Forwarded - Richmond charging for licences

[pg]

No, I don't think this is a win to be honest. There will still be councils who will be known to provide a fast turnaround and some councils that are known to be slow, so there will continue to be children who miss out because they live in an area where it takes 21 days for a licence to be issued (most commercials would require licences in a much, much quicker turn around time than that and so would some TV).

I think it is a better outcome than a £200 fast track charge mind you - that really would be discriminatory because you can bet your bottom dollar that the production companies wouldn't pay it, so where a quick turnaround is required the parts would only go to those people willing to part with the dosh. A better solution would be a complete overhaul of the system or councils willing to issue 12 month licences.

If the production companies were willing to pay for the fast-tracking, then that would be a different matter. It might mean the production companies got themselves better organised and either set things up far enough in advance or budgetted for fast track licences.

[bcnups]

Dgd in Hertfordshire has been very fortunate, and the performance licences have always arrived on time. (in fact sometimes surprised us with how quick they've carried out this function). But then, major film production companies seem to be able to plan ahead - or have more influence? Am I missing something here? Why do television production companies/commercial makers want to do a turnround with such short notice? Surely they don't decide last minute? It feels like I will never understand this business.