Glasgow Community and Safety Services - Corporate Information
Publication Scheme
GLASGOW COMMUNITY AND SAFETY SERVICES AND GLASGOW COMMUNITY SERVICES (TRADING) LIMITED (GCSS)
PART ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Welcome to the publication scheme for GCSS. This is a guide to the information routinely made available by GCSS as required under section 23 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (the Act).
1.2 The Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information is entitled to receive that information, subject to exemptions.
1.3 Under Section 23 of the Act, GCSS must adopt and maintain a publication scheme setting out the information we routinely make publicly available. In addition, we have to review the scheme from time to time. In adopting (or reviewing) our publication scheme, we are required to have regard to the public interest in:
- allowing public access to information we hold; and
- the publication of reasons for the decisions we make.
1.4 Our publication scheme must:
- set out the classes of information which we publish or intend to publish;
- say how we will publish the information in each class; and
- say if we will provide the information free or charge for it.
The purpose of our publication scheme is to let you know what information is readily available from us. By readily available we mean that the information can be obtained from us on request.
1.5 Where information is sought that is not contained within the Publication Scheme, individuals can request this by contacting the following:
Assistant Operations Manager
Strategic Services
Glasgow Community & Safety Services
Westergate
11 Hope Street
Glasgow
G2 6AB
Telephone number: 0141-276-7643
Fax number: 0141-276-7699
Email address: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk
Further guidance on how to request information is available at: www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/YourRights.asp
2. ABOUT THIS SCHEME
2.1 This publication scheme is based on the Model Publication Scheme for Publicly Owned (Active) Companies which has been developed by the Scottish Information Commissioner. The Scottish Information Commissioner is responsible for the promotion and enforcement of the Act.
2.2 Section 23 of the Act states that in adopting or reviewing its publication scheme the public authority must have regard to the public interest in allowing public access to information about:
- the services provided by the public authority;
- the costs of those services;
- the standard attained by those services;
- the facts which form the basis of decisions taken by the authority which are of importance to the public; and
• the publication of reasons for decisions made by it.
We have therefore included, as far as possible, information about these matters in this scheme.
3. ABOUT OUR PUBLIC AUTHORITY
3.1 Our legal title is Glasgow Community Safety Services Limited. We operate within the local government area of the City of Glasgow. We are a Company limited by guarantee (SC130604) with charitable status (No. SC0F1889) with the office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and Glasgow Community Safety Services (Trading) Limited (SC308081). Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Joint Police Board are the 2 members of the Company.
We are managed by a Board which consists of:-
∙ 3 directors appointed by Glasgow City Council;
∙ 1 director appointed by Strathclyde Joint Police Board; and
∙ up to 6 co-opted directors appointed on the recommendation from Strathclyde Joint Police Board, Glasgow Housing Association and NHS Greater Glasgow.
Our principal business is delivering the community safety services previously carried out by Glasgow City Council. Within this GCSS work towards the following objectives and operate the following related services:
- Reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB) and crime - services include Police Enforcement and Intelligence, Antisocial Behaviour Noise Team, Community Relations Unit, Private Landlords Registration Unit.
- Increase preventative and diversionary opportunities for young people - services include Restorative Justice Service, Schools Support Services, Prevention & Diversionary Services.
- Making Glasgow Cleaner - services include Environmental Community Action Team, City Centre Task Force, Graffiti Removal, Community Enforcement Service,
- Providing Community Reassurance - services include Community Safety Patrol Service, Public Space CCTV, Security.
- Providing support to individuals and families affected by ASB - services include Mediation, Home Safety and Security, Support to Victims and Vulnerable People, Family Resilience Advocacy Service.
• Reducing violence against women - services include the Violence Against Women Team, ASSIST (Advocacy, Support, Safety, Information Services Together), and TARA (Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance).
Our main office address is:
Glasgow Community and Safety Services, Westergate, 11 Hope Street,
Glasgow, G2 6AB
This is the address to which any documents or notices should be sent.
4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PUBLICATION SCHEME
4.1 The following person has overall responsibility for this scheme:
Davy Macdonald
Assistant Operations Manager
Strategic Services
Glasgow Community & Safety Services
Westergate
11 Hope Street
Glasgow
G2 6AB
Telephone number: 0141-276-7643
Fax number: 0141-276-7699
Email address: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk
4.2 The following person is responsible for maintaining the scheme on a daily basis:
Davy Macdonald
Assistant Operations Manager
Strategic Services
Glasgow Community & Safety Services
Westergate
11 Hope Street
Glasgow
G2 6AB
Telephone number: 0141-276-7643
Fax number: 0141-276-7699
Email address: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk
5. EXEMPTIONS
5.1 (a) All information included in this Scheme must be provided promptly on request (subject to the exemptions discussed below).
(b) Since 1 January 2005, the general entitlement to information under section 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 also allows any member of the public to make a request for information that is not in this Scheme.
GCSS's aim is to be as open as possible. However, information may be withheld from any of the classes of information listed in our scheme where we consider that the disclosure may fall within one of the exemptions contained in the Act. For example, we may withhold information if its disclosure would breach the law of confidentiality or seriously prejudice the commercial interests of any person or organisation. We may also withhold information which is personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998.
In these cases, we will withhold the information and indicate why the information is being withheld. Even where an exemption exists, it may nevertheless be possible to provide copies with the exempted information edited out.
If you wish to complain about information which is being withheld from you, please read the "complaints" section below at paragraph 10.
6. ARCHIVING POLICY
GCSS is obliged to make proper arrangements for the preservation and management of its records.
Some classes of information are renewed and updated periodically. Previous versions of documents of historical or archival significance, or which seem likely to be referred to even once they have been updated will be archived. In general records and documents will be retained for a period broadly equating to the length of time for which the document could be used in legal proceedings. A Record Management Scheme and Archiving Policy is currently under review and development, and copies will be available via our publication scheme in due course.
7. COPYRIGHT
7.1 Most of the information published in this Publication Scheme is copyright of Glasgow Community & Safety Services unless otherwise stated. Any re- use of this material must comply with the terms of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988 as amended (see http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880048_en_1) and/or the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/3032 - see http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1997/19973032.htm). Generally speaking, information obtained from this publication scheme can be copied or reproduced without formal permission provided it is copied or reproduced accurately, is not used in a misleading context and provided that the source of the material is identified and the copyright status acknowledged.
However, commercial exploitation or reproduction of this material is prohibited without the express permission of GCSS. Any person or organisation wishing to use this material commercially should contact GCSS to request permission to do so. Any requests for commercial use of information held by GCSS (whether provided under this Scheme or in response to a request under Section 1 of the Act) should be addressed to:
Assistant Operations Manager
Strategic Services
Glasgow Community & Safety Services
Westergate
11 Hope Street
Glasgow
G2 6AB
Telephone number: 0141-276-7643
Fax number: 0141-276-7699
Email address: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk
Some material we include in our scheme may be the copyright of a third party. Our rights to hold and use such material do not extend to others. You must obtain authorisation from the copyright holder(s) concerned if you wish to copy or reproduce such material.
8. ACCESSING INFORMATION UNDER THE PUBLICATION SCHEME
8.1 People can access information under the publication scheme in a number of ways. The information can be accessed as follows:
Online: information listed in our publication scheme is available from our website (www.saferglasgow.com).
By email: please email: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk with your request. We will send information to you by email, wherever practicable. When requesting information, please include a telephone number, so that we can telephone to clarify any details, if necessary.
By phone: Information can be requested over the telephone. Please provide full contact details, including a telephone number, so that we can telephone to clarify any details, if necessary.
By post or fax: All information is also available in a paper copy form. When requesting information, please include the following details: your name and address, the information or documents you want to see. Please include a telephone number, so that we can telephone to clarify any details, if necessary.
Personal visits:. Information listed under this scheme can also be accessed by visiting our premises. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.
Requests for information from this publication scheme should be submitted by post, in person, by fax or by email to:
Assistant Operations Manager
Strategic Services
Glasgow Community & Safety Services
Westergate
11 Hope Street
Glasgow
G2 6AB
Telephone number: 0141-276-7643
Fax number: 0141-276-7699
Email address: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk
Also, if you have difficulty determining the information you want to see please contact the above officer who will be happy to help.
9. CHARGING POLICY
The following charging policy relates to all of the classes of information contained in the scheme.
Information in this scheme will be available to view free of charge on our website. The website is currently under construction and it is our intention to make all information in the Scheme available through this format. Please note that all information placed on the GCSS's website may be accessed free of charge. Internet users may print off material from the website free of charge on their own computers (subject to the terms of Copyright notice as set out in section 7 of this scheme).
For material which is sent to you by post, GCSS will make a charge to cover reproduction and postage costs for paper copies or computer discs, but only if the total cost of sending you the information exceeds £5.00. Our charges are based on the following:
5p per side for standard A4 photocopy/printing
50p per CD Rom or floppy disc
Actual postage costs as charged by Royal Mail (these will, of course, depend on the size of the document/s and the location of the address to which they are sent).
GCSS will bear up to the first £5.00 cost of reproducing and sending you information. If the total cost is £9.50, you will be asked to pay only £4.50 towards the cost. Where a charge will apply, you will be told of this and we will send the information to you as soon as your payment is received.
Large print, Audio tape and Braille copies are available on request.
10. COMPLAINTS
If you want to comment on this scheme or if you require assistance or need to make a complaint, then you should contact:
Name: Davy Macdonald
Address: Assistant Operations Manager
Strategic Services
Glasgow Community & Safety Services
Westergate
11 Hope Street
Glasgow
G2 6AB
Telephone number: 0141-276-7643
Fax number: 0141-276-7699
Email address: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk
If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you are dissatisfied with the way we have dealt with your request, you can complain to the Scottish Information Commissioner who oversees the Act and whose contact details are below. Further details on a formal appeals mechanism are available on the Commissioner's website at www.itspublicknowledge.info.
The contact details for the Commissioner are:
Kevin Dunion, Scottish Information Commissioner,
Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DS,
telephone number 01334 464610,
email address enquiries@itspublicknowledge.info
11. FEEDBACK
11.1 As part of our statutory duty we are required to review our publication scheme periodically. GCSS welcomes feedback on how we can develop our scheme further. If you want to make any comments about the publication scheme or if you require any assistance please contact:-
Assistant Operations Manager
Strategic Services
Glasgow Community & Safety Services
Westergate
11 Hope Street
Glasgow
G2 6AB
Telephone number: 0141-276-7643
Fax number: 0141-276-7699
Email address: gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk
For example:
- What did you like and dislike about this Publication Scheme?
- What else would you like to see in this Publication Scheme?
- Did you find the information you wanted easily and were the members of staff helpful?
• Do you have any suggestions on how to make GCSS more open and transparent in the provision of information?
12. CLASSES OF INFORMATION
The classes of information that GCSS will be making available under its publication scheme are detailed through the following section. All entries are subject to the provisions of Section 5 above concerning exemptions.
Charges:
Information that is available electronically and can be sent by email is free of charge. Information that is requested in print form is subject to the charges as outlined in Section 9.
Accessing Information:
Please see Section 8 for full details
Format:
Information is available in printed and electronic format at present. All electronic format information will be sent by email. Please stipulate when requesting information whether you wish printed (hard copy) format, documents sent by email, or on CD format. Please note that we may provide information in a different format to that requested if it is not possible to meet the request (e.g. if there would be significant cost implications involved in providing it in the format specified).
If you require the information in a particular format, for example in Braille, on tape, or in a different language, the Company will take all reasonable steps to meet your request. Except where the different format is required because of a disability (e.g. a version in Braille), there may be costs associated with the conversion into your
desired format.
12.1 Organisational management
Definition / description:
Information on the arrangements for management, and decision making within GCSS.
Key Content: Memorandum and Articles of Association, information on Board members, minutes of Board meetings and relevant papers and reports covering strategic decisions making, strategic and operational plans, details of Board sub groups, organisational structure.
12.2 Financial management
Definition / description:
Information relating to the financial management of GCSS and financial policies and procedures governing GCSS and cost of services provided by GCSS.
Key Content: Auditors reports, service level agreements, expenses claims policy and procedures, budget procedures, budgets and expenditure reports, annual accounts, and any other relevant information.
12.3 Human resources
Definition / description
Information on the policies and procedures governing GCSS recruitment, management and remuneration of staff.
Key content: Equal Opportunities policy, Conditions of Service, recruitment and selection policy, information on pay e.g. pay scales, procedures for reviewing pay and staff performance review.
12.4 Performance
Definition / description:
Publications and information on the range of performance indicators and measures the Company uses to assess its performance in terms of its aims and objectives at corporate and service level, and GCSS's performance in relation to these.
Key content: Annual reports, annual performance reports, quarterly performance reports and measures the Company uses to assess its performance in terms of its aims and objectives at corporate and service level.
12.5 Service information
Definition , description
Information on specific services within GCSS including roles and remits, specific initiatives (see Section 3.1 for list of services)
Key content: organisational structure, service level agreements, leaflets, publicity, service descriptions.
12.6 News & Communications
Definition/ description
Communications issued to the media, general public and decision makers about GCSS activity and developments.
Key content: press releases, newsletters, media briefings, press responses, speeches.