Freedom of information
On this page you can find out about how to access held by Architecture and Design Scotland, and your rights as part of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act.
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 was designed to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public sector bodies by providing people with access to the information held by them.
Information can be requested under the Act. It’s important to mention that exemptions can apply, but we will only use these where it’s unavoidable. An example of this might be where information is of a commercially sensitive nature.
Architecture and Design Scotland has adopted the Scottish Information Commissioners Model Publication Scheme and has produced and published our Model Publication Scheme 2015 which details the information we make available in each of the Classes identified.
If you have a request for information, please contact our Corporate Infrastructure Manager:
Email: info@ads.org.uk
Phone: 0131 556 6699
International: +44 131 556 6699
Complaints
If you have a complaint about Architecture and Design Scotland, please see our complaints handling procedure below.
Complaints handling procedure
Sample complaints letter
Queries?
If you have any questions about the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, or the Data Protection Act 2018, please contact the Communications Manager on 0131 556 6699.
Alternatively you can find out more information from:
Scottish Information Commissioner - https://www.itspublicknowledge.info
Information Commissioner's Office https://ico.org.uk
Additionally, services such as ‘What Do They Know’ can be used to submit requests http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/
Guidance
Architecture and Design Scotland’s board members and design forum panellists are provided with guidance as to how they should undertake their roles on behalf of the organisation.
The Guidance for members of Architecture and Design Scotland's board can be found here.
The Guidance for Design forum panellists can be found be found here - PDF.
Reporting Obligations
As a non-departmental public body, we are obliged to report on a range of information under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. These include expenditures in relation to:
- public relations
- overseas travel
- hospitality and entertainment (given)
- external consultancy
Reporting for 2023/24 is set out below
Reporting for 2023/24
Here you can find information about the expenses incurred by Architecture and Design Scotland during the year. This includes information such as:
- in-house staff costs
- overseas travel and subsistence
- hospitality and entertainment
- external consultancy
- payments with value in excess of £25,000
- payments with a cumulative value of greater than £25,000
- member of employees who receive remuneration in excess of £150,000
The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, section 32(1)(b) requires listed public bodies to publish a statement in relation to efficiency, effectiveness and economy as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.
The following statement sets out the steps that we have taken in 2023/24 to improve our efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the exercise of its functions.
Further information on this and our work is contained in our Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24 which is on our website.
In year Savings
In 2023/24, we delivered a balanced budget despite our core grant remaining the same and staff costs increasing due to annual pay uplifts agreed with Trade Unions in the two year pay deal.
Architecture and Design Scotland continues to work with other scrutiny bodies to make sure that the scrutiny of local government is better targeted and more proportionate to the identified risks.
Sharing services and resources within the public sector allows economy of scale cost and efficiency savings. Where sharing does not impact our independence, we have done this.
For example:
- We use the Public Contracts Scotland portal to procure services for Architecture and Design Scotland.
- We have a shared service contract with 3 other small NDPBs for the provision of payroll services.
The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, section 32(1)(a) requires listed public bodies to publish a statement on sustainable economic growth as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.
This statement sets out the steps that we have taken in 2023/24 to promote and increase sustainable growth through the exercise of its functions.
Further information on this and our audit work is contained in our Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24. This is available on our website.
Sustainable economic growth and contribution to the National Performance Framework
We contribute to sustainable economic growth and the National Performance Framework as an employer. For example:
- During 2023-24 all our workforce worked from home at least part of the week and all have the opportunity to work flexibly within their contracted hours over the week, this supports a diverse range of needs and assists in the balance of personal and working lives.
- This year colleagues received an average of 18 days of training and personal development to increase knowledge, skills, efficiency and effectiveness.
We adhere to the Fair Work guidance as follows:
- Engagement with a recognised trade union
- Accredited Living Wage employer
- A commitment to tackling job insecurity through the minimisation of fixed-term contracts, a commitment to non-compulsory redundancies and non-adoption of zero-hours contracts.
Growing the economy by improving the lives of people in Scotland through good design
We believe in the power of design to improve people’s lives: Whether it is a single building or a whole town, good design responds creatively and sustainably to the needs of all of those who use a place. Good design empowers communities to create the places they need. Good design helps create places which deliver net zero, opportunity for all, and make the best use of our resources.
We demonstrate what design-led, place-based collaboration means in practice and outline the benefits it brings.
We are a team of architects, urban designers, landscape architects and planners who bring a wealth of experience to projects across Scotland. We have nearly 20 years of experience working in this field, and we take a facilitative approach to place and design.
We contribute to sustainable economic growth (and the National Performance Framework) through our advice to Local Authorities, those responsible for public investment in the built environment, and other Public Bodies. For example:
- We promoted planning, design, and investment that deliver 20-minute neighbourhoods, community empowerment and wealth building, active travel, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the use of nature-based solutions.
- We promoted collaboration and shared visions that align planning, design, and delivery across departments, making the best use of available resources to achieve shared outcomes across the National Performance Framework.
- We provided expert advice on Scotland’s learning estate and our healthcare buildings.