Staff hit out at register reorganisation (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Staff hit out at register reorganisation

REGISTER office staff in the Cotswolds have slammed the county council's planned overhaul of the county's registration service.

In a damning letter 42 registration staff have poured scorn over Gloucestershire County Council's handling of plans to unify the county's registration districts.

Though not against reform in principal, they believe the proposals are "fiscally unsound" and the management team "disorganised".

Staff also claim they are being kept in the dark about the future of their jobs, which is causing apprehension and stress.

The plan is to unify the districts of Cheltenham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Cirencester, Gloucester, Forest and Stroud into one county district.

There would be one official register office in Cheltenham, where administrative functions will be centralised.

The plus side of the unification is that people will be able to go to any office in the county to register marriages, births and deaths.

But the existing marriage rooms in the new 'outstations' will be decommissioned, meaning there would be added costs to using them.

The official register office room will be in Cheltenham, where people will still be able to have a marriage for the standard fee of £40.

Roger Marles, proper officer for registration, said: "This will provide a much more flexible service - the removal of these districts will mean a greater level of access for the public.

"There will be an official central register office in Cheltenham which will deal with centralised administration functions.

"People will be able to contact the service during normal office hours to make appointments and ask advice, whereas at the moment some offices have restricted opening hours."

However, register staff across the county say GCC has ignored their professional advice and rushed through the consultation process.

They said: "We feel that the changes are being driven through regardless of the registration process and without first developing workable policies."

There is particular concern a centralised system will lead to a less efficient service, especially at Cirencester Register Office where opening hours are to be cut.

Furthermore, staff claim several hospitals and funeral directors are unaware of the planned changes.

County councillor Deryck Nash has also questioned whether the Cheltenham office will be able to handle the extra workload.

Cllr Nash said: "I don't think it is being handled very well and I have concerns about the way things are going. This is supposed to be a step towards the 21st century - so why are they moving into an old office which needs a lot of work?"

Despite this criticism, however, the council says there must be changes in order for GCC to provide a better service to the public.

Terry Standing, director for community safety, said: "I'm very much aware of the concerns of staff and have worked with them to ensure their professional views are taken seriously. Without their knowledge it would be impossible to deliver these changes.

"All staff fully support the changes, but we need to work together to deliver them in a timely manner. I believe we're doing that with their help."