Part of the issue is down to a simple numbers game. There are currently more applications in than there are staff to process them in reasonable time and this seems endemic across the country. Having just recently moved, I advised my licensing department of my new address weeks ago and had my gun cabs in on day 1. I was contacted a few days back and advised that they're a little short staffed with people off work and it could be quite a wait until my inspection is done and my certs updated with the new address. I expect it could be months. Whilst I still have the certs, technically I shouldn't use them to buy ammunition with as the address is not current. They have amended their records to ensure I'm legal for ownership and storage but I still need new certs issued.
There seems a reluctance amongst authorities to up budgets enough to put a couple of extra FEOs on the payrole, as they have capped budgets for these departments. I would imagine that there is a decent pool of knowledgeable people out there who would apply for the roles if they come up, but glancing at the vacancies pages randomly across forces, there seems precious little in the way of opportunities. If these things cannot be processed in reasonable time, then the PCC's are there to be petitioned to put pressure on the authorities to up budgets accordingly as 12 months wait, or even a 6 month wait is in no one's interests and whilst waits are this long, the waiting list and waiting times only grow further. The guys working in the licensing departments seem rushed off their feet and heaping pressure on them further won't do anyone any good. I reckon they're doing the best job that they can given their very limited resources.