A local authority notice to suspend, vary or revoke a licence must be delivered either:
in person
by leaving it at or sending it by post to the person’s current or last known postal address
by emailing it to the person’s current or last known email address
Licence holder representation When the licence holder is issued the notice they’ll have 7 working days to make written representation. Local authority response to representation Upon receipt of this, local authorities must decide either of the following:
Continue with the licence suspension, variation or revocation
Cancel the decision to make changes to the licence
If the licence has been altered to protect the welfare of an animal then you must indicate that this is the reason and whether the change is still in effect. If you do not reply to the licence holder’s representation within 7 working days of receipt, then the initial decision made is considered overturned. This is also the case if a licence which is initially suspended has no further action taken on it within 28 days. Licence suspension and animal welfare The business will not be able to trade once the suspension of a licence has come into effect. If a licence is suspended for a significant period of time then it is the local authority’s responsibility to make sure the business’s animals are looked after and their welfare is met. Licence holder appeals The licence holder can appeal to a first tier tribunal if they do not agree with the decision made by the local authority. This must be done within 28 days of the decision. The business cannot trade again until the decision is overturned by either:
the local authority upon being satisfied that licence conditions are being met
the first-tier tribunal who may decide the local authority’s decision was incorrect