BOROUGH OF POOLE

DECISION REQUIRED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL SORTON – PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS.

15TH JANUARY 2009

NATIONALITY CHECKING SERVICE TO BE IMPLEMENTED 1ST FEBRUARY 2009 (pending Home Office completing casework)

1.PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1To agree scale of fees (enclosed in annexe A), charged to each applicant for the provision of this service.

2.RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1For Neil Sorton – Portfolio Holder for Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness, to note and agree the fees set for clients attending Poole Register Office, who will be providing Nationality Checking Service, from 1st February 2009.

3.BACKGROUND/INFORMATION

3.1The Nationality Checking Service (NCS) enables local authorities to assist citizenship applicants in determining their eligibility for nationality, correctly completing the application documents, copying and certifying travel documents and submitting the application form to the Home Office.

3.2This partnership arrangement between central and local government has been extremely successful, and many local authorities are now participating in the delivery of this service.

3.3Local Authorities can offer the service under their wellbeing powers and make an administration charge to recover the costs. These costs are in the region of £50 per application. The Registration Service for Poole feels that £50 per adult application and £25 per minor (child) application would be an appropriate fee for the service.

3.4NCS is a natural predecessor to the Citizenship Ceremonies, which have been successful taking place every month in Poole. These ceremonies are embraced by the citizens, and are often an emotional experience for some, for whom it has been a long journey to obtain their citizenship.

5.IMPLEMENTATION

5.1To implement NCS, without causing pressures on existing staff, the advisor(s) will be casual staff that are not working full time. Whilst we have a Registrar at Poole Maternity, the advisor will use the vacated office to see NCS clients.

5.2With regard to appointments, the receptionists will allocate the slots in the electronic diary, and then contact the NCS advisor, who will contact the client to ensure they have all the necessary paperwork when they attend their appointment.

5.3During the appointment, the advisor will perform identity checks, and will take and certify copies of passports and other relevant documents. Details of credit/debit cards and or cheques will also be taken for the Home Office fee, which is approximately £500. A Home Office receipt is issued to each client. (see Annexe A, as agreed by Audit).

PLEASE NOTE THAT OFFICERS DO NOT IN ANY WAY ACT AS IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE DECISION PROCESS.

6.CONCLUSION

6.1Poole will be an ideal place to offer this service due to its location including a local port, and currently, neighbouring authorities are not offering NCS.

Tim Martin, LLB Solicitor

Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Contact Officer:

Christine Stainton

Superintendent Registrar

Tel: 01202 633720

Email:

17th December 2008

ANNEXE A

Type of application / Chargeable fee to customer inclusive of VAT / VAT / Taxable amount
Adult who submits a single application pays one fee / £50 / £6.52 / £43.48
Child / £25 / £3.26 / £21.74

Recording client payments and account transactions

  1. Advisor takes appropriate Local Authority fee at termination of interview (see above table) and issues receipt on behalf of the Local Authority
  1. Advisor takes Home Office fee, and records details of payment, on appropriate Home Office payment slip, and issues official Home Office receipt.

a)Fee and completed Home Office form attached to application and placed in special recorded delivery envelope to the Home Office.

b)Advisor sends the above docs and fees at close of business each day.

  1. Advisor records Local Authority fees on Schedule of Attendance of Nationality form. At close of business, advisor hands over Local Authority fees to the Superintendent Registrar for input into electronic cashbook. Advisor obtains second signature for handover of correct money.
  1. Fees are entered in relevant column in electronic cashbook, and names of clients entered on schedule of attendees.
  1. Money banked in line with current Borough of Poole’s accounting procedure.

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