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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Audit Committee minutes 2009'.
 
Ms Diane Scott 
 
Email [FOI #28478 email] 
5 March 2010 
Our Ref: FOI 2010/31 – F0085746 
Dear Ms Scott, 
 
Re: Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 – Request for Information 
 
Thank you for your email which was received by the University on 6 February 2010 timed 
01:01 hours, requesting the following information: 
 
“Can you please send me the minutes of all of your audit committee meetings that were 
held in 2009. Where you do not have a finalised minute can you please send me your 
latest draft.” 
 
University’s Response 
 
Please find the University’s response enclosed in Appendices A – D.  
 
Please note, in each of the documents some personal data has been redacted. This 
information concerns the identities of the employees of third-party organisations that supply 
audit services to the University. The University undertakes to protect their right to privacy in 
the context of their employment, and thus the employees’ expertise and experience, by certain 
accountancy firms.  The University has applied the exemption to release of the information 
under section 38(1)(b) and 38(2) of FOISA as the release of the information would breach the 
basic Principles of the Data Protection Act 1998. This is an absolute exemption under FOISA.   
 
With respect to the entry on “Hospitality Services” in the minutes of the meeting on 1 October 
2009, the University considers that at this time the redacted information is exempt from 
release as this area is currently undergoing a review and to release this information at this 
time may prejudice the review and resultant recommendations.  
 
Further, the University considers that the release of the information held in relation to the 
above issues at the present time would cause significant harm to the University and its 
operations. The University’s considerations on the above issue require input from a variety of 
sources. It is imperative that the individuals providing the input must not be inhibited from 
giving free and frank views relevant to the above issues. The Audit Committee must also be 
 
DATA PROTECTION AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICE 
Main Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ 
Data Protection: Telephone: 0141-330-3111 E-Mail: [email address] 
Freedom of Information: Telephone: 0141-330-2523 E-Mail: foi@gla.ac.uk 
The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401 
 
 
 
 
 
able to give free and frank views and advice, and seek updates on progress and on the 
resolution of any issues in the University’s operations. The University therefore considers that 
the “harm test”, as required by section 30(c), is met. 
 
Notwithstanding the result of the “harm test”, section 30(c) of FOISA does not provide an 
absolute exemption to the general entitlement to information. The University has therefore 
considered whether, notwithstanding the exemption, it is in the public interest to release the 
information. The University has considered the public interest by applying the “public interest 
test”. That is, the University has balanced whether the release of the information is in the 
public interest against whether disclosure would substantially prejudice the provision of free 
and frank advice both to and by the Audit Committee on the above issues. The view of the 
Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner (OSIC), in its advice on the application of the 
“public interest test”, is that the public interest should not be interpreted as “of interest to the 
public”. That is, the potential release of the information must be in the interests of the public 
and not merely what is of interest to the public or a particular individual. The public interest in 
the disclosure, at the present time, is slight. The public interest is in ensuring the continuing 
success of the University which critically includes the ability to prepare for, seek free and frank 
views on, provide free and frank advice on, monitor and guide investigations into, the 
operations of the University in areas that are currently under review. The disclosure of the 
requested information at this time would be likely to be detrimental to the public interest by 
publicly identifying issues relating to the operation of the University that it is currently 
resolving, or about which further consideration and advice and action by the senior 
management is required prior to resolution. The University therefore considers that the “public 
interest test”, as required by section 30(c), is in maintaining the exemption to release of the 
information. 
 
The University of Glasgow considers that the redacted information in the minute of 1 October 
2009 is also exempt under section 33(1)(b) as its disclosure would be likely to both 
substantially harm, and prejudice substantially, the commercial interests of the University. The 
information relates to current operations and a review thereof. The University operates in a 
very competitive environment, where the release of the information in question, would 
seriously damage its competitive position.  The loss of such competitiveness would harm the 
position of the University. The University therefore considers that the “harm test” is met. 
 
Notwithstanding the result of the “harm test”, section 33(1)(b) of FOISA does not provide an 
absolute exemption to the general entitlement to information. The University has therefore 
considered whether, notwithstanding the exemption, it is in the public interest to release the 
information. 
 
As before, the University has also considered the public interest by applying the “public 
interest test”. That is, the University has balanced whether the release of the information is in 
the public interest against whether disclosure would substantially prejudice its own position. 
The view of the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner (OSIC), in its advice on the 
application of the “public interest test”, is that the public interest should not be interpreted as 
“of interest to the public”. That is, the potential release of the information must be in the 
interests of the public and not merely of an individual interest. The public interest in the 
 
 
 
 
disclosure of the information requested is slight. The University operates in a very competitive 
environment, where the release of some of the specified information would seriously damage 
its own competitiveness and business interests. The public interest is in ensuring both the 
continuing success and competitiveness of the University including its ability to review and 
address any issues identified as being in need of improvement.  
 
The University therefore concludes that the “public interest test”, as required when applying 
section 33(1)(b) of the FOISA, is met as the disclosure of the information requested would 
prejudice substantially the competitive advantage and resultant business confidence in the 
University. The public interest in withholding the information is greater than the public interest 
in its release.   
 
The supply of documents under the terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 
does not give the applicant or whoever receives the information any right to re-use it in such a 
way that might infringe the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (for example, by making 
multiple copies, publishing or otherwise distributing the information to other individuals and the 
public). The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (Consequential Modifications) Order 
2004 ensured that Section 50 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (“CDPA”) 
applies to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“FOISA”).   
 
Breach of copyright law is an actionable offence and the University expressly reserves its 
rights and remedies available to it pursuant to the CDPA and common law. Further information 
on copyright is available at the following website: 
 
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy.htm 
Your right to seek a review 
 
Should you be dissatisfied with the way in which the University has dealt with your request, 
you have the right to require us to review our actions and decisions. If you wish to request a 
review, please contact the University Secretary, University Court Office, Gilbert Scott Building, 
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ or e-mail: [University of Glasgow request email] within 40 
working days. Your request must be in a recordable format (letter, email, audio tape, etc). You 
will receive a full response to your request for review within 20 working days of its receipt.  
 
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have handled your request for review you may 
ask the Scottish Information Commissioner to review our decision.  You must submit your 
complaint in writing to the Commissioner within 6 months of receiving the response to review 
letter. The Commissioner may be contacted as follows: 
 
The Scottish Information Commissioner 
Kinburn Castle 
Doubledykes Road 
St Andrews 
Fife 
KY16 9DS 
 
 
 
 
Telephone: 01334 464610 
Fax: 01334 464611 
Website www.itspublicknowledge.info 
E-mail: [email address] 
 
An appeal, on a point of law, to the Court of Session may be made against a decision by the 
Commissioner. 
 
For further information on the review procedure please refer to 
(http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/dpfoioffice/policiesandprocedures/foisa-complaintsandreview/ ) 
All complaints regarding requests for information will be handled in accordance with this 
procedure. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
 
 
 
Data Protection and Freedom of Information Office