Freedom of Information
Scotland introduced a Freedom of Information Act in 2002 - with a presumption that ordinary people are entitled to information held by public bodies - including local councils.
On the subject of equal pay councils have often been slow to respond - and then fail to give straight answers to straight questions. But sometimes dogged determination and persistence pays off.
For example, we asked Glasgow how much it cost the City Council to instruct various legal firms to attend a series of 'acceptance' meetings in November and December 2005 - when employees were being encouraged to accept offers of settlement in connection with their equal pay claims.
The answer confirms that the total cost charged by all legal firms instructed by Glasgow City Council was £347,477.76.
Some people might be shocked at the council spending public money in this way - others might regard it as money well spent.
But on this occasion, at least, people are in now possession of the facts - and can make up their own minds on this use of public funds.
On the subject of equal pay councils have often been slow to respond - and then fail to give straight answers to straight questions. But sometimes dogged determination and persistence pays off.
For example, we asked Glasgow how much it cost the City Council to instruct various legal firms to attend a series of 'acceptance' meetings in November and December 2005 - when employees were being encouraged to accept offers of settlement in connection with their equal pay claims.
The answer confirms that the total cost charged by all legal firms instructed by Glasgow City Council was £347,477.76.
Some people might be shocked at the council spending public money in this way - others might regard it as money well spent.
But on this occasion, at least, people are in now possession of the facts - and can make up their own minds on this use of public funds.
