Gifts and hospitality register

Request details of gifts and hospitality declared by staff and elected members.

Public bodies require staff and elected members to declare gifts and hospitality received from external parties. Some authorities publish their register online, so check the authority’s website first. If it is not published, or if the published version lacks detail, this request will get you the full picture.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The gifts and hospitality register for all staff and elected members, showing the date, the name and role of the recipient, a description of the gift or hospitality, the estimated value, and the name of the provider. 2. The total number of entries recorded during the period. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Any Scottish public authority: council, health board, or government agency. Find the right authority on the Commissioner’s directory of Scottish public authorities. You can also send your request through WhatDoTheyKnow, which publishes responses online.

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Tips#

  • Some councils publish their gifts and hospitality registers online. Check the authority’s website before submitting your request.
  • Councillors’ registers of interest are published separately and include details of gifts above a certain value. Check these registers for additional context.
  • A low number of entries may mean the register is genuinely quiet, or it may mean that declarations are not being made. Compare against similar-sized authorities for context.