The information we can provide you with is regulated by three 'access to information' regimes.

   Freedom of Information Act 2000
   Data Protection Act 1998
   Environmental Information Regulations 2004

For information about each of these regimes, visit the Information Commissioners website. The Freedom of Information Act was passed on 30th November 2000 and is intended to promote a culture of openness, transparency and accountability amongst public authorities by providing people with rights of access to all types of 'recorded' information held by public authorities, subject to certain exemptions. It is expected that these rights will facilitate better public understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do and how they spend public money. The exemptions are designed to protect confidential or other information where disclosure may prejudice the interests of the State or of third parties.

All communications in writing (including by electronic means) to a public authority fall within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act if they seek information, and must be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) introduces a general right of access to all information not covered by the Data Protection Act 1998 held by a public Authority. There are over 70,000 Public Authorities, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Combined Fire Authority is one of them.

Under Data Protection laws personal data remains confidential. However with the few exceptions mentioned above information must be given to anyone who requests it. Anyone can request recorded information held by the service, which could include for example statistics, reports minutes of meetings or procedures we use.

In order that the Service can comply with its statutory obligations, enquiries should be submitted in writing (including email and fax) to the Information Services Section at Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters:

Requests should contain the name and address of the applicant and sufficient details of the information required to enable its location. You can also find out about much of our regular published information by accessing our Publication Scheme.

The Service will review the Scheme regularly and we would appreciate comments from users on the Scheme, good or bad, in order to improve access and content.

Charging for Information Requested
Information provided under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act is normally free of charge unless the cost of work involved in identifying and collating the information exceeds £450 (representing 18 Hours Work).

If the cost of compiling a response to a request is likely to exceed this limit you will be contacted to discuss options before proceeding.