All action guides
starter
Start in This week
Transparency
Civic
Funding

FOI / evidence pack

One clear ward-level question, one deadline, one public log — the backbone of Community Shield Scotland.

What success looks like

Submitted FOIs, saved responses, and a short brief you can hand to councillors or funders.

Who it helps

Anyone fighting spin — community councils, journalists-in-spirit, and groups writing grant bids.

Open this guide from a ward’s Take action tab to load councillor and Area Partnership contacts for that place.

First 60 minutes — tick as you go
0/5 done · saved on this device

Progress stays in your browser only (no account). Clear site data wipes ticks.

Your first week — stretch goals

Step-by-step plan

Follow the phases in order. Finish one before expanding.

Phase 1
Day 1–2

Write a sharp ask

1.1One question, one geography, one period

Example: damp/mould complaints by ward, last 24 months, monthly counts, CSV preferred.

1.2Send and diary the due date

Usually 20 working days. Log it on the site’s FOI tracker mindset even if offline.

Phase 2
When it lands

Use the answer

2.1Turn tables into a one-page brief

What it shows, what is still missing, what you want the council to do.

2.2Share with power

Community council, ward councillors, Area Partnership — attach the raw response.

Kit & materials

FOI email template

What / when / geography / format

Tracker spreadsheet

Ref, body, sent, due, outcome

Ward data pack

Use this site’s Crime + FOI tabs as your baseline

Shared folder

PDFs of responses — not only screenshots

Council & institutional help

FOI / EIR to Glasgow City Council

Use the published FOI channel. Ask for ward or multi-member ward breakdowns. If refused, ask for advice and review rights.

Police Scotland / NHS / SFRS

Different bodies hold crime subtypes, health, and fire data. One ask per body keeps it clean.

Safety & non‑negotiables

  • Do not request personal data about individuals
  • Be careful publishing small-number sensitive stats
  • Keep the tone factual — FOI is a right, not a threat

Common mistakes

  • Asking twelve questions in one email
  • No geography (city-wide answers hide the ward)
  • Losing the response PDF
  • Publishing personal data

Funding that fits this action

FOI itself is free · Small grants only if you print community briefings · Tap a card to open the funder website.

Downloadable templates for this action

Open in any text editor or spreadsheet. Fill in the brackets — then send or print.