These web pages provide a quick way to find out about the Publication Scheme for RBFRS. Use the various links to navigate to the relevant sections for further information.
Guidance To Applicants: Publication Scheme
You may find what you need listed under the Quick Links section, otherwise read on.
We want to be polite and helpful in all contact with the users and potential users of our services. If you have any difficulties accessing information then please let us know and we will do our utmost to assist you. The Senior Officer responsible for maintenance of this Publication Scheme is the Area Manager Support Services.
How To Contact Us:
Any correspondence regarding this Publication Scheme should be sent to:
The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s telephone number for General Enquiries is 0118 945 2888. Callers should request the Document Management Team or the Area Manager Support Services.
Alternatively you may wish to email your request using the links found below or in the Quick Links section of this page.
• Email Request
• Information Request Form
We want to be polite and helpful in all contact with the users and potential users of our services. If you have any difficulties accessing information then please let us know and we will do our utmost to assist you. The Senior Officer responsible for maintenance of this Publication Scheme is the Area Manager Support Services.
How To Contact Us:
Any correspondence regarding this Publication Scheme should be sent to:
Freedom of Information
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
103 Dee Road
Tilehurst
Reading
RG30 4FS
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
103 Dee Road
Tilehurst
Reading
RG30 4FS
The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s telephone number for General Enquiries is 0118 945 2888. Callers should request the Document Management Team or the Area Manager Support Services.
Alternatively you may wish to email your request using the links found below or in the Quick Links section of this page.
• Email Request
• Information Request Form
Published Information:
People have the “right to know” what information is held by public authorities. Unless a statutory exemption applies, information held by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority will be available to the public.
Information can be obtained through two routes: Published Information and Unpublished Information. In order to help people access information, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority will attempt to publish routinely as much information as possible.
This Publication Scheme is intended to help people understand about the information made publicly accessible by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority. It sets out:
People have the “right to know” what information is held by public authorities. Unless a statutory exemption applies, information held by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority will be available to the public.
Information can be obtained through two routes: Published Information and Unpublished Information. In order to help people access information, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority will attempt to publish routinely as much information as possible.
This Publication Scheme is intended to help people understand about the information made publicly accessible by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority. It sets out:
- the classes (or types) of information published or intended to publish;
- the way information is published; and
- whether information is available free of charge or on payment.
Unpublished Information:
As well as being able to access published information, some information is available but is not routinely published. The reasons for not routinely publishing such information will often be:
Just because the information does not appear in the Publication Scheme doesn’t mean that it can’t be requested. Where this is the case, to help administer information requests, people are advised to identify clearly the information being requested.
It should be noted that some information is neither published nor made available on request. The reason for this will be that the information is legally exempt from publication as it may have law enforcement or other implications. The Authority will usually state that it holds the information but is not publishing it. A reason for not publishing will then be provided. In a few circumstances the Authority may decide to neither confirm nor deny that it holds the information requested.
Requests for information about personal data will be addressed with reference to the Data Protection Act 1998. The Authority will treat such requests as “data subject” requests or “third party” data requests. There is a fee of £10 for information requests administered in this way.
As well as being able to access published information, some information is available but is not routinely published. The reasons for not routinely publishing such information will often be:
- The information requires redaction (that means some parts may need to be blacked out);
- The information is unstructured and is not published within Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Just because the information does not appear in the Publication Scheme doesn’t mean that it can’t be requested. Where this is the case, to help administer information requests, people are advised to identify clearly the information being requested.
It should be noted that some information is neither published nor made available on request. The reason for this will be that the information is legally exempt from publication as it may have law enforcement or other implications. The Authority will usually state that it holds the information but is not publishing it. A reason for not publishing will then be provided. In a few circumstances the Authority may decide to neither confirm nor deny that it holds the information requested.
Requests for information about personal data will be addressed with reference to the Data Protection Act 1998. The Authority will treat such requests as “data subject” requests or “third party” data requests. There is a fee of £10 for information requests administered in this way.
The Authority’s Document Management Team will attempt to provide unpublished information to applicants in the
format it was requested. Applicants will be clearly informed if that format has an impact on any levy being considered.
The team are always willing to assist and will generally be available to speak with during office hours or are contactable through the Email Request quick link.
The Authority recognises some people have difficulty accessing information. The Authority employs staff who proactively make and maintain contact with diverse groups across the County. These staff members are also aware of Freedom of Information. The Authority recognises that there will still be people in the County effectively excluded from being aware of how their local services are provided. The Authority participates in periodic public opinion surveys and public consultation exercises in order to discharge its functions. The Authority also takes advantages of opportunities in the media to present its approachability.
Published information can be made available in other languages or on audio-cd upon request, this may involve a charge being levied depending on the circumstances of the information request. Otherwise, information will be provided in the language in which it is held. Where an authority is required under other statute to translate certain information it will do so. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will work to the aim of achieving fairness in providing the people who use or may use its services with access to the information they require.
The Authority will help you as much as possible but is not required to look for the information you request unless it receives:
The team are always willing to assist and will generally be available to speak with during office hours or are contactable through the Email Request quick link.
The Authority recognises some people have difficulty accessing information. The Authority employs staff who proactively make and maintain contact with diverse groups across the County. These staff members are also aware of Freedom of Information. The Authority recognises that there will still be people in the County effectively excluded from being aware of how their local services are provided. The Authority participates in periodic public opinion surveys and public consultation exercises in order to discharge its functions. The Authority also takes advantages of opportunities in the media to present its approachability.
Published information can be made available in other languages or on audio-cd upon request, this may involve a charge being levied depending on the circumstances of the information request. Otherwise, information will be provided in the language in which it is held. Where an authority is required under other statute to translate certain information it will do so. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will work to the aim of achieving fairness in providing the people who use or may use its services with access to the information they require.
The Authority will help you as much as possible but is not required to look for the information you request unless it receives:
- A clear and understandable request with enough detail to locate the information.
- A name and an address for correspondence.
The majority of information is made available without levy. This Publication Scheme identifies where charges may be
levied. Any charges made by the authority for routinely published material will be justified and transparent.
In such circumstances a “fees notice” will be sent to the applicant. The applicant has three months to pay the levy. In such circumstances the information will be supplied once the levy has been paid.
Where the estimated cost of providing the information is above £450 the Authority is not under a duty to provide the information. The Authority will attempt to assist you in being able to gather as much information as possible within that limit. The Authority does have, however, a system in place to protect against going over the £450 limit. That is, the Authority will be able to identify where requests for information are being made piecemeal in order to avoid the £450 limit.
In such circumstances a “fees notice” will be sent to the applicant. The applicant has three months to pay the levy. In such circumstances the information will be supplied once the levy has been paid.
Where the estimated cost of providing the information is above £450 the Authority is not under a duty to provide the information. The Authority will attempt to assist you in being able to gather as much information as possible within that limit. The Authority does have, however, a system in place to protect against going over the £450 limit. That is, the Authority will be able to identify where requests for information are being made piecemeal in order to avoid the £450 limit.
The information you are looking for may also be available from the following organisations or on their websites.
[ See the websites listed under the Quick Links (Web Links) section of this page ]
These websites and organisations provide excellent sources of information and if the documents are downloaded or printed off by the enquirer they provide a quick response at little cost. However, the Authority takes no responsibility nor warrants the accuracy of information contained therein.
[ See the websites listed under the Quick Links (Web Links) section of this page ]
These websites and organisations provide excellent sources of information and if the documents are downloaded or printed off by the enquirer they provide a quick response at little cost. However, the Authority takes no responsibility nor warrants the accuracy of information contained therein.
If you want to make any comments about this Publication Scheme or if you require further assistance regarding Freedom of
Information please email: foi@rbfrs.co.uk
If you need to make a complaint or have any general enquiry, please email: reception@rbfrs.co.uk
If you are not satisfied with the assistance that you get from the Authority or a complaint is not resolved, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone 01625 545 745
If you need to make a complaint or have any general enquiry, please email: reception@rbfrs.co.uk
If you are not satisfied with the assistance that you get from the Authority or a complaint is not resolved, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone 01625 545 745
Quick Links
Use these links to find out more.
- Fire Authority : RBFA
- Publication Scheme: Guidance to Applicants
- The Right To Know
- Requesting Unpublished Information
- Helping People Access Information
- Charges
- Useful Addresses
- Further Information
- Publication Scheme : Home
- 1. Who We Are and What We Do
- 2. What We Spend and How We Spend It
- 3. What Our Priorities Are and How We Are Doing
- 4. How We Make Decisions
- 5. Our Policies and Procedures
- 6. Lists and Registers
- 7. The Services We Offer
- Information Request Form
- Email Request
- Disclosure Log
- CFOA (Chief Fire Officer’s Association
- Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
- Directgov
- LGA (Local Government Association)
- StayWise
- Fire Gateway
- FireNet International
The documents within this Disclosure Log are accessed via a document retrieval system, which may ask for a
user identification. Please use this identification to access them.
Username: public
Password: access
Username: public
Password: access
Web Links
