Publication scheme
This page sets out how the public can access routinely published information by Science Council.
Science Council Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act (‘the Act’) requires us to inform members of the public how they can find information that is routinely made available. This publication scheme specifies the categories of information we routinely publish. If the information you want is not routinely available, you can make a request for it under the Act.
Who we are and what we do
The Science Council was established in response to a recommendation from the FSA Triennial Review of its Scientific Advisory Committees presented at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Board meeting in May 2016.
Useful links
- Science Council and Sub Groups Terms of Reference and Code of Practice.
- Science Council members biographies and Science Council member’s register of interests.
- Contact details for the Science Council secretariat.
What we spend and how we spend it
The Committee has no independent budget or expenditure. The FSA covers the costs for the operation of the Science Council (including secretariat support, member’s fees and expenses, and administrative costs for meetings and events). These are recorded formally in the accounts of the FSA.
What our priorities are and how we are doing
How we make decisions
Our policies and procedures
Complaints procedure
Most concerns or complaints are best and most quickly resolved by talking to the person or team directly concerned – in this case, the Science Council secretariats.If your concerns cannot be resolved informally with the person or team concerned, you can make a formal complaint, contacting the Food Standards Agency Complaints Coordinator (Opens in a new window).
Policies and procedures for recruitment of Science Council members
Science Council Members are not employed by the FSA and they do not receive a salary for their work on the Science Council. (They are however entitled to claim expenses and fees for attending meetings and, in some circumstances, for work between meetings. These are set out in the Code of Practice.
The process for recruitment to the Science Council is in accordance the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Appointments to the Science Council are not formally subject to all elements of this guidance, but we follow best practice. An Independent Assessor serves on the selection panel and scrutinises the entire process. Members are appointed by the Chair of the FSA.
Appointments are initially for a term of three years. Subject to the needs of the Science Council, members may be asked to serve a second term (or extend their existing term) but longer service than this is the exception rather than the rule. All appointments are subject to a 10-year maximum. Appointments to the Science Council are made in accordance with the principles set out in the Nolan Report on Standards in Public Life, also known as the 7 Principles of Public Life.
The Government has a policy of equality of opportunity for those wishing to serve in public appointments. That means that applications are welcome from all suitable individuals irrespective of, for example, race, gender or disability. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are particularly anxious to address under-representation on advisory committees of women, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.
The overriding principle is appointment on merit. Members are appointed for their individual qualifications and the expertise they can bring to the Science Council and not to represent any particular sectoral interests. The balance of the Science Council is intended to ensure that it has a wide range of expertise to draw on to enable it to advise the FSA Chief Scientific Adviser and the FSA Board effectively.
Vacancies and further information on procedures for appointments are published on this site when vacancies arise.
How to make a freedom of information (FOI) request.
Lists and registers
- Science Council members register of interests.
The services we offer
Administration costs
There is usually no charge for the information we publish unless the request is for a priced publication or dataset. We may, however, be required to charge if, for example, a large amount of photocopying is necessary or to cover the cost of postage for a large quantity of paperwork.