wymberley Posted December 5, 2022 Report Share Posted December 5, 2022 Nice one, Devon and Cornwall! Variation arrived today with a 29/11 postmark. Allowing for a similar postal timescale outgoing - dated 15/11 - as per incoming, makes it a 10 day turnround - that'll do for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HantsRob Posted December 6, 2022 Report Share Posted December 6, 2022 Black friday offer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyshooter Posted December 6, 2022 Report Share Posted December 6, 2022 Just had SYP do my variation ( not a one for one ) in 5 working days. Top service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2022 11 hours ago, HantsRob said: Black friday offer? 😀 D&CC have something going on with The Sportsman in this vein but I’d posted my app’ off the day before I read about it on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HantsRob Posted December 7, 2022 Report Share Posted December 7, 2022 9 hours ago, wymberley said: 😀 D&CC have something going on with The Sportsman in this vein but I’d posted my app’ off the day before I read about it on here. Still a great result in speed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 How the mighty have fallen. Warwick takes 7 days for a FAC variation turnaround according to the NGO. 6 weeks and counting with no sign of progress from D&CC now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 Note the date and watch this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 5, 2023 Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 Very impressive. Cumbria took four weeks to do a one for one variation for a gamekeeper I know, but only after he informed licensing he was a keeper and needed the variation toot sweet. Initial enquiries told him it would be a couple of months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Shot 1958 Posted December 8, 2023 Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 Posted my application for a variation on the Monday variation arrived on the Thursday,4 days,well done Suffolk Police…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2023 1 hour ago, Lucky Shot 1958 said: Posted my application for a variation on the Monday variation arrived on the Thursday,4 days,well done Suffolk Police…. Go on, rub it in. Still nothing except that my cheque has been cashed. Seriously though, thanks for posting. These examples of efficiency WILL land in the D&CC PCC's in tray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 Step-son is off to a C&A party where him, his fiance and his boss are having an audience before the bun fight starts. Have suggested he could ask HM if he could find out why my variation is taking so long. Don't think I'll hold my breath though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2023 On 08/12/2023 at 15:47, wymberley said: Go on, rub it in. Still nothing except that my cheque has been cashed. Seriously though, thanks for posting. These examples of efficiency WILL land in the D&CC PCC's in tray They just have via email. This WILL be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 On 20/12/2023 at 15:21, wymberley said: They just have via email. This WILL be fun. It is. Haven't heard from step-son so he's either locked up in The Tower or his fiance gave him a good slapping. (See above) And I've had a reply which is almost verbatim as I expected. I didn't know what Bcc meant but found out. Feel sorry for my MP as he sounded fed up that I copied him for info only but at that stage required no action. The reply - not from the P&CC herself but a Customer Services Support Officer made things easy and my response has been sent. MP will be pleased that I've now asked for his input should he see fit - the MP down in Plymouth who is causing/has caused all the trouble is of a different political persuasion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 3 hours ago, wymberley said: the MP down in Plymouth who is causing/has caused all the trouble is of a different political persuasion The bookies have him as 7th favourite to be the next leader of the Labour Party. Might sound insignificant, but he’s only grown in popularity since Keyham. I wish that BASC would take him more seriously as a threat to the future of shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 17 Author Report Share Posted January 17 On 22/12/2023 at 12:36, wymberley said: It is. Haven't heard from step-son so he's either locked up in The Tower or his fiance gave him a good slapping. (See above) And I've had a reply which is almost verbatim as I expected. I didn't know what Bcc meant but found out. Feel sorry for my MP as he sounded fed up that I copied him for info only but at that stage required no action. The reply - not from the P&CC herself but a Customer Services Support Officer made things easy and my response has been sent. MP will be pleased that I've now asked for his input should he see fit - the MP down in Plymouth who is causing/has caused all the trouble is of a different political persuasion No response so had another go. I don't suppose BASC thought to ask about how progress was going with the review while they were busy teaching the FELU how to do land checks recently. Anyone else from Devon and Cornwall waiting up to 3 months+ for a variation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted January 17 Report Share Posted January 17 Think yourselves lucky you don't have to deal with West Mercia. PCC letter to Chief Constable on firearms licensing performance 26 September 2023 Dear Pippa, I write further to our discussion on the Firearms Licensing Unit (FLU) at last week’s West Mercia Governance Board (WMGB). Having reflected I feel it is appropriate and necessary to formally set out my significant concerns around some elements of performance within the FLU and seek your reassurance that these concerns will be urgently addressed. As I stated at WMGB public safety is my top priority, but with the additional resources I have made available to enact the operational activity you recommended, the public are entitled to expect an improvement in service without compromising safety. I felt at times that the discussion focused more on describing the problem, with insufficient emphasis on a clear route map towards sustained performance improvement, in line with the intent set out in my decision earlier this year to invest additional resources in the FLU. As Commissioner I have received sustained and significant concerns from members of the community expressing their concern and frustration on this topic. I have continued to raise these concerns on behalf of the public with West Mercia Police and have been clear in my appetite to see reduced backlogs and faster processing of cases. The nature and frequency of correspondence from residents, business owners, MPs and councillors demonstrates that the safe use of firearms by responsible owners remains a key element of both community life and the local economy in West Mercia. It is vitally important to them that the service level provided by the FLU reflects that. I am aware of the context to this matter in respect of West Mercia being the area with the highest volume of firearms licences in the country and the additional workload now associated with firearms licensing. I recognise the significant level of demand this places on the FLU. That is why I made £200,000 of additional resource available and indicated my support for further investment if it is required. My initial investment decision in March 2023 was taken in full consultation with the Force with a view to improving performance and better meeting community needs. At the time, the average wait for the issue of a firearms licence and shotgun licence were 230 days and 251 days respectively. Renewals of firearms licences and shotgun licences were 86 days and 66 days respectively. The intent of that additional investment was that the current backlog would reduce by 30% – 50% within 2023/24, and the average wait time for applications should reduce to 150 days as a maximum. I am concerned that based on subsequent updates at WMGB overall performance against these key outcomes continues to deteriorate rather than improve. This includes a 24% increase in the backlog of shotgun renewal applications since May this year (now standing at over 600), as part of an 8% overall increase in backlogged demand in the same period. If current trajectories are maintained, we will be approaching a full year for people to receive the service they need and rightly expect. I recognise that significant additional workload requirements for the FLU have landed since January, but I have equally been clear and consistent in my expectation that the Force operates a service that is timely as well as safe. The intent of March’s decision notice has not changed, and I am concerned that delivery of those promised improvements is at risk. The public have a reasonable expectation that their Police and Crime Commissioner can commission an efficient and effective service from West Mercia Police (WMP), with service standards that they would support. We do not seem to have yet achieved that with the current performance of the FLU. I would ask that an updated paper is brought to WMGB in October setting out the force’s actions that are being taken to address the concerns I have outlined and reassurance that the performance improvements within FLU will be delivered within the agreed time frames. Yours sincerely, John Campion West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted January 17 Report Share Posted January 17 Mate of mine who works for AVS on beat put his variation through on 5th Dec and is still waiting for it back... So he is going into the office for a chat tomorrow haha... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 17 Author Report Share Posted January 17 23 minutes ago, Graham M said: Think yourselves lucky you don't have to deal with West Mercia. PCC letter to Chief Constable on firearms licensing performance 26 September 2023 Dear Pippa, I write further to our discussion on the Firearms Licensing Unit (FLU) at last week’s West Mercia Governance Board (WMGB). Having reflected I feel it is appropriate and necessary to formally set out my significant concerns around some elements of performance within the FLU and seek your reassurance that these concerns will be urgently addressed. As I stated at WMGB public safety is my top priority, but with the additional resources I have made available to enact the operational activity you recommended, the public are entitled to expect an improvement in service without compromising safety. I felt at times that the discussion focused more on describing the problem, with insufficient emphasis on a clear route map towards sustained performance improvement, in line with the intent set out in my decision earlier this year to invest additional resources in the FLU. As Commissioner I have received sustained and significant concerns from members of the community expressing their concern and frustration on this topic. I have continued to raise these concerns on behalf of the public with West Mercia Police and have been clear in my appetite to see reduced backlogs and faster processing of cases. The nature and frequency of correspondence from residents, business owners, MPs and councillors demonstrates that the safe use of firearms by responsible owners remains a key element of both community life and the local economy in West Mercia. It is vitally important to them that the service level provided by the FLU reflects that. I am aware of the context to this matter in respect of West Mercia being the area with the highest volume of firearms licences in the country and the additional workload now associated with firearms licensing. I recognise the significant level of demand this places on the FLU. That is why I made £200,000 of additional resource available and indicated my support for further investment if it is required. My initial investment decision in March 2023 was taken in full consultation with the Force with a view to improving performance and better meeting community needs. At the time, the average wait for the issue of a firearms licence and shotgun licence were 230 days and 251 days respectively. Renewals of firearms licences and shotgun licences were 86 days and 66 days respectively. The intent of that additional investment was that the current backlog would reduce by 30% – 50% within 2023/24, and the average wait time for applications should reduce to 150 days as a maximum. I am concerned that based on subsequent updates at WMGB overall performance against these key outcomes continues to deteriorate rather than improve. This includes a 24% increase in the backlog of shotgun renewal applications since May this year (now standing at over 600), as part of an 8% overall increase in backlogged demand in the same period. If current trajectories are maintained, we will be approaching a full year for people to receive the service they need and rightly expect. I recognise that significant additional workload requirements for the FLU have landed since January, but I have equally been clear and consistent in my expectation that the Force operates a service that is timely as well as safe. The intent of March’s decision notice has not changed, and I am concerned that delivery of those promised improvements is at risk. The public have a reasonable expectation that their Police and Crime Commissioner can commission an efficient and effective service from West Mercia Police (WMP), with service standards that they would support. We do not seem to have yet achieved that with the current performance of the FLU. I would ask that an updated paper is brought to WMGB in October setting out the force’s actions that are being taken to address the concerns I have outlined and reassurance that the performance improvements within FLU will be delivered within the agreed time frames. Yours sincerely, John Campion West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Doesn't sound too bad compared to here - 86 and 66 days for an FAC and SGC renewals respectively compared to a straightforward (PCP addition) variation at 97 days and counting. At least the PCC sounds switched on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted February 5 Author Report Share Posted February 5 I said that this would be fun. As I'd had no response from the P&CC, I asked the Firearms Dep't that if this was going to drag on would they return my original cert' so I could at least buy some ammo. They didn't respond as quickly as they'd hoped but they were far quicker than the P&CC and in their reply asked me to confirm that If I hadn't received the certificate that had been done and dusted and posted on 10/11/2023 they would initiate lost or stolen action. I was able to confirm that I had not received it. I was also able to point out that following my query as to whether or not they had actually received my application as unusually my cheque had not been cashed, they replied on 20/11/2023 telling me that they had received it and it was awaiting processing. Oops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dessyb Posted February 5 Report Share Posted February 5 derbys 4 days variation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted February 9 Report Share Posted February 9 I can almost understand things taking a while if say I was applying for a new licence, but renewal and variations shouldn't take long at all?? I saw something the other day saying Yorkshire police are doing variations on the day at the shooting show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted February 9 Report Share Posted February 9 (edited) Took my ticket into Hindlip hall for a variation some 35 years ago, when I was under West Mercia. Saw Inspector Tolley and he did it there and then for me in less than half an hour. Used to call in at Lloyd house now and then and Cathy Warren was the girl to see if you needed anything done at West Mid's. I now hear that some police firearms licencing dept's won't even see you if you call in. What ever happened to the old helpful firearms dept's Edited February 9 by Graham M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted February 10 Author Report Share Posted February 10 14 hours ago, Graham M said: What ever happened to the old helpful firearms dept's Heaven knows. My applicaton for a .25 air rifle variation arrived today after 18 weeks for a.22 air rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 Well, 5 months less a day for a simple variation and have only got it now because of the input from my MP. Mind you, the FX looks better in my cabinet than on the RFD's rack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcw65 Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 Well done Cheshire,a variation done in 7 days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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