FOI/202600533548 · FOI · released
Executive Team workshop details: FOI release
Information requested
1. The job title/role and grade of the individual who authorised the away day/team-building event held at a coastal venue in Fife for eight senior officials, reported to have cost approximately £10,000.
2. An itemised breakdown of that £10,000 cost, including venue hire, catering, facilitator/consultancy fees, and any travel or accommodation.
3. The number of attendees, their grades/job titles, and the directorate responsible for organising and funding the event.
4. Details of any equivalent team-building or away-day events for Senior Civil Service staff held in the 12 months prior to this one, and any planned for the 12 months following, including dates, venues, attendee numbers and costs.
Response
I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.
The answer to your question(s):
1. Board Secretary, Deputy Director authorised the away day/team-building event held at a coastal venue in Fife
2. Travel costs for 4 SG Officials £37.60
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
Itemised breakdown of the costs, including venue hire, catering facilitator/consultancy fees have previously been released under FOI.
Executive Team workshop costs: FOI release - gov.scot
3. The number of attendees, their grades/job titles, and the directorate responsible for organising and funding the event:
10 Attendees
Permanent Secretary Director General Communities and External affairs Director General Corporate Director General Economy Director General Education and Justice Director General Exchequer, Strategy and Performance Director General Health and Social Care Director General Net Zero Principle Private Secretary, Deputy Director Board Secretary, Deputy Director
Executive Team Strategic Governance Office division within the Financial Management Directorate was responsible for organising and funding the event.
4. Details of Senior Civil Service (SCS) events held in the 12 months before and after 21 April 2026, including dates, venues, attendance figures and associated costs
Summary
July to September 2025: Four events (same agenda and speakers duplicated across all 4 events to a different audience of SCS), 120 attendees in total, delivered in Scottish Government venues with no external venue hire costs.
21 January 2026: Two sessions at Dovecot Studios, 172 attendees, cost £1,131.48. 3 June 2026: Two sessions at Dovecot Studios, 220 attendees, cost £1,871.10. October 2026 (planned): Two sessions at Dovecot Studios, estimated attendance 250-300, estimated cost approximately £1,400.
Date Event Venue Attendance Cost 15 July 2025 SCS Event St Andrew's House, Edinburgh 40 No external venue hire cost 24 July 2025 SCS Event St Andrew's House, Edinburgh 37 No external venue hire cost 5 August 2025 SCS Event Atlantic Quay, Glasgow 21 No external venue hire cost 17 September 2025 SCS Event Victoria Quay, Edinburgh 22 No external venue hire cost 21 January 2026 SCS Event (two sessions) Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh 172 £1,131.48 3 June 2026 SCS Event (two sessions) Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh 220 £1,871.10 October 2026 (planned) SCS Event (two sessions) Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh Estimated 250-300 Estimated £1,400
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
Travel costs for 4 SG Officials £37.60 Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.
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