC campus or office.  The Publication Scheme shows for every class of information the formats available.  These will normally include printable formats from our web site, electronic versions of documents via email, hard copies of documents and in some cases inspection copies of documents at our libraries on campus.

Making a Request
To assist in your enquiry, SAC asks that you send requests in writing (a form is available: 'Requests for Information' to the right and also below) to one of the named contacts across our organisation. Both hard copy and email formats are welcome but these should include your name and return address.  It will be helpful if you can specify clearly the information that you seek.  For example the Publication Scheme describes and explains each Class of Information with examples of the type of information that we hold.  This is a very good point of reference and of course using our web site you can secure most of that information directly. 

SAC appreciates that you may wish to make an enquiry in person, at one of our offices or campuses.  In addition, telephone enquiries can be used to take FOISA requests.  We will ask you to confirm the nature of your request. Thereafter, we will send you the Requests for Information form outlining the request and ask you to sign your confirmation that you wish us to provide the information requested.

Accessing Information Outwith the Publication Scheme
If the information is not in the Publication Scheme you should complete the form titled  'Requests for Information' and SAC will respond to your enquiry promptly, certainly within 20 working days.

Please note:

• You cannot use a request of this type to secure personal information relating to yourself or information relating to a third party.
  Instead, Subject Access requests are dealt with under separate procedures.
• There may be a charge payable for information requested outwith the Publication Scheme.
  This fee will be described in advance of any response to an enquiry and requires prior payment to be received by SAC before the information is made available.
  Fees are calculated in accordance with current recommendations associated with the Act.
   

Additional Assistance
SAC acknowledges that individuals with disabilities may require special assistance in making requests or in the provision of information beyond hard copy format.  SAC will provide extra assistance in an appropriate form with due regard to the Disability Discrimination Act.

Responding to Your Request
SAC will continue to update its Publication Scheme to ensure that it provides an up-to-date index of available information that is responsive to public requests.  In addition, we promise to process all requests promptly and within 20 working days of receipt of a request.

In some circumstances where only library-based inspection copies of documents are available, access to the information will depend upon the proximity of the public to our campuses.  Similarly, hard copies of information sent by post will be subject to the customary delivery times.