Dear Robert

 

Your request has been assigned reference number 2023B124; please can you
quote this in any contact with us about this matter.

 

The request will be dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act (FoIA) 2000 and you will receive a response within the
statutory timescale of 20 working days from date of receipt, which means
by 20/11/2023. We aim to respond earlier if possible and will keep you
updated regarding any change.

 

All requests dealt with under the FoIA are subject to the information not
being exempt or containing a reference to a third party. Guidance about
how we deal with requests for information is on our website at
[1]https://avonfire.gov.uk/guide-to-publish...,
and we retain request correspondence for the current financial year plus 3
years.

 

Thank you for your interest in Avon Fire & Rescue Service.

 

Kind regards

 

Joanna Warren

 

Data Protection Co ordinator  (Mon Thurs)

 

Corporate Services

 

Avon Fire & Rescue Service

 

Telephone: 0117 926 2061 Ext:302  [mobile number]

 

Please note I work Mon Thurs

 

[2]www.avonfire.gov.uk

 

 

 

From: Robert Moss <[FOI #1040317 email]>
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2023 8:56 PM
To: Freedom of Information Act & Data Protection Requests
<[Avon Fire and Rescue request email]>
Subject: 2023B124 - IDRP policies/guidance related to pension complaints

 

Dear Avon Fire and Rescue,

Can you provide your IDRP policies/guidance related to pension complaints,
please? It would be particularly helpful if this includes timescales for
making a complaint, your response/decision window and the period in which
a complainant has between receiving a Stage 1 decision and lodging a Stage
2 complaint (basically, an appeal).

This request isn't intended to be exhaustive and anything you consider in
scope of this FOI request should be provided by you. It would also be
useful if your provide sample copies of Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaint
forms.

Finally, if you can direct me to where this IDRP information is available
on your website, that would be helpful. Alternatively, if this information
isn't available on your website, any information/decisions you hold in
regard to why this is not readily available would also be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Moss

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[3][FOI #1040317 email]

Is [4][Avon Fire and Rescue request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Avon Fire and Rescue? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[5]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[6]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:
[7]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...
[8]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

show quoted sections

Dear Robert

 

I write in response to your request for information dated 23.10.2023
regarding IDRP policies/guidance relating to pension complaints.

 

Your request for information has been dealt with under the terms of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FoIA) and I can confirm Avon Fire &
Rescue Service holds some of the information falling within the
description specified within your request.

 

Please find attached a copy of the Avon Fire & Rescue Service Internal
Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) as requested.  This only applies to
the firefighters pension schemes. The Stage One and Stage Two processes
are covered in the attached procedure document, along with a sample
letter.

 

There is a separate document for the Local Government Pension Scheme
(LGPS), for Avon Pension fund which is administered by Bath & North East
Somerset Council.  Please find the link to their website page
[1]https://www.avonpensionfund.org.uk/help-... which
explains their Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP).  Please
direct any queries regarding the LGPS to the pension administer, there is
a ‘contact us’ page on their website.

 

I hope you find the above information useful.

 

Guidance about how we deal with requests for information is freely
available on our website at
[2]http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/guide-to-publ.... AF&RS will
retain your information request correspondence for the current financial
year plus 3 years.

 

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request an internal review by writing to the Data
Protection Officer at:

 

Data Protection Officer

Avon Fire & Rescue Service

Police & Fire HQ

PO Box 37

Valley Road

Portishead

Bristol

BS20 8JJ

 

telephone 0117 9262061

email [3][email address]

 

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint
after internal review, you have the right of appeal to the Information
Commissioner at:

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

telephone 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745

website [4]www.ico.org.uk

 

There is no charge for making an appeal.

 

Kind regards

 

Joanna Warren

 

Data Protection Co ordinator  (Mon Thurs)

 

Corporate Services

 

Avon Fire & Rescue Service

 

Telephone: 0117 926 2061 Ext:302  [mobile number]

 

Please note I work Mon Thurs

 

[5]www.avonfire.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: Robert Moss <[FOI #1040317 email]>
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2023 8:56 PM
To: Freedom of Information Act & Data Protection Requests
<[Avon Fire and Rescue request email]>
Subject: 2023B124 - IDRP policies/guidance related to pension complaints

 

Dear Avon Fire and Rescue,

Can you provide your IDRP policies/guidance related to pension complaints,
please? It would be particularly helpful if this includes timescales for
making a complaint, your response/decision window and the period in which
a complainant has between receiving a Stage 1 decision and lodging a Stage
2 complaint (basically, an appeal).

This request isn't intended to be exhaustive and anything you consider in
scope of this FOI request should be provided by you. It would also be
useful if your provide sample copies of Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaint
forms.

Finally, if you can direct me to where this IDRP information is available
on your website, that would be helpful. Alternatively, if this information
isn't available on your website, any information/decisions you hold in
regard to why this is not readily available would also be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Moss

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[6][FOI #1040317 email]

Is [7][Avon Fire and Rescue request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Avon Fire and Rescue? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[8]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[9]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:
[10]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...
[11]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

show quoted sections