FAC turnaround time West Yorks?

[nickb834]

Initial application yes

You'll be waiting an absolute minimum of 12 weeks, West Yorks are notoriously slow.

Case in point - my latest dealings with them have paperwork sat with an FEO who then went on leave for a week - of course no one else could have picked it up - oh no that's not possible.

They even replied in writing to tell me that they "wait until there's a number of requests in the same area to make more efficient use of their time" completely missing the irony of efficiency and waiting and doing nothing.

They're also playing the "it's a really busy year" card.

Of course round here the PCC being labour was voted in with a massive majority - and with a paltry 3.5k FAC holders in West Yorks they just don't give a rat's ar5e.

I'm going down the complaints route as the service is just appalling.

Nick

[Iain]

Try not to get too downhearted with a 12 week (minimum) turnround.

One of our Club members living in Lincolnshire is still waiting after eight (yes, 8) months or 32 weeks and 3 days to be precise.

Iain

[nickb834]

Ouch - you'd have to say - when the HO guidance to the Police states 12 weeks as acceptable, why is your club member tolerating such shoddy service - one which he's paid for?!?

[Iain]

It's G4S, they who organised and controlled the 2012 Olympics clusterf***, that were generously awarded vast sums of money from the public purse to look after Firearms Licensing in the County of Lincolnshire. The Police barely get a look in.

Once this shining example of efficiency and good practice realised they couldn't provide the service expected of them within the budget they commanded, they suddenly reduced the number of people doing the work and at one point actually sidelined any new applications.

It would appear that HO guidance can be conveniently ignored when you don't have to answer to anyone but the shareholders.

Also, and I've mentioned this before, I understand the CEO of G4S may be related in some way to our Home Secretary, that well known supporter of shooter's rights (sic).

Iain

[Polchraine]

A shooting friend in Thames Valley, has now been waiting seven months for the renewal of an SGC. When he finally calls and asks for a temporary permit, they agree and have failed to even deliver that on time.

Fortunately he orders his personalised cartridges, 20,000 at a time so no worries with obtaining those after the police, incorrectly, told him don't worry if he does not get his SGC or temp permit through in time!

[nickb834]

I went through several drafts of an e-mail to the FLO for West Yorks, after finally arriving at a version that wouldn't back fire but did include the phrase:

If we can't make progress on this application next week then I will have to take the matter up with Professional Standards, I can't accept that it takes 23 weeks and counting for what must be a fairly simple application (already hold FAC for eg).

Lo and behold, phone call back the same day and a visit from the FEO tomorrow.

My previous 5 attempts at eliciting some movement didn't produce much, and tbh I need to maintain a working relationship with the dept (I'm taking on the club FAC) but this was just poor service all round and grossly inefficient.

I'm particularly annoyed that the FLO head of shed sits (or at leased used to - I haven't checked lately) on FELWG and so has a hand in crafting the Police's policy / procedures but can't run an effective and efficient department. Couple that with the PCC telling my MP (Yvette Cooper who supports hugely increased fees circa 220 quid) that the fee's don't cover the cost of the certification process - well duh! it won't when you're this grossly inefficient.

IF the Police could get this e-system going, where everything can be done online and efficiently - then I'd be prepared to tolerate an increase (certainly not a 150% increase however) but until such time as these inefficiencies are rooted out then as tax payers we should not be subsidising pi55 poor leadership.

[safetyfirst]

Well done! My FEO once told me to remember that I, the tax payer, am the customer.

Bet you don't hear that a lot from an FEO!