Firearms Licensing Independent Advisory Group meeting minutes - 5 March 2026

Please see below the Firearms Licensing Independent Advisory Group meeting minutes for 5 March 2026:

1. Welcome and introductions

The Chair opened the meeting and confirmed that it was being recorded for the purposes of minute‑taking.

Attendees introduced themselves. Apologies were noted from one member

2. Purpose of the Independent Advisory Group

The Chair reiterated the purpose of the FEL IAG as an advisory forum to provide informed advice to policing on firearms licensing policy, practice, and delivery.

Discussion confirmed:

• The IAG provides advice and perspective but does not make licensing decisions.
• Where advice is not adopted, policing should provide feedback and rationale.
• Formal scrutiny of policing remains the responsibility of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).

The group acknowledged the distinction between advisory input and formal scrutiny.

3. Terms of Reference (ToR)

3.1 Review of Terms of Reference

Members confirmed they had reviewed the draft Terms of Reference.

Key points discussed:

• The ToR was considered to adequately cover purpose, scope, membership, authority, and responsibilities.
• It was noted that the ToR encompasses related items including membership and role clarity.
• Members recognised the group is still developing and that the ToR may evolve over time.

Outcome

General agreement that the ToR is acceptable at this stage, subject to periodic review.

4. Scope of the Group

Discussion focused on what falls within, and outside, the scope of the IAG.

Agreed principles:

• The IAG should focus on themes, trends, policy development, anonymised case examples, and aggregate data.
• The group should not handle individual live cases in detail.
• High‑level data (e.g. appeals, refusals, revocations by category) was identified as valuable for future discussion.

The Chair confirmed openness to bringing anonymised and illustrative case examples to future meetings to support learning and discussion.

5. Advisory Role, Accountability and Scrutiny

Members raised concerns about historic accountability and delays in addressing firearms licensing issues.

The Chair clarified:

• The IAG is advisory in nature.
• Scrutiny mechanisms sit outside the IAG and operate through PCC governance structures.
• Introducing formal scrutiny into the IAG could risk politicising discussions and limiting open dialogue.

The group acknowledged these constraints while noting ongoing interest in transparency and feedback.

6. Membership composition

Discussion considered whether the current membership reflects an appropriate balance.

Points noted:

• Current membership is largely drawn from shooting, licensing, and countryside stakeholder groups.
• Other forces’ IAGs include a broader range of perspectives, including non‑shooting and public‑interest representatives.
• Any changes to membership should be considered carefully to maintain constructive dialogue.

Outcome

Chair and Vice Chair agreed to take the decision making outside of the meeting and report back to the group.

7. Firearms Licensing performance update

Senior firearms licensing leadership provided a detailed update covering:

• Current backlog position
• Significant uplift in staffing
• Introduction of new governance and oversight arrangements following HMICFRS inspection
• Risk‑based prioritisation, with renewals prioritised over grants
• Improvements to internal systems, quality assurance, and training

It was emphasised that:

• Progress is being made, but
• It is not yet possible to provide firm timelines for grants and renewals until productivity with the expanded workforce is fully understood.

Members raised the real‑world impacts of delays, particularly on employment, business operations, and junior shooters. These concerns were acknowledged.

8. Communication improvements

The group was informed of recent improvements to public communication:

• A dedicated firearms licensing phone line has been reintroduced on a limited basis (10:00–12:00, weekdays).
• The phone line is intended for advice and not enquiries regarding timeliness of application.
• Members were encouraged to continue promoting use of Single Online Home and email for routine updates and notifications.

It was confirmed that:

• All correspondence is read and triaged.
• Resources must be balanced between responding to enquiries and processing applications.

9. Future ways of working

The Chair proposed a more flexible approach to gathering advice, including:

• Circulating draft policies or SOPs between meetings for written feedback
• Using meetings for discussion of key themes rather than detailed document review

The group supported this approach.

It was also confirmed that:

• The IAG will continue to meet on a hybrid basis
• The next meeting will be held virtually

10. Any other business

Items raised included:

• Handling and storage of explosives when licences expire
• National developments relating to firearms legislation and systems
• Ongoing work at national level on appeals data and research themes

These items were noted for awareness.

11. Date of next meeting

A virtual IAG meeting will be arranged approximately three months from this meeting. Details to be confirmed by email.