Date of Request
19/05/25
Request
The following request for information is made under the Freedom of Information Act:
1. In the last 12 months, how many vehicles have been sent to auction for sale?
Please provide the vehicle’s registration number, make, and model and the disposal sale value for each vehicle received by you, is the value remitted different to the final amount you receive?
Do you receive information from the auction regarding the individual value achieved for each vehicle sold? If so, at which auction were the vehicle(s) sold?
2. Does your fire service have a policy or documentation on the disposal of fire service vehicles and their resale, including to private fire operators, other fire services and charities?
3. Does your service have a policy on removing markings from vehicles sold at auction and removing blue lights and emergency warning systems? If so, please provide a copy of the policy or any related documentation.
4. Do you send vehicles to Merthyr Motor Auctions? If so, do you have an agreement or contract with Merthyr Motor Auctions? If so, please provide a copy of the contract or agreement.
5. Has your service granted permission to Merthyr Motor Auctions to dispose of fire appliances and vehicles, such as cars/fire engines that are blue-light equipped and marked with Battenburg, to be sold still liveried and with the blue lights? If so, could you please provide a copy of any emails or correspondence related to the disposal of vehicles and whether a risk assessment was carried out?
6. Are you charged a fee for the disposal of the vehicles sent to Merthyr Motor Auctions? If so, how much are you charged for each vehicle sold?
In respect of the above, Question 5: Is the risk of potential reputation damage or illegal use assessed in terms of the sale and disposal of vehicles?
7. Do you have a contractual period for using Merthyr Motor Auctions, and if so, when does the contract expire?
8. Could you please provide a copy of your current fleet list and disposal criteria?
I am seeking information about the last 12 months.
Many thanks
Response
Hi
We thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000
The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is held and is as per the below listed information and the attached spreadsheet:
- In the last 12 months, how many vehicles have been sent to auction for sale? 8
Please provide the vehicle’s registration number, make, and model and the disposal sale value for each vehicle received by you, is the value remitted different to the final amount you receive? X5 MAN Fire Appliances, VX08 OCH £2,500, VX08 OCJ £3,300, WX08 MVE £2,900, VX08 OCG £4,000, WX08 MVD £4,700. X1 Scania Appliance VX55 HDY £3,500. X1 Mercedes Sprinter VX14 XCG £11,376. X1 Ford Focus EX64 WXA £2,167.50. We receive the full sale value from Brightwells Auctions.
Do you receive information from the auction regarding the individual value achieved for each vehicle sold? If so, at which auction were the vehicle(s) sold? Yes, via Brightwells Auctions, Sales and Remarketing
2. Does your fire service have a policy or documentation on the disposal of fire service vehicles and their resale, including to private fire operators, other fire services and charities? National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Transport Officers Group (TOG) guidance are followed.
3. Does your service have a policy on removing markings from vehicles sold at auction and removing blue lights and emergency warning systems? If so, please provide a copy of the policy or any related documentation. National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Transport Officers Group (TOG) guidance are followed. All vehicles are decommissioned before leaving workshops to be sold.
4. Do you send vehicles to Merthyr Motor Auctions? If so, do you have an agreement or contract with Merthyr Motor Auctions? If so, please provide a copy of the contract or agreement. No.
5. Has your service granted permission to Merthyr Motor Auctions to dispose of fire appliances and vehicles, such as cars/fire engines that are blue-light equipped and marked with Battenburg, to be sold still liveried and with the blue lights? If so, could you please provide a copy of any emails or correspondence related to the disposal of vehicles and whether a risk assessment was carried out? N/A. We do not use Merthyr Motor Auctions.
6. Are you charged a fee for the disposal of the vehicles sent to Merthyr Motor Auctions? If so, how much are you charged for each vehicle sold?
N/A. We do not use Merthyr Motor Auctions.
In respect of the above, Question 5: Is the risk of potential reputation damage or illegal use assessed in terms of the sale and disposal of vehicles? N/A. We do not use Merthyr Motor Auctions.
7. Do you have a contractual period for using Merthyr Motor Auctions, and if so, when does the contract expire? N/A. We do not use Merthyr Motor Auctions.
8. Could you please provide a copy of your current fleet list and disposal criteria? Our fleet is listed on the attached spreadsheet. We are currently awaiting a decision on new vehicle purchases which will release vehicles to go to auction.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards
Information Governance Team