Information

The following request for information is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

It is understood that commercial providers of goods and equipment to fire and rescue services are offering hospitality to officers, elected members and fire service staff during the period of the Emergency Services Show (ESS) at the NEC, 7-8 September 2021.

 

Please provide the following information regarding invitations to hospitality events whilst attending the ESS. Such hospitality is understood to include: lunches/dinners, hotels, transport costs, golf sessions etc

 

1) what invitations have been received by commercial companies for Officers or Members of your Fire and Rescue Service to attended hospitality events funded by the company during the period of the above Emergency Services Show?

 

2) what invitations referred to in 1 above have been accepted by officers or Members of your Fire and Rescue Service?

 

3) please provide the name of the commercial company and the hospitality event to which each invitation relates to?

 

4) what is the estimated individual value of each hospitality event to which officers or Members have been invited to participate in?

 

5) please provide a copy of your Fire and Rescue Authority receipt of hospitality policy.

Answer

, I can confirm that the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner holds some of the information you requested:

 

1) What invitations have been received by commercial companies for Officers or Members of your Fire and Rescue Service to attend hospitality events funded by the company during the period of the above Emergency Services Show? 

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) do not record invitations, only acceptance of gifts and hospitality that are valued over £25.

 

2) What invitations referred to in Q1 above have been accepted by officers or Members of your Fire and Rescue Service?

We are exempting this information under Section 22 of the Act [Information intended for future publication] as any accepted gifts and hospitality by NFRS personnel that are valued over £25 will be published on the Service’s gifts and hospitality register which is accessible from the NFRS website.

 

3) Please provide the name of the commercial company and the hospitality event to which each invitation relates to?

N/A, please refer to answers provided for Q1 and Q2.

 

4) What is the estimated individual value of each hospitality event to which officers or Members have been invited to participate in?

N/A, please refer to answers provided for Q1 and Q2.

 

5) Please provide a copy of your Fire and Rescue Authority receipt of hospitality policy

NFRS does not have a separate policy on gifts and hospitality; it is referenced within our Code of Conduct policy, a screenshot of the relevant section is attached.

 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to: Nicci Marzec, Monitoring Officer, Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Darby House, Darby Close, Park Farm Industrial Estate, Wellingborough. NN8 6GS. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.