Early Learning And Childcare Expansion Plans

Question

Further to the Scottish Government's announcement that early learning and childcare entitlement will be increased to 1140 hours per year by 2020 for all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds, we understand that your local authority has now produced an ELC Expansion Plan on delivery of this entitlement.

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we request a copy of the ELC Expansion Plan which sets out how your local authority aims to ensure provision of these 1140 hours.

Answer

Please see the information requested attached.

Whilst the Act creates a general right of access to information held by a Public Authority, this access is not unrestricted and is tempered by a number of statutory exemptions. We consider that the information which you have requested is exempt from disclosure under section 33 (1) (b)  Information is exempt under section 33 (1) (b) of FOISA if disclosure would, or be likely to substantialy prejudice the commercial interests of any person (in this case the Comhairle).  It is the position of the Comhairle that it is not in the interest of the public for this information to be released in to the public domain. 
 
The information in question relates to Appendix 6,  budget projections for the coming years and the balance of the public interest is in favour of allowing the Comhairle to continue its deliberations about budget strategy without that information being in the public domain at present.