Thames Valley

[shugie]

I'm on my second temporary shotgun permit for a renewal from May, I put my FAC renewal in very early, yet six weeks after they cashed the cheque I received an automated notice from them suggesting I submit my FAC renewal early. So 180 days seems a bit optimistic to me.

[Polchraine]

How can they justify outsourcing the work? The cost of employing an external can be no greater than an internal officer. The you have the hierarchy above them to support and pay for, plus the profit that will be returned to shareholders and corporation tax on profits, AND the cosy of internal staff in the police force to manage and monitor the contracts- purchasing, legal/contracts, oversight ...

No wonder they are claiming it costs so much.

[zanes]

In other news I know a chap at my club who is looking at the start of ten months waiting on his FAC renewal. My simple variation on a one year old renewed FAC just hit the two month mark ... and counting.

Holy moly- how has it all gone so wrong from when I was shooting at (I think) the same club three or so years back?

[bnz41]

I contacted Essex 2 weeks ago via email as you can only phone them on set days between set times, to see how long variations were taking both new and 1for1. Six days later I received a reply, new variations 8-10 weeks & 1for1's 4 weeks both require a FEO visit before being granted.

Taken from the web site.
Grant of a firearm or a shot gun certificate
*40+ weeks
Renewal of a firearm or shot gun certificate (including variation to acquire additional firearms)
16 weeks (from the date of the expiry of the previous certificate). Please note: a temporary permit will be issued which will last for 6 months from the expiry of the old certificate. This will cover the certificate holder during the renewal process.
Change of address
8 weeks
'One for one' variation on an identical or similar calibre
4-5 weeks
One for one' variation on none identical or similar calibres and amendment of certificates for additional 'good reason' or use
10-12 weeks

[Dark Skies]

In other news I know a chap at my club who is looking at the start of ten months waiting on his FAC renewal. My simple variation on a one year old renewed FAC just hit the two month mark ... and counting.

Holy moly- how has it all gone so wrong from when I was shooting at (I think) the same club three or so years back?

Hard to believe, isn't it?

When I first started shooting back in the 80s I think it took something like a month to get my first FAC.
I had some variations in that decade which were done in a matter of a few weeks. Once I even had one done in a week. I seem to recall they were dealt with by Witney police station at the time.

Now it takes forever. The paperwork for my straight forward renewal (no variations or added slots) due for February 2015 was handed in during September 2014. The renewal only just squeaked in on time - I was already asking about a temp certificate, it was that close.

I guess I was lucky. I could scant believe the chap I mentioned had been waiting on his renewal for nine months already. That must easily be a month since our conversation - so now I guess he must be looking at the start of the eleventh month now! They just keep issuing temp certs.

It hasn't helped that, so I'm told, TVP have let staff go. Nor, I believe, they now have added responsibility for issuing FACs for the Hampshire area. Add to that all this bother with additional medical checks of dubious merit. An unwieldy system is bound to ensue - especially as they've not been that great for at least five years prior.

You'd think some sort of streamlining system would be in place for variations at least. In my case the FAC is only 20 months old - so the usual checks and concerns shouldn't be needed. Nothing significant has changed.
The variation is a swap for one rifle sold for another to replace plus a few muzzle loaders. Surely such a trifling variation could be pretty much rubber-stamped. Yet two months on and no news.

[kennyc]

I'm on my second temporary shotgun permit for a renewal from May, I put my FAC renewal in very early, yet six weeks after they cashed the cheque I received an automated notice from them suggesting I submit my FAC renewal early. So 180 days seems a bit optimistic to me.

my renewal was due feb this year with TVP, I returned the paperwork 5 months prior to that and I got my FAC about 3 days after the old one ran out, I had to carry out a campaign of email messages and phone calls from pretty much the time I sent my paperwork in, I involved BASC and kept up the pressure and in the end got my FAC on time, undoubtedly at the expense of some poor sod who hadn't been as pro-active!
my advice is write to the Firearms manager,the PCC,the Chief Constable and your local MP, all these people are stakeholders and have the ability to move things on, as long as we sit back and make no noise they will continue to screw us over!

[Racalman]

I sent my FAC renewal to TVP six months early as they requested. They sent me a six month temporary permit to run from the expiry date, which was last week.

It's no great hardship for me at the moment as I reload, but I will be on to them after Christmas.

[shugie]

I'm on my second temporary shotgun permit for a renewal from May, I put my FAC renewal in very early, yet six weeks after they cashed the cheque I received an automated notice from them suggesting I submit my FAC renewal early. So 180 days seems a bit optimistic to me.

my renewal was due feb this year with TVP, I returned the paperwork 5 months prior to that and I got my FAC about 3 days after the old one ran out, I had to carry out a campaign of email messages and phone calls from pretty much the time I sent my paperwork in, I involved BASC and kept up the pressure and in the end got my FAC on time, undoubtedly at the expense of some poor sod who hadn't been as pro-active!
my advice is write to the Firearms manager,the PCC,the Chief Constable and your local MP, all these people are stakeholders and have the ability to move things on, as long as we sit back and make no noise they will continue to screw us over!

The nature of my work means it's not wise for me to annoy either Mr Stansfield or Mr Habgood (who is not, I am lead to believe, that keen on the private ownership of firearms), but John Redwood is fair game. Anyone know if he's pro or anti shooting?

[mag41uk]

John Redwood was sympathetic when I saw him after Dunblane.

[shugie]

John Redwood was sympathetic when I saw him after Dunblane.

That's reassuring. I hope he's not got a good memory though; when I lived in Crowthorne he came to my front door seeking my vote, and I assured him that it would be a cold day in hell before I would vote for him. Still the measure of a good constituency MP is whether he supports constituents who he knows do not share his political views to any great extent.