202300357678 · FOI · partially withheld
Education Minister's meetings with Children and Young People's Minister and Police Scotland Officers from 1 January 2020 and the 19 May 2023: FOI release
Information requested
You asked the Scottish Government to provide details including agendas, meeting minutes, emails setting up meetings and follow up emails, of all meetings between the Education Minister (for clarity the post held by John Swinney then Shirley Anne Sommerville etc) and the Children and Young People's Minister (for clarity the post held by Clare Haughey et al) with Police Scotland Officers (including Chief Constable, Assistant , Depute Chiefs and any other ranks between 1 January 2020 and the 19 May 2023.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
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 an exemption under sections s.30(b)(i) (the free and frank provision of advice) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information.
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 some public interest in release because this is a matter of interest to the public. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that advice provided in confidence to Ministers remains protected.
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.
Detected exemption language
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 an exemption under sections s.30(b)(i) (the free and frank provision of advice) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. 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.