The Freedom of Information Act came into force for all public authorities in January 2005.

The Act gives the public right of access to information held by these authorities, which include Central Government; Local Authorities; the NHS; schools; Police; and Fire Authorities.

As part of the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, South Wales Authority has produced an official Publication Scheme (hyperlink to document), which has been approved by the Information Commissioner.

The Publication Scheme sets out:

• The classes of information which the Authority publishes, or intends to publish
• The manner in which the information will be published; and
• Whether the information is available free of charge or on payment

A person can contact the Authority in any way (telephone, email, fax or in writing) and ask to see their Publication Scheme. They can then make a request for any of the information included within the scheme.

Requests for information must be made in writing (which includes emails). The request must state the name and address of the person applying for the information and the required information. Public authorities generally have 20 working days in which to respond to a request.

If the information is not included in the Publication Scheme, you can make a separate request. However, some of the records requested might contain exempt information, which does not have to be provided when responding to a request.

There are 23 exemptions including certain information relating to national security, information that would prejudice international relations, commercially sensitive information and confidential information.

Please note environmental information can be accessed through the Environmental Information Regulations. Information about yourself can be obtained under the Data Protection Act 1998 for a small fee. Personal data about other people cannot be released if doing so would breach the same Act.

Public authorities are allowed to charge a fee for responding to requests. If there is a fee involved in request, the authority must inform the applicant in writing. The 20 days for responding to requests is put on hold until the fee is paid.

The applicant can either ask for a copy of the information they seek, the chance to inspect the records, or even to be provided with a summary of the information. If any of the information requested is exempt the applicant will be told which of the exemptions has been relied on to withhold the information.

Complaints

If you want to make any comments about the Publication Scheme, you need further assistance or wish to make a complaint, in the first instance these should be addressed to:

Mr A Marles
Deputy Chief Fire Officer
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
Lanelay Hall
Pontyclun CF72 9XA
Tel: 01443 232007

If you are still not satisfied with your response, you may formally complain to the Information Commissioner who will decide whether the request has been handled properly:

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545745

For further information visit the Information Commissioner’s Office at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Disclaimer:

• South Wales Fire Authority may require re further information from you to identify and locate the information requested.
• There may be a cost for providing the information you have requested. Any charges will be calculated in accordance with the fees regulations prescribed by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
• If South Wales Fire Authority does not hold all the information you have requested, we may need to transfer your request to another public body. We will inform you of this as soon as possible.

Preferred contact:

Email

Telephone (day or evening)

Mobile

Information preference:

Please specify your preferred form of access to the information by selecting one of the following options:

• Receive a copy by post
• Receive a copy by email (This is restricted to documents which are held in electronic format)
• View/inspect original information
• Receive a digest or summary of the information by post
• Receive a digest or summary of the information by email
• Other/Special needs - please specify