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Some info below that may be of interest, particularly to those in Thames Valley. Firearms update given by TVP Firearms Licencing Manager, Zoe Evans to the Thames Valley Rural Crime Meeting held at the end of June. Please note, I was NOT present at the meeting, so don't ask me any questions! I only received the following info by email and link to the update below. Nothing below is confidential, all info in the public domain. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Firearms Licensing Manager, Zoey Evans, attended the quarterly Rural Crime Meeting on 24/06/2019. 4. Update on Firearms Applications/Firearms Licensing Review. ZE ZE advised over the last 10 months the department has been subjected to a fundamental review, which has looked at staffing levels, volume of work, streamlining possibilities. Any recommendations will be made to CCMT at the end of the month and ZE will update attendees at the next meeting. Performance Data Turnaround times are very good and the department is meeting all of their targets, however ZE stressed that the department was currently in a non-peak year and we go into a peak renewal period in September 2019. From August to September 2019, applications (combined firearm and shot gun) will increase by 173%. ZE explained that volume/demand analysis had been carried out on a non-peak (2018) versus a peak year (2016) and the overall increase in all applications was 115%. The increase in other administration work (not applications) was 62%. The department is trying to level out the peaks and non-peaks and have started an "Early renewal project". The project is working and the volume of work is starting to level out for the next 5 year cycle (2024). The fees for an application are relatively low to encourage certificate holders to participate in the project, and will not increase. Departmental Costings The costs for running the Firearms Licensing Department are:- Firearms Licensing Expenditure and Income for financial year – 01/04/2018 – 31/03/2019:  Total running costs (expenditure) – £915,371  Total firearms licensing income – £326,434  Total cost incurred by TVP (public purse) - £588,938 Single Online Home Platform – online applications Certificates (grant and renewal) can now be obtained by applying on line. Thames Valley Police are one of three Forces that are piloting this. Due to a few technical issues, it has not been extended to all Forces, and therefore we are unable to put out any communications out around this. ZE stated that applying on line is a far more efficient process, both for the applicant and the department, and she would encourage applicants to move towards this process rather than applying via paper/post. When the online application system is fit for purpose, there will be a recommendation to CCMT to make it that the department only accepts on line applications. Attendees agreed that this was a sensible way forward. ZE explained that the department also offers an Online Weekly Surgery for those members of the public who would like to apply on line but do not feel that they have the knowledge, skills and/or access to a computer. Firearms Licensing Fees It was raised that the Thames Valley Police postal system does not help with the process of applying for a certificate. It was also raised by an attendee that it was his personal opinion that the Shot gun certificate fee should increase. The CLA are not in favour of this, but the NFU are. It was suggested that:  Applicants should pay the full amount for an early renewal application, not the current £25 fee.  The certificate should be extended to 10 years and increase the fee. ZE explained that the early renewal fee would not increase as the reduced fee is set as an incentive for certificate holders to apply early. With regards to the certificate extension (to 10 years) this would have to be a Home Office, not local force, decision. Medical Process Medical certificates: ZE advised as of 1 August 2019 there is a new policy being introduced in Thames Valley Police Firearms Licensing, which does not comply with Home Office guidance, for pre-medical application screening. Applicants will need to submit a GP pro forma with their application form for grants and renewal applications. If we do not have the applicant’s medical information, the application may be refused. This information has been updated on the force website and a list of FAQ’s has been circulated on the firearms licensing text alert group and via renewal letters. No concerns were raised regarding this change of process apart from the inconsistency of the GP fees charged across the Thames Valley area. ZE confirmed the BMA are currently in the process of agreeing on a recommended fee range that GP’s can refer to. Firearms Licensing Text Alert Group ZE advised Firearms Licensing have their own group text alerts and encouraged the group to sign up to it to receive regular updates. Instructions on how to join this group will be circulated to all attendees or can be found on Thames Valley Police website. Robin Edwards offered his thanks to the Firearms Licensing Team and complemented them on their improved service. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Original source link to access the minutes of the update at this meeting - Rural Crime Meeting - 24/06/2019