Template requests on FindOut

Active travel spending

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils receive funding for cycling and walking infrastructure through their own budgets and from bodies such as Sustrans. FOI requests can reveal how much is being invested in active travel and where the money is going.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total capital and revenue spending on cycling and walking infrastructure. 2. A breakdown of spending by project or scheme, showing the project name, cost, and funding source. 3. The total length of dedicated cycling infrastructure (e.g. segregated cycle lanes, shared-use paths) in the authority area, in kilometres. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s roads or transport department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Additional support needs provision

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The number of children recorded as having additional support needs (ASN) in Scotland has risen sharply. Local data can tell you whether support is keeping pace with demand.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of children with an identified additional support need, broken down by type of need (e.g. social and emotional, learning disability, physical disability, autism spectrum). 2. The number of children with a coordinated support plan (CSP) in place. 3. The number of requests for a CSP that were refused during the period. 4. The number of children waiting for an educational psychology assessment as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s education department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Agency and temporary staff costs

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

When public bodies cannot fill permanent posts, they often use agency staff at a higher cost. Tracking this spending shows where recruitment problems are worst and how much extra the public is paying.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR]: 1. The total amount spent on agency and temporary staff. 2. A breakdown of this spending by department or directorate. 3. For each department, the number of agency workers engaged as a monthly average. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority. You can find the right authority in the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Air quality monitoring data

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Local authorities monitor air quality, particularly in areas where pollution levels may exceed legal limits. This data shows whether the air in your area is safe to breathe and whether it is getting better or worse over time.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information. For all air quality monitoring stations in [AREA e.g. town or council area], please provide: 1. The monthly average readings for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for [YEAR e.g. 2024]. 2. The monthly average readings for particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) for the same period. 3. Whether any readings exceeded the relevant air quality objectives. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s environmental health department. The Scottish Information Commissioner’s directory can help you find the right contact. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Allotment provision and waiting lists

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, councils have a duty to provide allotments where there is demand. This data shows how long people are waiting for a plot and whether supply is keeping up.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information: 1. The total number of allotment plots managed by the council. 2. The current number of people on the allotment waiting list. 3. The average waiting time from joining the list to being offered a plot. 4. The annual rent charged per standard-sized plot. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s parks or community services team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Anti-social behaviour complaints

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils and housing associations have a legal duty to deal with anti-social behaviour in their areas. FOI requests can reveal the scale of the problem and what action is being taken.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of anti-social behaviour complaints received. 2. A breakdown of complaints by type (e.g. noise, harassment, vandalism, drug-related, neighbour disputes). 3. The number of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) or other formal enforcement actions taken. 4. The average time taken to resolve complaints. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s community safety or housing team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Building warrant applications

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Building warrants are required before most construction or alteration work can begin. The numbers show the volume of development activity in your area and how quickly applications are being processed.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of building warrant applications received. 2. The number of applications approved and the number refused. 3. The average time taken from application to decision. 4. The number of applications still awaiting a decision as at the end of the period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s building standards department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Bus services and subsidies

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Many bus routes in Scotland only run because the council pays a subsidy. You can find out which routes are supported, what they cost, and how many people use them.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. A list of all bus routes subsidised or supported by the council. 2. The annual subsidy paid for each route. 3. Passenger numbers for each subsidised route, if held. 4. Any routes where the subsidy was withdrawn or reduced during the period, and the reason. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s transport department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Business case for a decision

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Major spending decisions and projects should be backed by a business case that sets out the options considered, expected costs and benefits, and why the chosen option was preferred. These documents are key to understanding whether public money is being spent wisely.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information: The business case, options appraisal, or equivalent document prepared for [PROJECT OR DECISION NAME], including any annexes or supporting analysis. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The public authority that made the decision. You can find the right authority in the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Cancelled operations and procedures

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

When a hospital cancels a planned operation, the patient has to wait longer and may need to rearrange work or care. These figures show how often cancellations happen and why.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of elective operations or procedures cancelled by the hospital (not by the patient). 2. A breakdown of cancellations by reason (e.g. no bed available, staff shortage, equipment issue, emergency case took priority). 3. The number of cancelled operations that were rescheduled within 28 days. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local NHS board. Find the right board on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Care home inspection and complaints

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Care Inspectorate regulates care homes for older people, adults, and children across Scotland. An FOI request can reveal how homes in your area are performing and whether concerns are being acted on.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The number of care home inspections carried out in [AREA e.g. council area or health board area], broken down by inspection type (announced, unannounced). 2. A breakdown of inspection grades awarded, using the Care Inspectorate's quality framework. 3. The number of complaints received about care homes in the area and the number upheld. 4. The number of enforcement actions taken (e.g. improvement notices, conditions imposed, cancellation of registration). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The Care Inspectorate. Find their contact details on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

CCTV use

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Many Scottish councils operate public space CCTV systems. The number of cameras, where they are, and what they cost to run are matters of public interest, particularly as surveillance technology becomes more capable.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information. 1. The total number of CCTV cameras operated by the authority in public spaces. 2. The locations of these cameras, by street or area. 3. The total annual cost of operating the CCTV system in [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 4. Whether any cameras use facial recognition or automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council, which usually operates public space CCTV, or Police Scotland, which has access to many systems. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Child protection register

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Every council maintains a child protection register listing children considered to be at risk of significant harm. The number of children on the register and the concerns recorded tell you about the scale of child protection work in your area.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The number of children on the child protection register. 2. A breakdown by the concerns identified at case conferences (e.g. domestic abuse, neglect, parental substance use, parental mental ill health, emotional abuse). Where more than one concern applies to a child, please include all concerns recorded. 3. The number of new registrations during [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 4. The number of deregistrations during the same period. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s social work or children’s services department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Committee meeting minutes

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies make many decisions through committees. Minutes record what was discussed and decided. Some are published routinely, but others, particularly internal working groups or sub-committees, may not be.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information: The minutes of all meetings of [COMMITTEE NAME] held between [START DATE] and [END DATE], including any appendices or papers circulated with the minutes. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The public authority that runs the committee. For council committees, write to the council. You can find the right authority in the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Complaints about a service

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies must record and respond to complaints under the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s model complaints handling procedure. Complaint data shows where services are falling short.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information about complaints relating to [SERVICE e.g. housing repairs, waste collection, GP practice] in [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of complaints received. 2. How many were upheld, partially upheld, and not upheld. 3. The average time taken to respond at each stage of the complaints process (frontline resolution and investigation). I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Complaints against police officers

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Complaints about police conduct are handled by Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department and overseen by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC). Understanding the volume and pattern of complaints is important for public accountability.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 1. The total number of complaints received about police officers. 2. A breakdown of complaints by category (e.g. incivility, excessive force, neglect of duty). 3. The number of complaints that were upheld, not upheld, or withdrawn. 4. The number of complaints referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC). I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

Consultancy spending

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies regularly hire external consultants for advice, reviews, and project work. This spending can be substantial and is not always visible in published accounts.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total amount spent on external consultancy services. 2. A list of each consultancy firm used, showing the purpose of the engagement and the amount paid. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Contaminated land

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils maintain a register of land that has been formally identified as contaminated under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They also hold information about sites that have been investigated but not formally designated. This matters if you live near a site or are considering buying property.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [AREA, POSTCODE, OR SITE ADDRESS]. 1. Whether the site appears on the contaminated land register. 2. Any site investigation reports held for the land. 3. Any remediation notices or voluntary remediation statements relating to the site. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s environmental health department. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Corporate credit card spending

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies issue corporate credit cards to staff for purchasing goods and services. Transaction data shows what is being bought, by whom, and whether spending is appropriate.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [PERIOD e.g. January to December 2024]: 1. The number of corporate credit cards or procurement cards currently issued to staff. 2. The total value of transactions during the period. 3. A list of all transactions above [THRESHOLD e.g. £500], showing the date, merchant name, amount, and the job title of the cardholder. I am not asking for the names of individuals, only job titles. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority: council, health board, or government agency. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Council housing energy efficiency

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils are working towards the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH), which sets minimum energy efficiency targets. This data shows how much of the housing stock meets the standard and what remains to be done.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The total number of council-owned homes. 2. The number and percentage of homes that meet the EESSH standard. 3. The number of homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below. 4. The estimated cost of bringing all homes up to the EESSH standard. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s housing department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Council housing repairs

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils are responsible for maintaining their housing stock. Repair data tells you how quickly they respond to tenants and whether a backlog is building up.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of repair reports received from tenants. 2. A breakdown by priority category (emergency, urgent, routine). 3. The average time taken to complete repairs in each priority category. 4. The number of outstanding repairs not yet completed as at the end of the financial year. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s housing repairs team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Council housing waiting list

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Council housing waiting lists show the demand for social housing in your area. How many people are waiting, and how long they wait, says a lot about how well allocation is working.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The total number of applicants on the council housing waiting list. 2. A breakdown of applicants by property size needed (1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, 4 or more bedrooms). 3. The average waiting time for each property size, from application to offer of tenancy. 4. The number of allocations made in [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25], broken down by property size. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Council spending on temporary accommodation

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils have a duty to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people. Understanding how much is spent, and on what type, shows whether public money is going to expensive B&Bs or more sustainable options.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information about temporary accommodation in [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total amount spent on temporary accommodation. 2. A breakdown of that spending by type of accommodation: bed and breakfast, hotel, hostel, private rental, and any other type. 3. The number of households placed in each type of accommodation during the same period. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council. You can find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Council tax collection and arrears

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Council tax is the main local tax on domestic properties in Scotland. Collection and arrears figures tell you how much is going unpaid and what the council does about it.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total amount of council tax billed. 2. The total amount collected during the financial year and the in-year collection rate. 3. The total value of council tax arrears outstanding at the end of the financial year. 4. A breakdown of enforcement actions taken during the period (e.g. summary warrants issued, earnings arrestments, bank arrestments, referrals to sheriff officers). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s revenues department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Council tax exemptions and discounts

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Various exemptions and discounts reduce the amount of council tax people pay. You can find out how many properties qualify, how much revenue the council forgoes, and which exemptions are most common.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The number of properties receiving a council tax exemption, broken down by exemption category (e.g. empty properties, student households, properties occupied by severely mentally impaired persons). 2. The total value of exemptions granted in each category. 3. The number of properties receiving a single person discount. 4. The number of second homes and long-term empty properties subject to a council tax premium, and the premium rate applied to each category. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Custody suite usage and conditions

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

People held in police custody are in a vulnerable position. Requesting this data can reveal how busy custody suites are, how long people are held, and whether healthcare needs are being met.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of people taken into police custody. 2. The average duration of custody. 3. The number of occasions a healthcare professional was called to attend a person in custody. 4. The number of complaints received about conditions in custody suites. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

Data protection breaches

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Data breaches at public bodies can expose personal information and erode public trust. FOI requests can reveal how often breaches happen and how serious they are.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of personal data breaches recorded. 2. A breakdown by type of breach (e.g. data sent to wrong recipient, lost or stolen device, unauthorised access, cyber incident). 3. The number of breaches reported to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). 4. A summary of any actions taken to prevent recurrence. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority: council, health board, police, or government agency. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Deaths and serious incidents in prison

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Deaths and serious incidents in prison are matters of significant public concern. The figures reveal the scale of the problem and whether trends are improving or worsening.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of deaths in custody, broken down by cause (e.g. natural causes, suicide, drug-related, homicide, awaiting determination). 2. The total number of recorded incidents of self-harm. 3. The number of serious assaults on prisoners by other prisoners. 4. The number of serious assaults on prison staff. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The Scottish Prison Service. Find their contact details on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Developer contributions

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

When councils grant planning permission for major developments, they can require developers to contribute to local infrastructure through section 75 agreements. A request like this shows how much has been collected and what it has been spent on.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total value of developer contributions received under section 75 agreements. 2. A breakdown of contributions by purpose (e.g. affordable housing, education, transport, open space). 3. The total value of developer contributions held but not yet spent as at the end of the period. 4. A list of section 75 agreements entered into during the period, showing the development site and the obligations agreed. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s planning department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Disciplinary and grievance cases

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Disciplinary and grievance data shows how workplace issues are being handled across a public body. High numbers may indicate management problems or a poor working culture.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of formal disciplinary cases initiated, broken down by category (e.g. conduct, performance, attendance). 2. The outcome of each disciplinary case (e.g. no action, written warning, final written warning, dismissal). 3. The total number of formal grievances raised by employees. 4. The number of grievances upheld, partially upheld, and not upheld. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Discretionary housing payments

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Discretionary housing payments (DHPs) help people who cannot afford their rent, often because of the bedroom tax, the benefit cap, or a shortfall between Local Housing Allowance and their actual rent. Scottish Government policy is that bedroom tax and benefit cap DHPs should always be awarded, but councils have more discretion for other cases.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of DHP applications received. 2. The number of applications awarded and the total amount paid out. 3. The number of applications refused and the most common reasons for refusal. 4. A breakdown of awards by reason for application (e.g. bedroom tax, benefit cap, local housing allowance shortfall). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s benefits or revenues department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Domestic abuse incidents

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Domestic abuse is a significant public safety issue. Police data shows the volume of reports, charging rates, and how the picture varies across Scotland.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of domestic abuse incidents recorded. 2. The number of incidents that resulted in at least one criminal charge. 3. A breakdown of incidents by local policing division. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

Drug-related incidents and seizures

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scotland has one of the highest drug death rates in Europe. Police data on drug seizures and incidents helps show the scale of drug activity in different areas and how enforcement resources are being used.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of drug-related offences recorded, broken down by offence type (e.g. possession, supply, production). 2. The number of drug seizures, broken down by drug type. 3. A breakdown of drug-related offences by local policing division. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

Early learning and childcare provision

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

All three- and four-year-olds in Scotland are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year. This data shows whether there are enough places and how they are being delivered.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [SCHOOL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of children receiving funded early learning and childcare, broken down by age (eligible two-year-olds, three-year-olds, four-year-olds). 2. The number of funded places provided by council nurseries and the number provided by funded partner providers (private, voluntary, and childminder settings). 3. The number of applications for a funded place that the council was unable to meet within the parent's preferred setting or location. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s early years or education department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Electric vehicle charging points

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils are installing electric vehicle charging points across Scotland to support the transition to electric vehicles. This data shows how many chargers exist, how much they are used, and what they cost.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The total number of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points owned or managed by the council, broken down by charger speed (slow, fast, rapid). 2. The total number of charging sessions recorded during [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 3. The total cost of installing and maintaining the charging network during the period. 4. The total revenue generated from charging fees during the period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Empty and void council properties

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

When council homes sit empty, they cannot house the people on the waiting list. This request tells you how quickly councils are turning around empty homes.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The total number of void (empty) council properties. 2. A breakdown of void properties by how long they have been empty (under 4 weeks, 4 to 12 weeks, 12 to 26 weeks, over 26 weeks). 3. The average turnaround time from a property becoming void to a new tenant moving in, for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 4. The number of properties classified as long-term void (empty for more than 6 months) and the reason for each (e.g. awaiting repair, awaiting demolition, low demand). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Energy use in council buildings

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils operate hundreds of buildings, from offices and schools to leisure centres and depots. This data shows how much energy they use and whether consumption is falling in line with climate targets.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total energy consumption across all council-owned or operated buildings, broken down by energy type (electricity, gas, oil, other). 2. The total cost of energy for all council buildings. 3. The total carbon emissions from council buildings, in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. 4. A list of the ten highest energy-consuming buildings by total kWh. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s estates or sustainability team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Equal pay claims

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Equal pay claims have cost Scottish councils hundreds of millions of pounds. This data shows the current scale of claims and what has been spent resolving them.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The total number of equal pay claims currently outstanding against the authority. 2. The total amount paid in equal pay settlements during [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 3. The total amount paid in equal pay settlements since the authority first began receiving claims. 4. The total spent on legal fees in relation to equal pay claims during [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council or other public body that has received equal pay claims. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Equality impact assessments

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies to consider the impact of their policies on people with protected characteristics. Equality impact assessments (EQIAs) document this analysis. They should be carried out before major decisions, but they are not always published.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information: The equality impact assessment carried out for [POLICY OR DECISION NAME], including any updated or revised versions. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The public authority that made the policy or decision. You can find the right authority in the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Flood risk assessments

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Flood risk assessments are carried out before developments are approved in areas that may be at risk of flooding. They are also produced as part of local flood risk management plans. These documents show what risks have been identified and what mitigation is planned.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information relating to [AREA OR DEVELOPMENT NAME]. 1. Any flood risk assessments carried out for this area or development. 2. Any recommendations made in those assessments. 3. Any conditions imposed as a result of the assessments. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council for planning-related assessments, or SEPA for strategic flood risk data. Use the Scottish Information Commissioner’s directory to find the right contact. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Fly-tipping incidents

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Fly-tipping is illegal dumping of waste on land that does not have a licence to accept it. This data shows the scale of the problem in your area and what is being done about it.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of fly-tipping incidents reported or recorded. 2. The total cost of clearing fly-tipped waste. 3. The number of fixed penalty notices issued for fly-tipping. 4. The number of prosecutions brought for fly-tipping offences and the number that resulted in a conviction. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s environmental services or waste management team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

FOI response times and compliance

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies are required to respond to FOI requests within 20 working days. This data shows how many requests an authority receives and whether it is meeting its legal obligations.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of FOI and EIR requests received. 2. The number of requests responded to within the statutory 20 working day deadline. 3. The number of requests where a fees notice was issued. 4. The number of requests refused in full or in part, broken down by the exemption or exception relied on. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Foster care allowances

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Foster carers receive a weekly allowance to cover the cost of looking after a child. Rates vary between councils and are not always published, so a request can help you find out how your council compares.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The weekly foster care allowance rate for each age band of child. 2. Any additional allowances or enhancements available (e.g. for children with complex needs, sibling groups, or holiday periods). 3. The fee or reward element paid to foster carers, if separate from the maintenance allowance. 4. The number of approved foster carers currently registered with the council. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s children’s services or fostering team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Free school meal uptake

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Free school meals are an important indicator of child poverty and a key measure of whether eligible families are taking up the support available. Uptake data by school helps identify where families may be missing out.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [SCHOOL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of pupils registered for free school meals, broken down by primary and secondary. 2. The average daily uptake rate for free school meals, broken down by school. 3. The number of pupils entitled to a free school meal who are not registered. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Gender pay gap

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The gender pay gap shows the difference between what men and women are paid on average. Public bodies are expected to report on their gender pay gap, but published figures often lack the breakdown needed to understand where the gap falls.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The mean and median gender pay gap across the whole organisation. 2. A breakdown of the gender pay gap by grade or pay band. 3. The proportion of male and female employees in each pay quartile (lower, lower middle, upper middle, upper). 4. The gender pay gap for part-time employees compared with full-time employees. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Gifts and hospitality register

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies require staff and elected members to declare gifts and hospitality received from external parties. Some authorities publish their register online, so check the authority’s website first. If it is not published, or if the published version lacks detail, this request will get you the full picture.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The gifts and hospitality register for all staff and elected members, showing the date, the name and role of the recipient, a description of the gift or hospitality, the estimated value, and the name of the provider. 2. The total number of entries recorded during the period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

GP appointment waiting times

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

National surveys ask patients about GP access, but practice-level data on actual waiting times is not routinely published. A request to the NHS board can get you the real numbers for your local practice.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [PRACTICE NAME] for [QUARTER e.g. January to March 2025]: 1. The average number of days between a patient requesting a routine appointment and being seen. 2. The number of appointments offered during the quarter, broken down by type (face-to-face, telephone, video). 3. The number of appointments where the patient did not attend (DNA rate). 4. The number of days during the quarter when no routine appointments were available to book. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The relevant NHS board. GP practices are contracted by the NHS board, but they are independent contractors - the board only holds the practice-level data it has collected, and may not hold day-to-day appointment-system data. Use the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities to find the right board for your area. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Grants to external organisations

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies award grants to charities, community groups, and businesses. An FOI request can reveal who is receiving public funding and how much.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. A list of all grants or funding awards made to external organisations, showing the name of the recipient, the amount awarded, and the purpose of the grant. 2. The total value of all grants awarded during the period. 3. The number of grant applications received and the number refused. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority that awards grants: councils, the Scottish Government, and agencies such as Creative Scotland or sportscotland. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Healthcare-associated infections

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Healthcare-associated infections are a serious patient safety issue. An FOI request can reveal how well a hospital is controlling the spread of infections, and where problems are concentrated.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of healthcare-associated infections recorded, broken down by infection type (e.g. MRSA, C. difficile, E. coli, surgical site infections). 2. A breakdown by hospital site. 3. The number of infection-related ward closures or bed closures during the period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local NHS board. Find the right board on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Homelessness applications and outcomes

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Every council in Scotland has a legal duty to assess people who present as homeless. The numbers tell you how well local homelessness services are actually working.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of homelessness applications received. 2. The number of applicants assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness. 3. A breakdown of the type of duty owed to each applicant (e.g. provision of settled accommodation, provision of temporary accommodation, advice and assistance). 4. The number of cases closed during the same period and the outcome for each (e.g. settled accommodation secured, lost contact, application withdrawn). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s housing or homelessness team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Hospital bed occupancy rates

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

High bed occupancy rates can affect patient safety and the ability to admit new patients. Requesting this data can show how much pressure your local hospital is under.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The average monthly bed occupancy rate for each hospital site in the board area. 2. A breakdown of occupancy by ward type (e.g. acute medical, surgical, maternity, mental health). 3. The number of days during the period when occupancy exceeded 95% at any site. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local NHS board. Find the right board on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Hospital waiting times

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

NHS boards track how long patients wait for treatment. Published statistics often cover Scotland as a whole. Requesting data for a specific hospital or specialty gives a more detailed picture.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [HOSPITAL NAME] as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment, broken down by specialty. 2. For each specialty, the number of patients who had been waiting longer than 12 weeks. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The relevant NHS board. Use the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities to find the right board for your area. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Housing land supply

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils are required to maintain an adequate supply of land for housing. An FOI request can reveal whether enough land is being brought forward and whether completions are meeting local demand.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information: 1. The current effective housing land supply in years, as calculated in the council's most recent housing land audit. 2. The total number of housing completions for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25], broken down by tenure (private, affordable, social rent). 3. The number of sites with planning permission where development has not yet started, and the total number of units on those sites. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s planning or housing strategy team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Internal audit reports

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Internal audit teams review how well a public body manages its risks, finances, and operations. Their reports highlight weaknesses and make recommendations for improvement.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information: 1. A list of all internal audit reports completed during [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25], showing the title and the assurance rating given (e.g. substantial, reasonable, limited, no assurance). 2. A copy of any internal audit report that received a rating of limited assurance or below. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

IT systems and contracts

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies spend significant sums on IT systems. Knowing what systems are in use, who supplies them, and what they cost helps the public understand whether technology spending represents good value.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information: A list of all IT systems currently in use for delivering services or managing core business functions, including for each system: 1. The name and purpose of the system. 2. The supplier. 3. The annual licence or contract cost. 4. The contract expiry date. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Legal costs

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies sometimes spend large sums on external lawyers for litigation, judicial reviews, employment tribunals, and other legal matters. These costs are paid from public funds.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total amount spent on external legal services. 2. For each matter where external legal fees exceeded [AMOUNT e.g. £10,000], please provide: a. The nature of the matter, without identifying any individuals involved. b. The law firm instructed. c. The total fees paid. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Leisure centre usage and costs

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Many councils operate or fund leisure centres, swimming pools, and sports facilities. An FOI request can reveal how well they are being used and what they cost the public purse.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of visits to each leisure facility operated or funded by the council. 2. The total operating cost for each facility. 3. The total income generated by each facility (including membership fees, pay-and-play, and any other charges). 4. The net subsidy from the council to each facility (i.e. operating cost minus income). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council or the leisure trust that operates facilities on the council’s behalf. Many councils have transferred leisure services to arm’s-length trusts. Find the right body on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Library services and closures

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public libraries are a statutory service. An FOI request can show whether your council is maintaining library provision or quietly cutting it back.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of public libraries operated by the council. 2. The total number of active borrowers and the total number of items issued (physical and digital). 3. The total weekly opening hours for each library, and any changes to opening hours compared with the previous year. 4. The number of library staff (FTE) and any change compared with the previous year. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s libraries or culture department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Lobbying meetings and external interests

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Meetings between senior officials and external interests, including lobbyists, developers, and industry bodies, can influence policy decisions. An FOI request can show who is getting access and how often.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [PERIOD e.g. January to December 2024]: 1. A list of all meetings between [ROLE e.g. the Chief Executive, council leader, or board chair] and external organisations, showing the date, the organisation met, and the subject discussed. 2. Any briefing papers or agendas prepared for these meetings. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority. For meetings with Scottish Government ministers, submit your request to the Scottish Government. For council leaders or chief executives, submit to the relevant council. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Looked-after children placements

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Looked-after children may be placed in foster care, residential homes, or other settings. Placement type matters for the child’s wellbeing and makes a big difference to cost.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]: 1. The total number of looked-after children. 2. A breakdown by placement type (council foster care, independent agency foster care, council residential home, independent residential provider, kinship care, other). 3. The number of children placed outside the council area. 4. The average weekly cost per child for each placement type in [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s children’s services department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Mental health waiting times

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Demand for mental health services has grown across Scotland. National waiting time targets exist, but local data tells you whether people in your area are actually being seen on time.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [QUARTER e.g. January to March 2025]: 1. The number of referrals received for [SERVICE e.g. adult mental health / child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS)]. 2. The number of patients seen for a first assessment during the quarter. 3. The number of patients waiting for a first assessment at the end of the quarter, broken down by waiting time (under 4 weeks, 4 to 12 weeks, 12 to 18 weeks, over 18 weeks). 4. The number of patients waiting to start treatment after assessment at the end of the quarter. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Ministerial correspondence

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Correspondence between ministers and public bodies can reveal how decisions are made, what advice is given, and what pressure is applied. The Scottish Information Commissioner has ordered disclosure of ministerial correspondence in multiple cases.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information: 1. All correspondence between [AUTHORITY NAME or NAMED OFFICIAL] and [MINISTER or SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT DIRECTORATE] relating to [TOPIC e.g. the closure of a service, a policy decision, a funding allocation] during [PERIOD e.g. January 2024 to December 2024]. This includes letters, emails, and any attachments. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

You can send this to either the public body or the Scottish Government, as both hold copies of the correspondence. If one refuses, try the other. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Missing persons reports

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Police Scotland handles thousands of missing persons reports each year. Many involve vulnerable people, including children in care. The figures reveal the scale of the problem and how quickly people are found.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of missing persons reports received. 2. A breakdown by age group (e.g. under 16, 16–17, 18–64, 65 and over). 3. The number of repeat missing reports (where the same person was reported missing more than once during the period). 4. The average time from report to the person being found safe. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

NHS agency and locum staff spending

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

NHS boards use agency nurses and locum doctors to fill gaps in their workforce. Annual accounts include a total figure, but not which departments are spending the most or how many shifts are being covered.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total spend on agency nursing staff. 2. The total spend on locum medical staff (doctors). 3. For each, a breakdown by department or specialty (e.g. emergency medicine, general surgery, mental health, general medicine). 4. The number of shifts filled by agency or locum staff during the period, if recorded. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

NHS complaints

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

NHS boards handle thousands of complaints each year. The numbers show which services generate the most concern and whether complaints are being resolved.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of complaints received. 2. A breakdown of complaints by service area or department. 3. The number of complaints upheld, partially upheld, and not upheld. 4. The average time taken to respond to complaints at each stage of the complaints process. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local NHS board. Find the right board on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Noise assessments

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Noise assessments are carried out as part of planning applications for developments that may generate significant noise, such as wind farms, industrial sites, music venues, or major roads. They are also produced for noise action plans under the Environmental Noise Directive.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information relating to [DEVELOPMENT OR AREA NAME]. 1. Any noise impact assessments submitted or commissioned. 2. The predicted noise levels at the nearest sensitive receptors (e.g. homes, schools). 3. Any noise conditions attached to the planning consent or licence. 4. Any monitoring results showing actual noise levels after the development became operational. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s planning or environmental health department. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Overtime spending

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Overtime spending can be a sign of understaffing or poor workforce planning. The figures show which departments are relying most heavily on overtime and how much it costs.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total cost of overtime payments across the authority. 2. A breakdown of overtime costs by department or service area. 3. The total number of overtime hours worked across the authority. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Parking enforcement

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils enforce parking restrictions and issue penalty charge notices. You can find out which streets are most heavily enforced, how much revenue parking generates, and how often drivers successfully appeal.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of penalty charge notices (parking tickets) issued. 2. A breakdown of tickets issued by street or area (top 20 locations by volume). 3. The total revenue collected from parking penalties. 4. The number of appeals or challenges received and the number upheld in favour of the driver. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s parking or roads department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Payments to a named supplier

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

If you want to know how much a public body is paying a particular company, you can ask for the total value of payments. This is useful for tracking outsourcing, major contracts, or potential conflicts of interest.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information about payments made to [COMPANY NAME] in [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total amount paid to this company during the period. 2. A list of each payment, showing the date, the amount, and what the payment was for. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority that you believe has a contract or relationship with the company. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Pest control services

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils provide pest control services for homes and businesses. The figures show what pests are most common in your area and whether the service is keeping up with demand.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of pest control callouts or service requests received. 2. A breakdown of requests by pest type (e.g. rats, mice, wasps, bedbugs, cockroaches). 3. The average waiting time from request to first visit. 4. Whether the council charges for domestic pest control treatments and, if so, the current charge for each pest type. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s environmental health department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Planning decision correspondence

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Planning decisions affect communities directly. The correspondence between planners, developers, and consultees shows how a decision was reached and whether all relevant factors were considered.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information about planning application [REFERENCE NUMBER]: 1. All correspondence between the planning department and the applicant or their agent. 2. All consultation responses received from statutory and non-statutory consultees. 3. Any internal planning department correspondence about the application. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The local council’s planning department. You can find your council in the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Planning enforcement action

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

When development takes place without permission or in breach of planning conditions, councils can take enforcement action. The figures show how actively your council enforces planning rules.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of planning enforcement complaints or reports received. 2. The number of enforcement notices served, broken down by type (e.g. enforcement notice, breach of condition notice, stop notice). 3. The number of enforcement cases resolved without formal action. 4. The number of cases still open as at the end of the period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s planning enforcement team. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Prescribing costs

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

NHS boards spend significant sums on prescribing medicines. The figures show where the money goes and whether costs are rising or falling in particular areas.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total cost of prescribing across the board area. 2. A breakdown of prescribing costs by the ten highest-cost therapeutic categories. 3. The number of prescription items dispensed in each of those categories. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local NHS board. Find the right board on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Prison complaints

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Prisoners have the right to make complaints about their treatment and conditions. The figures show what prisoners are complaining about and whether complaints are being resolved.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of complaints received from prisoners across all establishments, or at [NAMED PRISON]. 2. A breakdown of complaints by category (e.g. healthcare, conditions, staff conduct, regime, transfers). 3. The number of complaints upheld, partially upheld, and not upheld. 4. The average time taken to respond to complaints. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Procurement contract awards

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies spend billions of pounds each year on goods, services, and works through procurement contracts. The figures show which suppliers are winning public contracts and at what value.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. A list of all contracts awarded with a value above [THRESHOLD e.g. £50,000], showing the contract title, the supplier name, the contract value, and the contract start and end dates. 2. The number of contracts awarded following a competitive tender and the number awarded through direct award or single-source procurement. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Pupil attendance and absence rates

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Regular attendance is closely linked to educational outcomes. Absence data by school shows where attendance is a concern and what kinds of absence are most common.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [SCHOOL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The overall attendance rate for each school in the authority. 2. A breakdown of absence by category (e.g. authorised, unauthorised, sickness, family holiday) for each school. 3. The number of pupils with attendance below 80% (sometimes categorised as severely absent), broken down by primary and secondary. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Risk assessments

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies maintain risk registers that record identified risks to projects, services, and finances, along with how they plan to manage them. These documents show what could go wrong and whether there is a plan to deal with it.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information: The current risk register or risk assessment for [PROJECT OR SERVICE NAME], including the description of each risk, its likelihood and impact rating, and the planned mitigations. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The public authority responsible for the project or service. You can find the right authority in the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Road and pothole repairs

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils are responsible for maintaining public roads. The number of pothole reports and how quickly they are fixed tells you how well the roads service is performing in your area.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of pothole or road defect reports received. 2. The average time between a report being received and the repair being completed. 3. The number of reports still outstanding as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025]. 4. The total amount spent on pothole and road surface repairs. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s roads department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Road maintenance budget and spending

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils are responsible for maintaining local roads. These requests reveal how much is being spent, whether spending is keeping pace with deterioration, and which roads are in the worst condition.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total budget allocated for road maintenance (capital and revenue separately). 2. The total actual expenditure on road maintenance during the period. 3. The percentage of the road network classified as in need of maintenance, based on the council's most recent road condition survey. 4. The estimated backlog of road maintenance work, in monetary terms. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Road safety incidents

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils hold data on road traffic accidents reported in their area. You can use it to find out which roads and junctions have the most accidents.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [CALENDAR YEAR e.g. 2024]: 1. The total number of road traffic accidents reported in the authority area. 2. A breakdown by severity (fatal, serious injury, slight injury). 3. The locations with the highest number of accidents (top 10 junctions or road sections). 4. For each of the top 10 locations, any speed survey data collected during the same period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

School budgets and per-pupil spending

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Schools are funded by councils, but the amount each school gets varies. Per-pupil spending lets you see whether your local school is getting its fair share.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [SCHOOL NAME] for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total budget allocation for the school. 2. A breakdown of the budget by category (staffing, premises, supplies, other). 3. The number of pupils on the school roll used to calculate the budget. 4. The per-pupil spending figure. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

School building conditions

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils are responsible for maintaining school buildings. Condition survey data shows which schools need the most work and whether maintenance has been deferred.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information: 1. The condition rating for each school building in the authority, using the School Estate Core Facts A to D scale. 2. The date of the most recent condition survey for each school. 3. The total estimated cost of outstanding maintenance and repair work across the school estate. 4. A list of any schools rated C (poor) or D (bad). I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s education or property services department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

School exclusions

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

School exclusions affect children’s education. The Scottish Government publishes national statistics, but local data shows what is happening at individual schools.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The number of temporary exclusions, broken down by school. 2. The number of exclusions resulting in removal from the register, broken down by school. 3. For each school, a breakdown of exclusions by whatever reason categories the authority records. 4. The total number of school days lost to exclusion across the authority. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

School inspection follow-up actions

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

When His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (which took over school inspections from Education Scotland in March 2026) inspects a school and identifies areas for improvement, the council is expected to take action. Inspection reports are published, but the follow-up is often not.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Following the inspection of [SCHOOL NAME] published on [INSPECTION REPORT DATE], please provide: 1. The action plan produced in response to the inspection findings. 2. Any progress reports on that action plan. 3. Any correspondence between the council's education department and the school about the inspection findings. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

The local council responsible for the school. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Senior staff pay and expenses

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies must account for how they spend public money, including what they pay their most senior staff. This information is sometimes published in annual accounts, but often not broken down in useful detail.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. For each employee earning above [THRESHOLD e.g. £80,000] per year, please provide: 1. Their job title. 2. Their total salary. 3. Any bonuses or performance-related payments received. 4. The total expenses claimed. I am not asking for the names of individuals, only job titles. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Settlement agreements

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Settlement agreements, sometimes called compromise agreements, are used when staff leave following a dispute. They often include confidentiality clauses. This data shows how often they are used and at what cost.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of settlement agreements entered into with departing staff. 2. The total value of payments made under settlement agreements. 3. The number of those agreements that included a confidentiality clause. 4. The job title and grade of each departing employee who received a settlement agreement. I am not asking for the names of individuals, only job titles and grades. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Severance and redundancy payments

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

When senior staff leave a public body, they sometimes receive substantial severance payments. This data shows how much public money is being spent on exit packages and whether appropriate governance is in place.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of staff who received a severance or redundancy payment. 2. The total value of all severance and redundancy payments made. 3. A breakdown of payments by value band (e.g. under £20,000, £20,000–£50,000, £50,000–£100,000, over £100,000). 4. The job title and payment value for any individual severance package exceeding £100,000. I am not asking for the names of individuals, only job titles. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Social work caseloads

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Social workers in Scotland handle child protection, adult support, and other critical services. High caseloads and staff shortages directly affect the quality of support vulnerable people receive.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. 31 March 2025], broken down by team (children and families, adults, criminal justice): 1. The number of qualified social workers employed, as full-time equivalent. 2. The number of social worker vacancies. 3. The total number of open cases. 4. The average caseload per social worker. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s social work department. Find your council on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Staff numbers and vacancies

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Staffing levels directly affect the services a public body can deliver. Knowing where vacancies are concentrated shows where services may be under pressure.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information as at [DATE]: 1. The number of staff in post (full-time equivalent) by department or directorate. 2. The number of funded but vacant posts by department or directorate. 3. For each department, how many vacancies have been open for longer than six months. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Staff sickness absence rates

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sickness absence affects service delivery and staff wellbeing. High absence rates in a particular department may indicate problems with workload, management, or working conditions.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR]: 1. The total number of working days lost to sickness absence. 2. The average number of days lost per employee. 3. A breakdown of absence days by department or directorate. 4. The proportion of absence that was long-term (more than four weeks). I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Stop and search data

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Police Scotland records every stop and search carried out by officers. The numbers show how often the power is used, where, and whether it is leading to results.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of stop and searches carried out. 2. A breakdown of stop and searches by the reason or legislation used. 3. The number of stop and searches that resulted in an item being found (the positive rate). 4. A breakdown of stop and search activity by local policing division. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

Teacher numbers and vacancies

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Teacher shortages affect the quality of education children receive. If you want to know how many posts are unfilled and how often supply teachers fill the gaps, this is the request to use.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information as at [DATE e.g. September 2025]: 1. The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers employed by the authority. 2. The number of teacher vacancies currently advertised or unfilled. 3. The number of days of supply teacher cover used in [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25], broken down by school. 4. The total spend on supply teachers in the same period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Training spend

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Investment in staff training affects service quality and workforce development. Knowing how training budgets are allocated shows what an authority prioritises for its workforce.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], I am writing to request the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR]: 1. The total amount spent on staff training and development. 2. A breakdown of this spending by category (e.g. mandatory or compliance training, professional development, leadership programmes, external courses). 3. The total number of training days provided. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Tree felling permissions

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Felling trees in Scotland usually requires a licence from Scottish Forestry. Councils also manage trees under tree preservation orders and planning conditions. Knowing what felling has been permitted, and what replacement planting is required, helps communities track changes to their local environment.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [AREA OR SITE] in [YEAR e.g. 2024]. 1. Any tree felling permissions or felling licences granted. 2. The number and species of trees approved for felling in each permission. 3. Any replacement planting conditions attached to each permission and whether those conditions have been met. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council for trees covered by tree preservation orders or planning conditions, or Scottish Forestry for felling licences. Use the Scottish Information Commissioner’s directory to find the right contact. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Use of force by police

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Police Scotland records every incident where officers use force. This data shows how often force is used, what types of force are most common, and whether use of force is proportionate.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 1. The total number of use of force incidents recorded. 2. A breakdown of incidents by type of force used (e.g. handcuffing, PAVA spray, baton, Taser, firearms). 3. The number of incidents that resulted in injury to the subject. 4. A breakdown of use of force incidents by local policing division. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

Use of separation and segregation in prison

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Prisoners can be placed in separation or segregation for their own safety or the safety of others. Extended periods in segregation raise serious human rights concerns.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of prisoners placed in separation or segregation during the period. 2. The average and maximum duration of separation. 3. A breakdown by the reason for separation (e.g. good order and discipline, own protection, pending investigation). 4. The number of prisoners who spent more than 72 hours in segregation. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Waste and recycling rates

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Councils collect and manage household waste and recycling. Scotland’s Zero Waste Plan set a target to recycle 70% of all waste by 2025, with an earlier 60% household recycling target. Understanding how much waste your council collects and how much is actually recycled shows whether progress is being made.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]. 1. The total tonnage of household waste collected. 2. The tonnage recycled, composted, and sent to landfill or incineration. 3. A breakdown of recycled material by type (e.g. paper, glass, plastic, food waste, garden waste). 4. The overall household recycling rate achieved. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Your local council’s waste management department. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Water quality and sewage discharge

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Combined sewer overflows discharge untreated sewage into rivers and coastal waters during heavy rainfall. The frequency and duration of these discharges affects water quality and public health, particularly near bathing waters and shellfish areas.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [WATERWAY OR AREA NAME] in [YEAR e.g. 2024]. 1. The number of combined sewer overflow discharges. 2. The total duration of discharges in hours. 3. The locations of each discharge point. 4. Any water quality monitoring results for the affected stretch. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Scottish Water for discharge data, or SEPA for water quality monitoring and licence conditions. Use the Scottish Information Commissioner’s directory to find the right contact. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

Whistleblowing disclosures

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Whistleblowing allows staff to raise concerns about wrongdoing, risk, or malpractice. The numbers can reveal whether the process is working and whether concerns are being acted on.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of whistleblowing disclosures received. 2. A breakdown by category of concern (e.g. fraud, health and safety, malpractice, patient safety, environmental harm). 3. The number of disclosures that led to an investigation. 4. The number of investigations that resulted in action being taken. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

Wildlife management and licences

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Public bodies manage wildlife populations through culling, licensing, and habitat management. Asking for this information reveals how wildlife is being managed in your area and the scale of any lethal control.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The number of deer culled on land managed by the authority, broken down by species. 2. The number of general licences and specific licences issued for the control of wild birds or other protected species. 3. Any wildlife management plans currently in operation and the species they cover. I would prefer to receive this by email. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]

Who to send it to#

This depends on what you are looking for. NatureScot manages wildlife licensing in Scotland. Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland manage deer on public forest land. Your local council may also carry out wildlife management. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.