Publication scheme

1. Introduction

Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 requires every public authority to adopt and maintain a publication scheme which has been approved by the Information Commissioner and to publish information in accordance with the scheme. The scheme should specify:

• The classes of information which the public authority publishes or intends to publish
• The manner in which the information is to be published
• Whether there is any charge for the information

The British Transport Police Authority’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Publication Scheme has been prepared using the Information Commissioner’s Office approved Model Publication Scheme 2009.

This scheme commits the Authority to make information available to the public as part of its business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned below, where this information is held by the Authority.  The Authority has also made reference to the additional assistance provided to the definition of these classes in the sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.

This scheme commits the Authority:

• To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by the Authority and falls within the classifications set out below
• To specify the information which is held by the Authority and falls within the classifications set out below
• To proactively publish or otherwise make available as a matter of routine information in line with the statements contained within this Scheme
• To review and update on a regular basis the information the Authority makes available under this Scheme
• To produce a schedule of fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available
• To make this publication Scheme available to the public

You may find it helpful to read our Publication Scheme in conjunction with our Freedom of Information policy and leaflet which set out in more detail how we must respond to specific requests for other information made under FOI and processes for making a complaint about how we deal with you request.

We will renew our publication scheme annually.

2. Regulatory framework

A review of police discipline arrangements took place in 2004/5 led by Bill Taylor.  This resulted in a new regulatory framework being brought in from 1 December 2008. The aim of the Taylor Review was to move away from the lengthy, costly and punitive arrangements that were focused on blame, to a new system reflecting good employment practice and promoting a culture of learning and improvement.

BTP was not covered by the new Home Office regulations and as such BTPA made the following Regulations which mirror the Home Office regulations as closely as possible, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 36(1), 36(2), 37(1) and 37(1A) of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.  In accordance with section 40(2) of the Act, drafts of the following regulations have been approved by the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State.   In accordance with section 46 of the 2003 Act, the BTPA invited the British Transport Police Federation to nominate individuals to meet with an equal number of individuals nominated by the BTPA to discuss these regulations, and had regard to the recommendations made by the group.

• Appeals Tribunal Regulations
• Complaints & Misconduct Regulations
• Complaints and Misconduct (Scotland) Regulations
• Conduct Regulations
• Performance Regulations

3. Classes of information we hold

The following is a list of the classes of information we hold and how we intend to make this available, wherever possible we will make all information available via our website.

Who we are and what we do

• Structure of the Authority
• Staff structure of Authority Executive
• Contact information
• Geographic area of operation
• General outline of responsibilities
• Appointment of independent custody visitors
• Relationships with other bodies

The Authority is not currently party to any formal collaboration agreements although it does enter into contractual police service agreements (PSA) with passenger, freight and infrastructure operators on the overground and underground rail network and operators of some tram systems in Great Britain. These PSAs are usually a condition of a service provider’s licence to operate.

The Authority’s other key working relationships are with those organisations that are, or provide an interface with, our statutory consultees as set out in section 62 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003. Our working relationships with the following may include informal partnership working arrangements from time to time;

Groups of persons representing passengers on the railways – Transport Focus

• Persons providing railway services – individual passenger and freight operators and Network Rail, Transport for London
• Organisations representing persons providing railway services – Rail Delivery Group, Association of Train Operating Companies, Rail Freight Group
• Organisations representing employees of persons providing railway services – TSSA, ASLEF, RMT

What we spend and how we spend it

• Summary of revenue budget estimates of the Authority
• Annual statement of Authority’s accounts
• Budget set for the Police Force
• Information on other sources of income, including grants
• Details of expenditure
• Contracts
• Expenses and allowances paid to or incurred by the Authority Members and senior staff
• Pay and grading structure
• Annual audit letter (contained within annual finance report)
• Financial audit reports (contained within annual finance report)
• Internal financial regulations and delegated authority

What our priorities are how we are doing

• Annual reports
• Strategic plan or local policing objectives set for the Police Force
• Reports presented to the Police Authority indicating service provision, performance assessments, operational assessments
• Inspection and Performance Reports – Triennial Review 2014 Part 1 and Triennial Review 2014 Part 2
• Statistical information provided to the Authority

How we make decisions

• Schedule of meetings open to the public
• Agendas and approved minutes of Authority and Committee meetings
• Background papers for meetings open to the public
• Records of important decisions
• Facts and analyses used for decision making
• Public consultations

Our policies and procedures

• Policies and procedures for the conduct of the Authority’s business – standing orders, corporate governance etc
• Policies and procedures for the provision of services – including requests for information
• Policies and procedures about the employment of staff – including details of current vacancies
• Customer service – including complaints policies
• Records management – including security, records retention and data protection policies
• Charging regimes and policies – please see section five below

Lists and registers

• Register of Member’s interests
• Register of gifts and hospitality provided to Members and senior personnel
• FOIA disclosure log

The services we offer

• Information about the provision of the Authority’s services
• Leaflets and explanatory booklets
• Media releases
• Services for which the Authority is entitled to recover a fee together with those fees

Any other information held by the Authority, but which is not published under this Scheme, may be requested and will we consider providing it to you in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Please see our FOI policy or contact us for more details of how to make a request.

4. How we will publish our information

As stated above, wherever possible we will make our information available on our website. Where access to the internet is not possible or where information is not available in an electronic format we will make this information available in hard copy.

In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this is necessary contact details will be provided and an appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timeframe.

If you require the information in a different language or in an alternative format we will make this available for you, however there may be a slight delay while we have the information you have requested translated. Wherever possible we will advise you of the likely length of any delay at the time of responding to your initial request.

5. Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme

The Police Authority does not offer services to the public for which it regularly recovers a fee, although it may charge for additional printed copies of information, as detailed below. The purpose of our scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public/other organisations. Charges made by the Authority for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.

Method of publication	Charges made by BTPA
Via our website or by email	Free *
In hard copy including postage (first copy of website page/information/document requested)	Free
In hard copy (additional copies)	5 pence black and white or 15 pence colour per sheet photocopied plus actual postage costs. We will advise you of the charges we will make, and request payment, before we provide the information to you.

* We will not meet the costs of charges made by the requestor’s internet service provider and/or telephone company or the costs of personal printing.

6. Making a request

Please submit your requests in writing or via email to:

The British Transport Police Authority

British Transport Police FHQ
25 Camden Road
London
NW1 9LN

Email: [email protected]

If you require assistance with making a request in writing please contact us on 07900394397.

Please also contact us at the above address for any further information or guidance about how BTPA deals with requests for the information it holds.