Partners can register and hold reception in Town Hall
From 21
December, same sex couples in Ealing will be able to celebrate their civil
partnership with a ceremony.
Any same sex couple wishing to form a civil partnership will be able to
give formal notice of their intention to register the partnership from
5 December. This will allow the first civil partnerships, and ceremonies,
to take place on or after 21 December, after the required 15 day waiting
period has expired.
Under the Civil Partnership Act 2004, a ceremony is not required to form
a civil partnership. However, Ealing Council has chosen to offer couples
the opportunity to hold one so that they can celebrate this important
occasion in their lives.
Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture,
said: "I am delighted that same sex couples in Ealing will be able
to mark their special day with a ceremony. It is clear from enquiries
already received by the Registrars Service that many couples will take
up this option. The council is committed to Ealing being a borough of
equal opportunities and diversity and providing the option of a civil
partnership ceremony is an important example of this."
The council is in the process of consulting with local lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender groups on the proposed arrangements for the formation
of civil partnerships in Ealing. This includes the proposed wording of
the ceremony which is based on a format devised by the Association of
Registration and Celebratory Services.
The cost of civil partnership ceremonies will be in line with those that
currently apply to marriages that take place in Ealing. This mirrors the
situation in neighbouring boroughs.
The scale of charges for ceremonies to be held in Town Hall will be as
follows:
Monday to Thursday - £53.50
Friday all day - £103.50
Saturday all day - £203.50
November 23, 2005