Cambridge Licensing Team - Renewal and Grant

[Pete_Cambs]

You should be OK to borrow a shotgun for the pheasants next winter. If you still have the s7 you can possess your guns and be given cartridges as it is only buying that will be an issue, not possession.

I've got enough cartridges here to see out the end of the world so not so worried about that, was more not having my guns. I guess I could try and borrow a gun but still a bit uncomfy with that as it just introduces an extra thing I've got to sort.

I guess I see where I am in May / June as can potentially hold off the guy who runs the shoot until then.

 

[Ratel]

The really stupid thing is that it takes as much time and trouble to do extensions as it would to renew, so lack of resources is a poor excuse.

 

[tackb]

The really stupid thing is that it takes as much time and trouble to do extensions as it would to renew, so lack of resources is a poor excuse.

also , 8 months is ridiculous , there can be nothing that takes that long on a renewal

i renewed my passport in a week so i'll be generous and give them a month for a renewal of a FAC

it is simply unacceptable

 

[M@tt]

also , 8 months is ridiculous , there can be nothing that takes that long on a renewal

i renewed my passport in a week so i'll be generous and give them a month for a renewal of a FAC

it is simply unacceptable

Especially as we are now paying for the full cost and a better service is expected as a result.

Yeah, right.

 

[Marchman]

I received my renewal FAC/SG in January this year. The renewal application was submitted in December 2023. So just over 12 months.
I was given two extensions. One for 2 months followed by a section 7 for 6 months. After this they wouldn't issue further extensions so had to place guns in storage at a cost.
Wrote to Cambridgeshire Crime Commissioner who acknowledged the problems and numerous complaints they had received outlining staff shortages and that a recruitment process was underway. No time limit given for when I would get my renewal back.
I wrote to my MP (who was very good and timely). After about four days he got back to me. The licensing department informed him that my renewal was accepted and would be posted the following week. It arrived two weeks later.

 

[Delivery]

Lets see if the licensing price hikes makes any difference (apart from to our bank accounts)

BASC are currently running another survey

Firearms licensing feedback

This consultation is now closed Share

basc.org.uk

 

[Pete_Cambs]

I received my renewal FAC/SG in January this year. The renewal application was submitted in December 2023. So just over 12 months.
I was given two extensions. One for 2 months followed by a section 7 for 6 months. After this they wouldn't issue further extensions so had to place guns in storage at a cost.
Wrote to Cambridgeshire Crime Commissioner who acknowledged the problems and numerous complaints they had received outlining staff shortages and that a recruitment process was underway. No time limit given for when I would get my renewal back.
I wrote to my MP (who was very good and timely). After about four days he got back to me. The licensing department informed him that my renewal was accepted and would be posted the following week. It arrived two weeks later.

sadly my MP is a Lib Dem now so I'll not hold my breath for her support.....

If I had to store my guns for any length of time I'd end up having to sell half of them if not more as for 8 guns at the pound a day going rate I'd be on the hook for circa £240 per month.

 

[Marchman]

I had six guns at £5 per week per gun. Soon adds up.

 

[Lateral]

Hert's used to be FANTASTIC, they were then amalgamated with Bed's, & Camb's, with Camb's being the admin centre, but the local FEO's were retained. They remained good, as seen in the FLD league tables, this I think is 21-22 ? But it appears that if 9 >12 months for renewals is correct, they have gone downhill very fast !

Just look at the difference in processing efficiency, and the cost per application (From £42.00 > £522.00 ) and you soon realize that the Government just raising the fee's is BS, UNLESS someone takes the system by the scruff of it's neck, and sorts it from the ground up.

 

[Pete_Cambs]

Hert's used to be FANTASTIC, they were then amalgamated with Bed's, & Camb's, with Camb's being the admin centre, but the local FEO's were retained. They remained good, as seen in the FLD league tables, this I think is 21-22 ? But it appears that if 9 >12 months for renewals is correct, they have gone downhill very fast !

Just look at the difference in processing efficiency, and the cost per application (From £42.00 > £522.00 ) and you soon realize that the Government just raising the fee's is BS, UNLESS someone takes the system by the scruff of it's neck, and sorts it from the ground up.

My SGC grant was just prior to COVID when they had recently amalgamated, I was living in Heart at the time and the FEO I had was great, Kevin Lander... tried calling him a couple of times recently and phone is always off so assume he's no longer around?

suppose all I can do is carry on with life, stop stressing it and see what happens.

 

[Druid]

Old thread bump.
A chap at work, Cambs area, has been waiting 20 months for an SGC grant.
They sent one email confirming receipt about 2 months after application.

He has chased to no avail or response until very recently when he got a standard reply basically saying ‘we are experiencing delays and don’t contact us’

How has this country got to this level of incompetence.

 

[Bo Diddley]

I don't think it's incompetence at all. I think it's a deliberate way to frustrate anyone wanting to renew or apply for a SGC/Firearm certificate.
The hassle of renewing has put plenty off, and they have thrown in the towel.
This is a well orchestrated campaign.

 

[M@tt]

The hassle of renewing has put plenty off, and they have thrown in the towel.

Some would argue that these quitters weren't as keen shooters as everyone else.
If they had a very keen interest in shooting or a need to possess firearms for other reasons, they'd have put up with the issues.
It shouldn't be this way, and we should be able to possess (all other things being OK) just because we want to.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Some would argue that these quitters weren't as keen shooters as everyone else.
If they had a very keen interest in shooting or a need to possess firearms for other reasons, they'd have put up with the issues.
It shouldn't be this way, and we should be able to possess (all other things being OK) just because we want to.

I know several people who go beating that have thrown the towel in.
They enjoyed the beaters end of season days, roost shooting and a few days decoying, completely normal country folks, they pose no harm to anyone with or without a firearm.

 

[quarrystalker]

Old thread bump.
A chap at work, Cambs area, has been waiting 20 months for an SGC grant.
They sent one email confirming receipt about 2 months after application.

He has chased to no avail or response until very recently when he got a standard reply basically saying ‘we are experiencing delays and don’t contact us’

How has this country got to this level of incompetence.

I`ve stated on here before that I have a friend who submitted his application back in Dec 2024, for renewal of SGC march 2025 & he still is no further forward.

 

[M@tt]

They still have some from 2024 to do.
The backlog is getting worked on, but there are quite a few to get through.

However, the new one should come as a new grant and not a renewal. The expiry should be 5yrs from issue.

 

[royalewithcheese]

I have a friend in Bedfordshire who applied in 2023 for a grant and is still waiting!

 

[Klenchblaize]

I have a friend in Bedfordshire who applied in 2023 for a grant and is still waiting!

Just out of interest, has he received progress updates and/or requests for further info? Its all well and good being told "don't contact us - we'll contact you", but if he doesn't chase (seek updates) and the paperwork has been 'misplaced' he could still be waiting to hear something in 2029!

K

 

[royalewithcheese]

Just out of interest, has he received progress updates and/or requests for further info? Its all well and good being told "don't contact us - we'll contact you", but if he doesn't chase (seek updates) and the paperwork has been 'misplaced' he could still be waiting to hear something in 2029!

K

He's chased every 6 months or so, and basically is either ignored or told "we have your application, we will get to you when we get to you"