We refer to the West Edinburgh Spatial Strategy for Inclusive Growth (“WE-SSIG”) project led by Scottish Enterprise and others. Our client seeks a copy of all reports and documents in relation to WE-SSIG, produced following the conclusion of Phase 1 of the WE-SSIG project, held by Scottish Enterprise.
A draft Phase 2 report has been produced however the document is currently going through a review and approval process, during which time revisions to the document can be proposed and implemented.
The finalised document is scheduled to be presented to the West Edinburgh Project Board for agreement before being reported to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee on 22 February 2022. We understand it is at this meeting that the document will be made publicly available. Given the Phase 2 report is still in draft, we are withholding this information under EIRs Regulation 10(4)(d) - Material in the course of completion, etc.
Regulation 10(4)(d) states that: (4) A Scottish public authority may refuse to make environmental information available to the extent that – (d) the request relates to material which is still in the course of completion, to unfinished documents or to incomplete data.
Public interest
We recognise that as a public authority, Scottish Enterprise has a duty to be open and transparent; and we look to release information when requested wherever possible, particularly regarding information that is of serious concern and benefit to the public.
It serves the public interest to be given access to reports of this nature, as it provides opportunities to review and scrutinise plans, and contribute to discussions and debates. In the same way that the Phase 1 report was made public, these opportunities will be provided in due course for Phase 2. The public will have access to this information, but it is reasonable that this takes place only once the report has actually been completed, approved and is ready for release.
It would not serve the public to have access to a draft report, which could then be subject to change; instead, the public would be better served by accessing a complete report. Disclosure at this time would not enhance scrutiny of decision-making processes or improve accountability and participation; and it would not contribute to a debate on a matter of public interest. Instead, disclosure of materials that are still in the course of completion has real potential to cause confusion and undermine or jeopardise a legitimate development process.
Taking these considerations into account, and given the clear intention to publish this report in February 2022, we have reached the decision that the public interest favours withholding information that is in the course of completion. As required under regulation 13(b) of the EIRs, we are therefore providing you with a written refusal notice.
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Similarly, Scottish Enterprise sometimes embeds photos and video content from websites such as YouTube and Flickr. As a result, when you visit a page with content embedded from, for example, YouTube or Flickr, you may be presented with cookies from these websites. Scottish Enterprise does not control the dissemination of these cookies. Again, you should check the relevant third party website for more information about these.
Scottish Enterprise will not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information about you. However, if you wish to restrict or block the cookies which are set by Scottish Enterprise websites, or any third party websites, you can do this through your browser settings. The Help function within your browser should tell you how.
Alternatively, you may wish to visit the About cookies opens in a new window website, which contains comprehensive information about cookies and how to restrict or delete cookies on a wide variety of browsers.
Please be aware that restricting cookies may impact on the functionality of the Scottish Enterprise website.
Scottish Enterprise and our other websites use a number of suppliers who set cookies on our behalf in order to deliver the services that they are providing. We are constantly reviewing our use of cookies and, as such, this cookies policy will be regularly renewed to include up to date information about the cookies used by our suppliers. We would highly recommend that you check this page on a regular basis.