I would like to take this opportunity to put the record straight for your readers over our plans for the future of Register Offices in Gloucestershire.

The Journal has previously reported that "the North Cotswolds will lose its register office in Moreton" and that our proposals will "spell an end to basic £40 register civil weddings in the north of the county....."

Both these statements are totally inaccurate. We are not closing any registration offices, including Moreton, in Gloucestershire. Quite the opposite in fact. To ensure we provide a good service to Gloucestershire residents it is important that we maintain all the existing offices, and indeed, extend some of the opening times.

Each office will continue to offer the basic marriage ceremony service, which at present costs £40. However what we are considering is providing a choice of enhanced ceremonies for those that want them that may need to be charged at a higher cost.

Other enhancements to the current service will include a new purpose built Register Office in Cheltenham to replace the existing office, which has to be vacated in 2007.

The County Council is also looking to introduce a new central booking system to allow people to contact the service during office hours, every day of the working week to make appointments and ask for advice. At the moment some offices are closed on certain days of the week and none are open at lunchtime

The proposals will give people the ability to go to any of the County's Registration Offices to register births and deaths and give notice of intention to marry, and to form a civil partnership, not just their local office.

I hope you would agree that these proposed service improvements are excellent news for the people of Gloucestershire.

Shaun Parsons, Cabinet Member for Community Services, Gloucestershire County Council.