The York Council has decided to charge a licence fee of £2700 to Churches who wish to perform Civil Partnership ceremonies. This compares to the actual costs incurred by the Council in issuing the license of around £500.

North Yorkshire charge a £1375 fee.

The licence for secular premises lasts for 3 years; it is the same charge for renewal and review. The couples pay the fee for attendance by the superintendent registrar or registrar.

There are currently 26 secular licensed premises. These are predominantly businesses like hotels who ‘sell’ the ceremony to their customers as part of a ‘wedding package’ thereby making the licensing of these premises a “business” decision rather than an ethical one.

So far there has been one expression of interest (from the Quaker Group) who wish to offer this service.

The scale of the Council fee makes it unlikely other churches will apply to conduct such ceremonies.