The Deputy First Minister's decision to widen Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation to cover bodies delivering cultural and leisure services on behalf of councils is welcome.
But your assertion that Glasgow Life will be "brought within scope" ("Freedom of Information laws widened by MSPs", The Herald, January 17) is wrong.
Glasgow City Council recognised the importance of allowing access to decisions taken by such public bodies when Culture and Sport Glasgow (latterly Glasgow Life) was formed in 2007, and ensured the organisation was subject to FoI requests from its inception. Indeed, at the 5th Annual Freedom of Information Conference in Edinburgh in 2007, the then Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion, singled out Culture and Sport Glasgow for praise for its inclusion within the FoI framework, unlike some other sport and leisure trusts which had decided to remain outwith the legislation.
In the same year his office stated: "We think your (Culture and Sport Glasgow's) Publication Scheme was one of the best – in terms of layout, information and ease of understanding – which we have seen for a publicly owned company."
Given our ongoing and clear commitment to FoI, the Scottish Government consulted us as part of its plans to widen the legislation to similar organisations and we're delighted Nicola Sturgeon is looking to emulate our approach.
In 2011/12, Glasgow Life received 52 FoI requests. No reviews were requested and no appeals were lodged with the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Councillor Archie Graham,
Chairman of Glasgow Life,
220 High Street,
Glasgow.
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