Avon and Somerset variation time

[timbrayford]

Hostile reply there Tim.

No hostility intended, just think that COVID has become a ready excuse for FLDs & indeed other public sector organisations to give poor quality service. If only there was some equivalent to tripadvisor that we could use. I'm not looking to pick an argument with any FLD but without a bona-fide anonymous means of providing both negative & positive feedback on their performances how can they possibly aspire to excel?

 

[Mike L]

Now, a TripAdvisor feedback system for constabularies would be funny as hell

 

[Uncle f]

I’ll start. Spent a night at a Surrey police station in January. Food was poor. General toilet facilities were adequate, hand washing provision was non existent.
no bed sheets just a paper type blanket. Mattress was very thin. Although security arrangements for your property was excellent

Wouldn’t go again.

I hope this helps anyone looking to book a trip

 

[timbrayford]

I’ll start. Spent a night at a Surrey police station in January. Food was poor. General toilet facilities were adequate, hand washing provision was non existent.
no bed sheets just a paper type blanket. Mattress was very thin. Although security arrangements for your property was excellent

Wouldn’t go again.

I hope this helps anyone looking to book a trip

Staff generally surly and unhelpful?

 

[Twodogs]

About a month ago, don't know the current situation, Gloucestershire weren't even entertaining variations and grants.

 

[Uncle f]

Staff generally surly and unhelpful?

Yes Tim. How’d you guess. Reception staff especially unhelpful and quick to judge it seemed. !!!

 

[starr shot]

What was the room service like,could you get a meal or a drink after hours

 

[Uncle f]

What was the room service like,could you get a meal or a drink after hours

I would suggest that a drink and a meal was one of the same things bud?!!! After hours mate it didn’t matter. However you did have to get out of the special bed provided and press a novel little red button by the door. The produce was then handed to you via a very clever cut out hatch in the door. No need to open the door. very clever invention that!!!

 

[starr shot]

Nah I’m having none of that if there aren’t chocolates on the pillow I’m not staying.

 

[Uncle f]

I’d ask mate and see what chocolates they could find for you. Although I wouldn’t hold you breath.... for too long as the staff may accuse of of having some kind of mental Illness, or drug dependence or alcohol problem. There very quick to insinuate.

 

[Dorset Shakari]

I've had a one for one variation in with Avon and Somerset since 22 April. The told me to expect a six week wait.

 

[bumpy22]

Waited 3 months in past for variation with Avon and Somerset. got told a month for variation at moment but I suspect I maybe waiting a bit longer lol

 

[DHR.243]

In Suffolk.... i posted my variation form last Wednesday, received my updated license on Monday. Credit where it's due.

 

[Steve123]

But to do your Ten minute job it has to get to the top of what is probably a large pile,or you could ring them and ask if they would be so kind and jump yours forward over everyone else that’s waiting.

If they were not so ridiculous with their slow service there would never be a big pile in front of my variation, or any one else

 

[Dorset Shakari]

Just received my one for one yesterday from A&S. Six weeks.

 

[Fabnosh]

I had a call from A&S on Friday re: change of address. It was a very polite and professional call and we chatted about a number of things.....one of which was turnaround times on variations and renewals. The chap I spoke with said they had made significant inroads into clearing their backlog and getting on top of things. Variations were running at about 4-6 weeks and for renewals allow a clear 8 weeks but hoped to improve on those times in due course.

FN

 

[AndyTheSilent]

Still waiting for my variation with D&C, just hit the 7 week mark and when I spoke to them the other day they hadn't got to it yet. Last week they told me it was next in the pile.

 

[Steve123]

I just had the call saying mine was done now. It seems they had staff leave and it takes time to train up new people.

 

[WellieP]

Just had my first co-terminus grant for rimfire and centre fire from A&S. All said and done its taken 6 months which from what I hear seems to be the norm for A&S now (staff shortages, back log etc).

All contact with them has been good and they've been helpful and reasonable about what they've granted, obviously closed cert but that seems standard for A&S.

The postcode lottery aspect of this was highlighted to me when my BIL applied in Wiltshire at a similar time for essentially the same things and received an open ticket (on first grant) within around 6 weeks (after they reopened post Covid).

Not sure that any blame can be ascribed to the individuals carrying out the work (who in my opinion are between a rock and a hard place), but the system overall seems very haphazard and vulnerable to budget cuts and regional variations in attitudes.

Phil

 

[yeet]

Anyone got an idea of how long its taking now? The best I've ever had from them is about 5 weeks.