The document discusses the Welsh Government's efforts in publishing and providing access to information, with over 770 publications annually. It outlines the availability of resources through various websites, social media, and a publications catalogue, while also addressing the management of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. There is an emphasis on archiving materials for future research and the potential need for a national Welsh archive.

1. Open access to Welsh
Government publications
and information
Stephen Gregory
Business & Legal Team Leader
Welsh Government Library & Archive Services
Stephen.Gregory2@wales.gsi.gov.uk
24th July 2014
CLIC – Cardiff Libraries in Co-operation
Open all hours - research, repositories, publishing &
borrowing

2. WG as a Publisher
• Publish >770 p.a. (books, reports,
guidance) (In 2013: Penguin published ca 1500 items; OUP
4200 items)
• Cymru.gov.uk = 90,000 pages with sub-
sites e.g. http://business.wales.gov.uk/ ;
www.planninginspectorate.wales.gov.uk
• Numerous others - possibly 300? e.g.
www.sell2wales.gov.uk,
www.visitwales.com, www.wales.com.
• Social media channels

3. 0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2nd Assembly 2003-2006.
3rd Assembly 2007-2011.
4th Assembly 2012-
Number of items added to the Pubs
Archive
Average 770 p.a.

4. Proactive Open Access
• Publications:
– Web site
– Social media & News channels
– Stakeholder mailing lists – web site sign up
– Some hard copy
– But also the Publications Catalogue ….

5. ?*#!

6. http://wales.gov.uk/about/foi/publications-catalogue/

8. Pubs Catalogue
• Manually trap and catalogue WG
publications
• Publications request option  FPCC ca.
2000 p.a.
• Including increasing number of full text file
attachments, details of original web links,
and supporting text.
• Our Digital Archive / Repository

11. Reactive Publishing - FoI

12. Origins of FoI Requests

13. FoI Outcomes

14. No information provided
Other exemptions/ exceptions: FOIA, EIRs 2004 or DPA

15. FoI Complaints & Review
• Internal review – 2013: 51 requests
internally reviewed
– 70% of original decisions are up-held
– 20% complaints successful (full or partly)
– 6% ICO advise no need for internal review
• Referral to ICO (2013: 13 complaints)
• First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights)
(2013: 3 cases)

16. Records Transfer
• Working towards 20 year rule.
• TNA currently our usual place of deposit
• Commencing project on transfer of
electronic files
• Security preservation and access for the
future …
• but should there be a National Welsh
Archive

17. • In summary
Welsh Government:
• Proactive publisher of information – open
government
• Reactive publisher of information
• Publications Catalogue  repository
• Archiving materials for future research and
study
Stephen.Gregory2@wales.gsi.gov.uk
@StepGreg