UPDATE: TVP FAC/SGC Renewals

[B&W FOX]

I've just received the following from TVP

" Your firearm and shotgun coterminous renewal letter is being sent out 6 months in advance of your expiry date. This is due to the 'peak renewal period' and the demands this period places on other departments, such as the finance department and the Information Research Bureau (IRB).The finance department is responsible for processing the licencing fee (no s##t Sherlock) and the IRB are responsible for carrying out the intelligence background checks on applicants and their referees......etc etc "

All I can say there must be a lot of other members on here in the TV Region that are renewing their tickets in November or is it just me taking up all their resources with mine

 

[teabag_46]

Says they are returning 60% of application/renewal forms, due to errors on them?

Surely that must be an exaggeration?

 

[kennyc]

I've just received the following from TVP

" Your firearm and shotgun coterminous renewal letter is being sent out 6 months in advance of your expiry date. This is due to the 'peak renewal period' and the demands this period places on other departments, such as the finance department and the Information Research Bureau (IRB).The finance department is responsible for processing the licencing fee (no s##t Sherlock) and the IRB are responsible for carrying out the intelligence background checks on applicants and their referees......etc etc "

All I can say there must be a lot of other members on here in the TV Region that are renewing their tickets in November or is it just me taking up all their resources with mine

its your own fault for applying during a "peak period"
mind you mine was due in Feb 2 years ago so its a hell of a "peak period" as I had a similar/same letter when mine was due

 

[Lord V]

The peak period runs from January 1st to December 31st.

 

[old keeper]

As a matter of interest a young lad in the village applied for an FAC for a 22LR and from start to finish when the certificate arrived it was exactly three weeks. Well done Devon and Cornwall, another local lad applied for a shotgun cert. and that was even quicker!

 

[I. Farticus]

UPDATE:
TVP is introducing a text message system to improve the licensing service...

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/text-alert-for-firearms-licensing-procedures-92142

This was discussed some time ago in this thread as a possible way forward, citing the ease with which a passport renewal is conducted. It would be nice to think that someone in power has actually read this thread and actioned the suggestion, but that might be slightly far fetched and entirely coincidental!

No matter, it's good news if it works!

 

[Loki]

Hi

I have had sms text confirmation my renewal application is being processed (few weeks after the application was made/handed in) and last week another advising that it is now with the FEO.

L

 

[kes]

I am now in for renewal with a force who sent me the documents 12 weeks in advance and advised I needed to submit within 21 days to them as they do not issue S7 permits.
if I failed to return the documents within that period they would require me to lodge with an RFD, An exception was provided for serious personal difficulties advised to them. Clearly a maximum of 9 weeks to process. They seem a good lot, no question of deviating from the Guidance - they only ask for one photo - which they digitise, as with other forces.
Assuming all my ducks are in order and I've not missed/messed-up something, I expect to be notified of a visit shortly. Efficiency is a pleasure to deal with. Full story later.

 

[Orion]

I am now in for renewal with a force who sent me the documents 12 weeks in advance and advised I needed to submit within 21 days to them as they do not issue S7 permits.
if I failed to return the documents within that period they would require me to lodge with an RFD, An exception was provided for serious personal difficulties advised to them. Clearly a maximum of 9 weeks to process. They seem a good lot, no question of deviating from the Guidance - they only ask for one photo - which they digitise, as with other forces.
Assuming all my ducks are in order and I've not missed/messed-up something, I expect to be notified of a visit shortly. Efficiency is a pleasure to deal with. Full story later.

Very good, but there's another week available before you'd need to get your application in to them.

If they receive the documents 8 weeks prior to the expiry date and fail to process the application in time, then there is now an extension granted of an additional 8 weeks life to your FAC without the need for a S.7.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/131/enacted

 

[Fielder]

Another update, After getting my FAC application completed in just 7 weeks i put in a Viaration request. I got a text message on the 20th to say it was received by TVP and got a phone call today (28th) from my FAO to discuss the details (Who was polite, understanding and efficent). So just 8 days to that point. Now to wait and see how long it will take for the new licence to be sent to me but my expernce with TVP have certainly all been positive so far.

 

[oxfordshirestalker]

Doing the paperwork for a first centrefire variation with TVP at the mo, will keep you posted. Should I expect a visit? Sending in land details, DSC1 cert etc just to try and smooth the process.

 

[Loki]

Hi

My renewal (due Nov17) seems to have almost concluded -

Forms handed in early May with a couple of issues surfacing end May/early June (no copy Cert etc.), so back with them within a few of days of advising.

SMS text 26th June application received and sent for processing.
SMS text 20th July referred to FEO.
Telephone chatter today, 3rd Aug, and all concluded with it being written up and to be posted shortly.

Okay no changes to calibres, moderators, ammunition ('cept agreed reduction in 12g slug) but a significant improvement in my experience this renewal, so can only say good service.

Disappointed to understand that Senior FEO Paul B is also retiring soon - so no real increase in (staff) resource until post filled.

Hopefully no E & O when delivered..........

L

 

[Fielder]

Another update, Thames valley Vairation - 3 weeks start to finish.

 

[oxfordshirestalker]

10 days between delivering (by hand to HQ) and the "referred to FEO" text which I got at 2100 on Friday evening. Now to wait, but a stark improvement on everything thus far. Never got a "received" text.

 

[Disco_Richy]

Variation sent in end of June, text saying referred to FEO 3rd Aug, visit tomorrow...

 

[oxfordshirestalker]

Variation updates:
10 days from delivery to FEO referral
16 days from Delivery to call from FEO who was happy to do everything over the phone. Gave me the all clear but now the real wait begins. The delays with TVP have always seemed to be with the admin and printing/posting side of things rather than the local FEOs.

No complaints thus far!

 

[oxfordfowler]

Well things at TV Firearms appear to be improving. Last time I had any dealings it took 10 months just for a SGC renewal.

So it was with little expectation of anything much better in the service that I embarked on my now coterminous renewal (18 months later).

11.04.17 I received a letter from TV Police reminding me to complete renewal forms in good time.
26.04.17 Completed forms posted back to Kidlington HQ. Delivered on 27.04.17
23.05.17 Cheque cashed.
22.06.17 Informed by GP that TV Police requesting medical all clear.
11.08.17 Text from TVP - application now with FEO.
17.08.17 Missed a phone call from the FEO
18.08.17 Spoke to the FEO as no real change to my situation/land/security phone call turned into renewal interview. All good and he OK'd my variation to add a 30-06. Application returned to admin - new certificate should arrive in good time before my renewal date in early October.


Just waiting now - still need a bit of time to save up for some shopping therapy, YES.


04.09.17 My new SGC & FAC certificates arrived this morning. The only annoying thing is - next renewal I'll be 65 (damn)

 

[Disco_Richy]

The delays with TVP have always seemed to be with the admin and printing/posting side of things rather than the local FEOs.

That's the feeling I've gotten during my limited dealings with TVP (initial application and a variation); FEOs do pretty much all they can in the time they have, there's just not enough of them and consequently the areas some of them have to cover is bordering silly.

 

[oxfordshirestalker]

My certificate is in the post!
10 days delivery to "FEO referral" text
16 days delivery to FEO chat
30 days delivery to delivery. Nothing to complain about with that! It's clear that their text system isn't really working though - I only received one of the three texts they say you should but that's not really anything to complain about.
What is, however, worth complaining about is the fact I'm going on holiday for a week on Saturday so won't be able to pick up my new rifle for at least 10 days

 

[Disco_Richy]

My variation is apparently in the post also.

36 days delivery to "FEO referral" text
47 days delivery to FEO visit
62 days delivery to email reply from TVP stating "Your variation has been completed and is being posted to you".

Still obviously some variation between areas, I wonder what the ratio of numbers of certificate holders per area per FEO is like. Agreed re. the text system; assuming mine is actually in the post I've also only received the initial "has been referred to FEO"-message, hopefully they get that sorted as it will save them replying to a lot of 'whats happening with my xxxx'-emails/phone calls.

All I hear is its budget-related, which I'm sure is true. I wonder how many certificate holders would be willing to pay increased fees to fix it, or pay for an additional fee for a 'fast track' service perhaps.

Hoping the postie brings an exciting envelope tomorrow or Saturday - I'm not going on holiday for 10 days ;P