UK Border Agency

Over the last few months officials of the UKBA have been visiting clubs that currently hold licences to employ overseas people, checking that their procedures are acceptable.

Clubs that do hold licences will be aware that they are graded either A or B, with the vast majority A. It has now been reported that some clubs, following a visit have had their grading reduced from A to B and been presented with an action plan to overcome their peceived shortcomings.

We have now heard of one such club, which having been presented with an action plan, have now been presented with a demand for a considerable sum of money to carry out that action plan.

It would be most useful therefore to hear of the experiences encountered when such initial visits have been undertaken, as clearly we must do what we can to address this issue.

The stories of clubs would be helpful in compiling a full report.

Meeting Postponement

In only the second time since Conference was founded in 1962, it was necessary to postpone yesterdays meeting at Moseley due to the extreme weather we are currently experiencing.

I received a number of emails during the course of the week, particularly from those regular attenders in the east of the country, expressing grave reservations regarding the viability of travelling the the prevailing conditions. At lunch time Thursday the decision was therefore taken to postpone the meeting, and with the benefit of email, all delegates should have received details of the decision within minutes.

Hopefully we will reconvene early in the New Year, and of course a message will be issued to all in due course.