Exemptions to publication scheme

In maintaining this publication scheme, it is the intention of South Ayrshire Council to be as open as possible.

There may, however, be circumstances where information will be withheld from the classes listed in Section B of the publication scheme.

The information withheld may consist of an entire document, or just part or parts of a document. Information will only be withheld where the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) (or, in the case of environmental information, the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004) expressly permits it.

Information may be withheld, for example, where we consider that disclosure may prejudice substantially law enforcement, legal proceedings, or our regulatory or enforcement activity, or where disclosure is otherwise prohibited by law.

We may also withhold information which is confidential or the release of which may prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation, including the Council.

Information may also be withheld if it is personal information about individuals and its release would breach the data protection principles contained in the Data Protection Act 1998 (the DPA).

Please note that Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 does not create any right to see information which the Council holds about you. However, you do have the right to see this information under the Data Protection Act - How to access information not in the publication scheme. Whenever information is withheld, we will inform you of this, and will explain why that information is not being released.

If you wish to complain when information is withheld from you, please read the complaints section.