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Last updated: 28 April 2010
In the previous news item, we announced that Serco Plc will be managing the EPC in partnership with, and on behalf of, the Cabinet Office for a period of 15 years.
From the 1st April 2010, Serco will manage all activity on the site including the design, development and delivery of training and will exploit the spare capacity through complementary activities. This arrangement enables us to offer the best and most cost-effective possible training and services to you, our customers.
Although the hand-over of management to Serco involves enormous strategic change for us, for you, our customers, the changes will be progressive, seamless and reflect solid continuity. For example, we have published our Prospectus for 2010/11 and this covers the entire portfolio of our established courses up to March 2011.
The College will continue to operate under the direction of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) delivering training on its behalf that is subject to its approval and endorsement as conforming to the requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act and UK Resilience doctrine. Although many of the staff at EPC will be working for Serco, we will remain a single team dedicated to your service and the enhancement of UK Resilience.
In the meantime, there is one very important change that we need to bring to your attention. In accordance with HM Revenue and Customs Regulations Serco will have to add VAT, at the prevailing rate, to the published fees for future bookings. For many organisations this will have no significant impact as VAT charges are recoverable.
All of our bookings processes will remain unchanged and you should continue to contact the College in the usual ways. If you make a booking, your invoice will, however, be issued by Serco in advance of the event and payments can be made either by BACS or via credit card direct to the College. If you are booked to attend a training course at EPC your booking will be automatically transferred across to the Serco invoicing system.
We have prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions to deal with general queries relating to the charging of VAT, but please do not hesitate to contact the College if you have any further questions.