Windsor Fire Station Closes Tonight - But Tinkers' Lane Plans Remain on Paper
Windsor's fully equiped St Mark's Road Fire Station will cease to be the base for Windsor's Fire Engine today, sources within the Fire Brigade have told Windsor Liberal Democrats.
From tomorrow, Tuesday 1st October, the former Windsor fire crew will report to muster at Slough fire station where the appliance crew will change shifts. The appliance will then forward deploy to St Mark's Road using the operating pattern proposed for the planned forward operating base at Tinkers' Lane.
However there is still no sign of a final agreement between Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue and The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead on the basing of the former Windsor fire engine at the proposed forward operating base at Tinkers Lane.
Both Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue and The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead refused to answer Freedom of Information Act Requests, asking what the outstanding issues are that need to be resolved between them.
Windsor Liberal Democrats asked:
"To know the outstanding issues to be resolved between the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority / Fire and Rescue Service before an agreement is signed regarding the proposed Tinker's Lane Fire Station in Windsor."
Both used Section 36 / 42 refusals to stop the public knowing what is going on:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service - Request for Information No 2013-0252 -FOI Refusal-
I can confirm that Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service does hold information in this regard, however, this information is still in the draft stage and release of this information, at this time, will prejudice the effective conduct of Public Affairs and contravene Legal Professional Privilege.
"This email therefore serves as a Refusal Notice in accordance with Section 36 (2)(b) and (c) and Section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
In considering the exemptions applied, Section 36 (2)(b) and (c) and Section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, it has been determined that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information."
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead - FOI65333 -FOI Refusal-
"This is a refusal notice issued under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The exemptions being applied are:
S.36 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs: It is our view that the public interest is not served by information subject to this exemption being disclosed.
S.42 Legal Professional Privilege: It is our belief that the public interest is not served by information subject to this exemption being disclosed"
Windsor Liberal Democrats believe the public have a right to know what is happening to their fire service.
Further Reading: