The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, 2002 requires a Publication Scheme to specify the classes of information the Public Authority already publishes or intends to publish. Our intention is to publish as much information as possible on subjects where there is known to be public interest. However, exemptions under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, 2002 may allow us to withhold some information.
As we are part of a tax raising service, it must be recognised that, in the public interest, certain information should not be disclosed.
Information concerning items of a confidential nature with respect to business that has been gathered by Assessors as part of their Statutory duties may not be made available.
In this respect Assessors will, when appropriate, apply reasonable consideration of the exemptions afforded under the Freedom of Information Act, 2002 particularly Sections 33, 35, 36 and 38.
e.g. Information, which if disclosed,
1) would be likely to prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person,
2) would prejudice substantially the assessment of any tax,
3) would constitute a breach of confidence actionable by any person, or
if personal data contravenes any of the Data Protection principles.
Assessors aim to be as open as possible. However, information may be withheld, from any of the classes of information listed below, where we consider that disclosure may seriously prejudice legal proceedings or where the law otherwise prohibits the disclosure. Information that may seriously prejudice the commercial interests of any person or organisation and personal information under the Data Protection Act, 1998 may also be withheld. Information may be withheld if its disclosure would constitute a breach of confidence actionable by the person who supplied it or by any other person.
In these cases, we will withhold the information and indicate why the information is being withheld. Please see the Feedback section on what to do if you do not agree with our decision to withhold information.
Assessors publish, or intend to publish, information under the Classes listed below:-
a) Who's Who and Where
b) Valuation Joint Board Minutes of Meetings*
c) Annual Accounts*
d) Valuation Rolls (Edited)
e) Council Tax Lists
f) Electoral Register (Edited)
g) How Are We Doing?
h) SAA Constitution
i) SAA Practice Notes 2005 Revaluation
* May be exemptions in this Class
a) Who's Who and Where
Class Definition: "Details of the (Or member of the Board) organisational structures and key personnel. This will include, as a minimum, the senior management team".
Availability: Website, post, inspection.
Cost: Free
b) Board/Council Minutes of Meetings
Class Definition: "In recognition of the need to have regard to the public interest in allowing access to public information held and in the publication of reasons for decisions made, the Minutes of formal Board or Council level Meetings, concerning the work of the Assessor, are published. They contain discussion of key strategic issues under consideration and the primary decisions relating to resource and budgetary matters. The annual accounts are listed as a separate class.
Details of Policies, Guidelines, Standing Orders, Schemes of Delegation can also be found within this Class."
Availability: Website, post, inspection-
Cost: Free
c) Annual Accounts
Class Definition: "Within this category details of the Accounts in relation to the Assessor's function can be found. This will also include that of the Electoral Registration Officer."
Availability: Post, inspection
Cost: Free
d) Valuation Rolls
Class Definition: "List of non-domestic properties for the Valuation Area with appropriate Rateable Values as a basis for rates bills. See also previous narrative "About Assessors"."
Availability: Website (saa.gov.uk/dab-vjb), paper copies at Local Offices and main Libraries
Cost:
Argyll & Bute £50.40
West Dunbartonshire £25.20
East Dunbartonshire £18.90
Part issues are available at £6.30 per thousand entries (or part thereof).
The Street Index is available at £12.50 for each Council's area
e) Council Tax Lists
Class Definition: "List of domestic properties within the Valuation Area with appropriate Bands. See also details referred to in sections headed "About Assessors"."
Availability: Website (saa.gov.uk/dab-vjb), paper copies at Local Offices and main Libraries
Cost:
Argyll & Bute £296.10
West Dunbartonshire £296.10
East Dunbartonshire £289.80
Part issues are available at £6.30 per thousand entries (or part thereof), but not as microfiche.
The Street Index is available at £12.50 for each Council's area
f) Electoral Register (Edited)
Class Definition: "Edited version of the Register of Electors. This version does not include the names of those electors whose names appear in the Full version of the Register but who have taken advantage of the Representation of the People Legislation and chosen to have their names excluded from the Edited version of the Register, which can be sold to anyone."
Availability: Inspection, post.
Cost:
Per Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001
If in Data Format £20 plus £1.50/thousand entries (or part)
Or if Printed £10 plus £5.00/thousand entries (or part)
g) How Are We Doing?
Class Definition: "A copy of the most recent Public Performance Report revealing our performance objectives/targets and Best Value Indicators which are produced on an annual basis." Copies of the results of our regular customer consultation/survey exercises are also available.
Availability: Website, post, inspection, publication (newsletters and circulars etc)
Cost: Free
h) SAA Constitution
Class Definition: "Although not a requirement under the terms of the legislation, Assessors feel that details in relation to the Constitution of the Scottish Assessors' Association may be of interest to members of the public and are willing to provide on request."
Availability: Post, inspection
Cost: Free
i) SAA Practice Notes (Revaluation 2005)
Class Definition: "The Scottish Assessors' Association Practice Notes, used by the Members of the Association, are published with effect from 1st April 2005. These papers, inclusive of the Cost Guide, will cover the appropriate guidance issued by the SAA to Assessors to allow a uniformity of approach to valuation for the benefit of all ratepayers. The Cost Guide has been prepared for the Scottish Assessors' Association (SAA) and Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for valuations prepared on the Contractors' Basis of Valuation".
Availability:
Practice Notes are available by post, inspection and website. The Cost Guide is available only on CD ROM format through the office of the Assessor for Lothian Valuation Joint Board.
Cost:
Practice Notes are free, but the Cost Guide is available for purchase at a cost of £750 inclusive of VAT. Details on how to purchase are shown on the SAA Website. - www.saa.gov.uk
