Cambridge Licensing Team - Renewal and Grant

[Pete_Cambs]

Wondering if anyone has any recent experience with Cambs licensing team and FEOs - it’s the tri-county team with Beds and Herts.

I’ve submitted my SGC renewal in October and just submitted my FAC application on Monday as I’ve decided to pursue deer stalking as well and have stalks and my DSC1 booked.

I did get a couple of emails from the team about a month ago when I chased them about the renewal as it was approaching and they issued me an extension but since then a follow up query went unanswered as did an email flagging contentions submitted my FAC and would like that to run coterminous with my SGC.

Firstly does anyone have recent experience of a renewal and how long did it take?

Secondly do Cambs grant further extensions if the initial one expires as I’ve heard mixed views in this but none from this county.

Lastly do we think they’ll actually process my FAC grant at the same time as my SGC renewal or will it just be shunted to the back as it’s a grant? Makes sense to me to do it at the same time as it’s more productive given they are doing 90% of the work for my SGC anyway but I’m not the licensing team.

 

[Rogerp]

I submitted my renewal in March 24 for a July expiry, was given the usual extension & when that expired I got a possession only certificate so no buying ammo or buying & selling guns. Had a video call with the feo 2 weeks ago to say everything was in order but still waiting for fac to arrive, so I think you may have a bit of a wait although I thought that they weren’t granting any at the moment but might be wrong.

 

[TringSaint]

I am in Herts and my FEO told me that his renewal took 12 months! Make of that what you will!!
They have major staffing issues so don’t hold your breath!!

 

[Pete_Cambs]

I submitted my renewal in March 24 for a July expiry, was given the usual extension & when that expired I got a possession only certificate so no buying ammo or buying & selling guns. Had a video call with the feo 2 weeks ago to say everything was in order but still waiting for fac to arrive, so I think you may have a bit of a wait although I thought that they weren’t granting any at the moment but might be wrong.

I've read the same comment about a pause on new grants but given my SGC is in for renewal it just made sense in my brain that they would do the FAC grant at the same time as all the criminal and medical checks are the same so its just one extra referee they have to contact and a home visit o surly that would reduce duplication in effort.... perhaps that's just my private sector management brain taking over.

I am in Herts and my FEO told me that his renewal took 12 months! Make of that what you will!!
They have major staffing issues so don’t hold your breath!!

that really isn't very encouraging is it.

 

[TringSaint]

I've read the same comment about a pause on new grants but given my SGC is in for renewal it just made sense in my brain that they would do the FAC grant at the same time as all the criminal and medical checks are the same so its just one extra referee they have to contact and a home visit o surly that would reduce duplication in effort.... perhaps that's just my private sector management brain taking over.

that really isn't very encouraging is it.

No, not really. My renewal is next year so hopefully they have sorted it out by then.
Just make sure you keep your original license and are up to the max on ammo before it expires and they put you on temporary tickets!

 

[Pete_Cambs]

No, not really. My renewal is next year so hopefully they have sorted it out by then.
Just make sure you keep your original license and are up to the max on ammo before it expires and they put you on temporary tickets!

I only hold an SGC at present, the FAC was a new grant that I did on Monday.

I'm now just into the 8 week extension they issued for the SGC, just hoping if they can't sort me in the next 8 weeks they at least extend the extension letter for me but I have seen some comment that Cambs don't....

Obviously I'd love them to sort my FACC grant at the same time as my SGC renewal but my biggest concern at present is finding myself in a situation where I have to swallow paying to store 8 shotguns.

 

[shakey jake]

Mine took 9 months. Once its over the feo head the managment are a joke, wont talk, wont respond. They lie about renewal dates, i assume to make them look good. Ive spoken to an ex feo who doesnt understand how they can legally extend your license, but thats their mo.
I think you will be very lucky to get an fac grant, ive been told they are all on hold.
With regards to storage, im sure i was quoted £5 per gun per week. I would be looking for friends to add to their license before yours runs out.
I hope you have a better experience than i did

 

[Rogerp]

I know a RFD who has so many guns in storage that he can’t take anymore in for a while.

 

[TringSaint]

I only hold an SGC at present, the FAC was a new grant that I did on Monday.

I'm now just into the 8 week extension they issued for the SGC, just hoping if they can't sort me in the next 8 weeks they at least extend the extension letter for me but I have seen some comment that Cambs don't....

Obviously I'd love them to sort my FACC grant at the same time as my SGC renewal but my biggest concern at present is finding myself in a situation where I have to swallow paying to store 8 shotguns.

If you submitted the sgc on time then you are ok. They will keep issuing extensions - only issue is you can’t buy ammo.

 

[tackb]

i am with them , and whilst the days of while you wait variations are gone i still find them to be pretty good , but my renewal isn't up for a year or two so who knows by then?

 

[M@tt]

When it comes to extensions after the 8 weeks statuary, they give a permit to possess (s7) depending upon the circumstances. I was told if there is anything noted on your record (good or bad, won't matter) it'll likely not be a s7 but a note asking you to store your firearms with a dealer. Then they'll get round to it as and when.

We have one member with an SGC, and he has had an FAC application in for approximately a year with nothing from them other than a request for payment and an email reply saying don't email asking about the application as it only slows them down, and it'll be done when it's done.

 

[TringSaint]

When it comes to extensions after the 8 weeks statuary, they give a permit to possess (s7) depending upon the circumstances. I was told if there is anything noted on your record (good or bad, won't matter) it'll likely not be a s7 but a note asking you to store your firearms with a dealer. Then they'll get round to it as and when.

We have one member with an SGC, and he has had an FAC application in for approximately a year with nothing from them other than a request for payment and an email reply saying don't email asking about the application as it only slows them down, and it'll be done when it's done.

My FEO was having extension letters until he got his renewal through but didn’t have to put his guns into storage.
I had the same when I was at TVP and they went 10-12 weeks over my expiry date and said just crack on but you can’t buy ammo.
From what I was told by my FEO, as long as you submit you renewal in a timely manner, ie not more that 6 months before expiration but not less than 4 months, then you are ok and any delay in their side is their issue, not yours.
How that transpires into reality is a different matter altogether!!

 

[M@tt]

What is often overlooked is that if the FAC expires after the 8 weeks extension and you are subject to section 7 permits to possess, when you do eventually get your FAC renewed it should run from the date issued and not the date the old one expired.

 

[TringSaint]

What is often overlooked is that if the FAC expires after the 8 weeks extension and you are subject to section 7 permits to possess, when you do eventually get your FAC renewed it should run from the date issued and not the date the old one expired.

Indeed, but I have heard lots of stories where people have had the license dated from the expiry date and not the actual renewal date, meaning that you get <5 years.
Bit naughty really.

 

[M@tt]

But if people don't know or don't point out the error of the FLD's ways it'll continue.

I have my renewal at the end of this year, I'm hoping it'll all be fixed by then.

 

[TringSaint]

But if people don't know or don't point out the error of the FLD's ways it'll continue.

I have my renewal at the end of this year, I'm hoping it'll all be fixed by then.

Hopefully - mine expires in Nov 26, so they have plenty of time to fix. Question is, will they??

 

[Pete_Cambs]

So a little update for everyone as I've had a very useful and informative conversations with BASC East of England firearms support team this morning.

Firstly current wait times - 8 months for a renewal and 18 months for a grant.

He did confirm that BCH should be issuing Section 7 extensions if the initial section 20 is expiring before your renewal is granted however it is a manual process for the section 7 so you will need to contact them and chase as required. he did say that previously they were not issuing them as there had been some mis-information within what is a relatively new and inexperienced team. They may choose not to issue a section 7 if they are unhappy with something on your application and want to further investigate.

The section 7 extension should allow you to continue to hold guns and buy cartridges / rifle ammo but some RFDs may refuse.

In regards to my specific situation with an SGC renewal submitted and then latterly an FAC grant submitted he was pretty confident they would indeed process them together and he was also comfy with my justification for the FAC given I am enrolled on a DSC1 and have 2 dates guided stalking in the diary over the coming months. He also agreed the range conversion course at Cambridge Gun Club was a sensible idea once / if the FAC is granted. What he was worried about is that rather than my FAC being processed with my RGC renewal within the 8 month time frame the SGC renewal will be shunted out with my FAC application into an 18 month wait with them just continuing to issue section 7 extensions (that's if they do indeed even issue me a section 7 to begin with).

He has advised me to send them an email mid March asking for a section 7 to be issued as my section 20 expires at the end of March, he's given me his email address and asked me to CC him so he can apply a poke if required.

So the best case seems to be they issue me a section 7 at the end of March and I get my SGC renewal and FAC granted sorted in June(ish) as that's 8 months from submitting my SGC renewal, worse case its summer 2026 before either of them move!

The section 7 permit would at least save me having to pay to store 8 guns and allow me to keep clay shooting.... At £40 a week for storing them all it would get very expensive very quickly and I'd likely have to sell the bulk of the guns if it was going to drag passed the summer let alone into summer 2026!

What it won't fix is my ability to commit to my pheasant / partridge syndicate next season, whilst I can't see any reason at all I'd be refused the SGC renewal I am also not prepared to take the risk of paying out £1000 plus in deposits only for them to withdraw a section 7 permit or refuse the renewal full stop.

 

[M@tt]

Hopefully - mine expires in Nov 26, so they have plenty of time to fix. Question is, will they??

Mine's about 2 weeks after yours. We'll compare notes next Christmas.

 

[Pete_Cambs]

So a little update for everyone as I've had a very useful and informative conversations with BASC East of England firearms support team this morning.

Firstly current wait times - 8 months for a renewal and 18 months for a grant.

He did confirm that BCH should be issuing Section 7 extensions if the initial section 20 is expiring before your renewal is granted however it is a manual process for the section 7 so you will need to contact them and chase as required. he did say that previously they were not issuing them as there had been some mis-information within what is a relatively new and inexperienced team. They may choose not to issue a section 7 if they are unhappy with something on your application and want to further investigate.

The section 7 extension should allow you to continue to hold guns and buy cartridges / rifle ammo but some RFDs may refuse.

In regards to my specific situation with an SGC renewal submitted and then latterly an FAC grant submitted he was pretty confident they would indeed process them together and he was also comfy with my justification for the FAC given I am enrolled on a DSC1 and have 2 dates guided stalking in the diary over the coming months. He also agreed the range conversion course at Cambridge Gun Club was a sensible idea once / if the FAC is granted. What he was worried about is that rather than my FAC being processed with my RGC renewal within the 8 month time frame the SGC renewal will be shunted out with my FAC application into an 18 month wait with them just continuing to issue section 7 extensions (that's if they do indeed even issue me a section 7 to begin with).

He has advised me to send them an email mid March asking for a section 7 to be issued as my section 20 expires at the end of March, he's given me his email address and asked me to CC him so he can apply a poke if required.

So the best case seems to be they issue me a section 7 at the end of March and I get my SGC renewal and FAC granted sorted in June(ish) as that's 8 months from submitting my SGC renewal, worse case its summer 2026 before either of them move!

The section 7 permit would at least save me having to pay to store 8 guns and allow me to keep clay shooting.... At £40 a week for storing them all it would get very expensive very quickly and I'd likely have to sell the bulk of the guns if it was going to drag passed the summer let alone into summer 2026!

What it won't fix is my ability to commit to my pheasant / partridge syndicate next season, whilst I can't see any reason at all I'd be refused the SGC renewal I am also not prepared to take the risk of paying out £1000 plus in deposits only for them to withdraw a section 7 permit or refuse the renewal full stop.

I should have said "but not rifle ammo" when I was referring to what a section 7 permit will allow

 

[M@tt]

I should have said "but not rifle ammo" when I was referring to what a section 7 permit will allow

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.