Publication scheme

As well as the website, print copies of this scheme are available on request from any SEPA office.

In preparing this scheme we identified key classes of information about:

  • the services we provide
  • the costs of providing those services
  • the standards we aim to meet
  • the facts that we use for decision making
  • information we have a duty to publish
  • information we already publish
  • information we would disclose under existing legislation
  • our structure and other organisational information
  • how we reach our decisions
  • how important appointments are made
  • anything else in the public interest

We also identified key groups that would be interested in SEPA:

We carried out research in 2004 with journalists, students and campaign groups to assess their expectations of SEPA in anticipation of the Freedom of Information Act.

We expect that the biggest areas of interest will be:

  • environmental quality
  • operator performance
  • the basis for SEPA’s policy, licensing and enforcement decisions.

This is based on our experiences of queries, the stakeholder research and the draft publication scheme consultation.

Although not complete, we have also begun work on a comprehensive information audit. It has not informed the indicative classes of information but will help ensure that the final version is robust.

We have prepared our publication scheme with all of these factors in mind and given the greatest attention to particular classes of information. However, in general, we have sought to include as much information as possible.

Responsibilities

SEPA’s corporate management team is fully aware of the implications of Freedom of Information and is committed to ensuring that SEPA complies fully with it.

The most senior member of staff responsible specifically for freedom of information is:

  • John Ford,
    Finance Director
    Corporate office,
    Erskine Court,
    Castle Business Park,
    Stirling, FK9 4TR

    01786 457700

Day-to-day implementation of freedom of information is managed by:

  • Alison Mackinnon,
    Records Manager
    Corporate office,
    Erskine Court,
    Castle Business Park,
    Stirling,
    FK9 4TR

    01786 457700

The work is guided and managed by an implementation group.

Review

This scheme will become the main tool in SEPA for recording and controlling the proactive dissemination of information held by SEPA. It will become embedded into SEPA’s policies and procedures for managing information.

We will try to improve our scheme by continually reviewing the types of requests we receive, identifying areas of special interest and overall trying to make more information available.

The Scottish Information Commissioner does not approve publication schemes indefinitely. It must be reapproved within four years of initial approval. SEPA will carry out a formal review of its scheme as part of preparing it for re-approval.

  • regulated operators
  • trade bodies
  • local authorities
  • students and researchers
  • campaigners and charities
  • politicians
  • journalists
  • communities.