FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – APPLICATION REFERENCE 2017/02

Thank you for your application under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("the Act") in relation to financial BACs software within Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.

The request is:

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information from Finance (Accounts Receivable/Payable)and IT (Information Technology):

  • Who provides the organisations BACS payments and Direct Debit collection software?
  • Please provide a list of your suppliers of the above software.
  • How you came to the decision to choose these companies?
  • Are these solution(s) hosted on premise or cloud hosted?
  • Please provide expenditure on computer software used for Bacs payment processing and Direct Debit collection. For financial years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.
  • When does your current contract(s) with BACs payment and direct debit collection software expire?
  • Will this service(s) be tendered and if so where?
  • What is the total value of your current BACS payment and Direct Debit collection software contract(s) and over what period?
  • With whom does the organisation hold its primary bank account?
  • Does the organisation, acting as a Bureau,provide Bacs processing on behalf on any other organisation?
  • What payments types does the organisation use? (e.g Bacs (Direct Credit), Direct Debit, Faster Payments, etc.).
  • Who is the person responsible for BACS processing and Direct Debit collection software?
  • Name
  • Position
  • Telephone Number
  • Email

Please provide the information below each question, signifying your response(s) by a change of font or highlighted text, spaced between other questions.

If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in Section 12, please provide advice and assistance, under your Section 16 obligations, as to how I can refine my request to be included in the scope of the Act.

The response is:

  • Who provides the organisations BACS payments and Direct Debit collection software? Natwest Provide BACS (we don’t use direct debits)
  • Please provide a list of your suppliers of the above software. N/A
  • How you came to the decision to choose these companies? Natwest is our bank.
  • Are these solution(s) hosted on premise or cloud hosted? Premises
  • Please provide expenditure on computer software used for Bacs payment processing and Direct Debit collection. For financial years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. 2014/15 £430 2015/16 £430
  • When does your current contract(s) with BACs payment and direct debit collection software expire? Renewed contract with bank in 2015 for 7 years
  • Will this service(s) be tendered and if so where? At the appropriate time via Hull City Council (who completed the tender exercise)
  • What is the total value of your current BACS payment and Direct Debit collection software contract(s) and over what period? £430 per annum for 7 years
  • With whom does the organisation hold its primary bank account? Natwest
  • Does the organisation, acting as a Bureau,provide Bacs processing on behalf on any other organisation? No
  • What payments types does the organisation use? (e.g Bacs (Direct Credit), Direct Debit, Faster Payments, etc.). BACS/CHAPS
  • Who is the person responsible for BACS processing and Direct Debit collection software?
  • Name Martyn Ransom
  • Position Finance Manager
  • Telephone Number 01482 567176

These contact details should not be added to email or similar distribution lists.

Should you want to use this information for commercial purposes, you will need to contact me again to request appropriate permission.

If you are unhappy with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. A request for an internal review should be made within 2 months of the date of this email. If you are not happy with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply direct to the Information Commissioner. The address is: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.