Publication of Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 Annual Report for 2020

The Keeper’s Annual Report for 2020, published under the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011, has been laid in the Scottish Parliament.  It reflects the seventh year of activity since the Act was implemented in January 2013.

The 2020 report is available to download. The main aim of the Act is to improve the quality of record keeping in approximately 250 named Scottish public authorities. It requires authorities to submit records management plans to the Keeper for agreement.

We are pleased to report that participation in the voluntary Progress Update Review mechanism continued to increase this year. Just over one third of all authorities scheduled under the act submitted an update for review. 

In total, we have now agreed 237 Records Management Plans and sent 265 invitations to authorities since the Act came into force in January 2013.

Following collaboration with public sector stakeholders and professional records and information colleagues, and a formal public consultation, we launched a revised Keeper’s Model Records Management Plan at the Public Records Scotland Act conference in Glasgow.

The Act continues to support improvements in record keeping within the Scottish public sector. Our engagement with authorities helps to further promote the benefits of good records management and remains central to the Act’s success. Plans agreed show that good practice is being adopted and the Act continues to promote a new culture around record keeping