RENEWAL TIME

[HALODIN]

Interesting, we still have assigned FEO's in the Midlands to the best of my knowledge. Does the fact that it's policeman affect the process?

[saddler]

Interesting, we still have assigned FEO's in the Midlands to the best of my knowledge. Does the fact that it's policeman affect the process?

Not being in the same postal code/internal department/budget pool will henceforth mean tasks are magically streamlined & there are zero delays & misunderstandings as non-specialist staff take over a totally new, previously specialist, role....

[HALODIN]

Is this a nationwide change or a county-by-county change?

[Rockhopper]

All ours are civilians (including the guy who signs the certificates). Each one has his own patch so you always deal with the same guy (unless he leaves of course).

[lapua338]

It's renewal time for me at the moment too.

In order for them to have sufficient time to process my renewal I was requested to submit my forms within 8 weeks (40 working days) before expiry of my existing certificate.

What resources are required to print a new certificate, have it signed and posted? Nothing has changed since the previous renewal so it's beyond my comprehension as to why they require 8 weeks? It's an hours work (and that's being generous).

Furthermore, it's insulting that they expect a fee for their inefficiency and inadequacy.

[waterford103]

Just phoned to ask how things were proceeding to be told it's ready to be signed but the Inspector is on hols , the kind lady apologised and said it should have been out today - ho hum be friday now -about three weeks , that'll do nicely.

[ovenpaa]

SGC renewal was put in at 4 months before expiry and right at the last moment I was told I had not included current pictures so I got a temporary instead. I decided against arguing and just sent another set of pictures off. Now I have just put in my FAC for condition to shoot across land, I am guessing 4 months however I could be wildly out....

[Blackstuff]

Isn't applying for a renewal just a simple formality? i.e. you've probably already got a relationship with your FEO and unless you're asking for additional slots, it's just a foregone conclusion... isn't it?

Not at all. They should be re-evaluating your circumstances as if its a grant. The only thing less they have to do is physically check your security and contact your gun club/check your land, assuming you're still using the same as you were at the grant/last renewal.

It's renewal time for me at the moment too.

In order for them to have sufficient time to process my renewal I was requested to submit my forms within 8 weeks (40 working days) before expiry of my existing certificate.

What resources are required to print a new certificate, have it signed and posted? Nothing has changed since the previous renewal so it's beyond my comprehension as to why they require 8 weeks? It's an hours work (and that's being generous).

Furthermore, it's insulting that they expect a fee for their inefficiency and inadequacy.

While that might be true if they only had your single certificate to process, its a bit different when they have several hundred to do at the same time! I can't put my finger on the figures that give a breakdown of the number of certificates per county but IIRC my county, Durham, has around 9,000 certificates. Spread over the course of the 5 year certificate life that's 1,800 applications for grant or renewal to process per year, and that doesn't include variations, take into account the 'bulge' created when certificate length went from 3 to 5 years etc.

If compared to the number of planning applications, which have a similar length turn around time, last year Durham Council dealt with 3,868, so about half the number but there are about 25-30 planners in DCC, whereas there are about 6 FEO's in the firearms department!

Cue digs at the council for those missing the point

[dromia]

Funny how despite the resource difference the planning function is just as flaky as the firearms certification and explosives licensing function.

[Blackstuff]

We have a winner, and in only 4 minutes!