Consultation response
Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement Policy: Consultation Response
This response sets out our position in relation to the consultation around proposed changes to our Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
Contents
- Executive summary
- Introduction
- Summary of responses - Licensing changes
- - Proposal 1: Policy position in relation to dual regulation products
- - Proposal 2: Changes to complete applications
- - Proposal 3: Clarification of relevant persons
- - Proposal 4: Timescale for using licence
- - Proposal 5: Clarification of suitability criteria
- - Proposal 6: Clarification of financing arrangements
- - Proposal 7: Addition of new examples to update the Commission about
- - Proposal 8: Minor updates to reflect minor changes to processes in the policy
- Summary of responses - Compliance changes
- - Proposal 9: Remote assessments
- - Proposal 10: Assessment framework
- - Proposal 11: Special Measures
- Summary of responses - Enforcement changes
Proposal 14: Suspension
Proposal
Updated paragraph 5.27
The Commission has the power to suspend a licence on deciding to conduct a review or during a review if the Commission suspects that:
- a licensed activity is being or has been carried on in a manner which is inconsistent with the licensing objectives
- a condition of the licence has been breached
- a licensee has failed to cooperate with a review, or
- the licensee is unsuitable to carry on the licensed activities.
A licensee who wishes to challenge an interim suspension may seek a hearing before a Regulatory Panel of Commissioners. In such a case, the Commission will list the matter for hearing as soon as reasonably practicable.
Consultation question
- Q18. To what extent do you agree with the amended paragraph?
Respondents’ views
The majority of respondents agreed with the proposed amendment. Respondents’ comments related to:
- ensuring any sanctions are proportionate to non-compliance
- affording an opportunity for remedial action prior the point of suspension particularly where there has been limited investigation
- providing greater clarity on whether the suspension remains in force if challenged
- the challenges of appealing a decision to officials when officials made the initial suspension decision
- the perceived lack of industry experience on the Commission’s Board
- the need to further clarify ‘as soon as reasonably practicable’ recognising time is of the essence
- the Commission should be clear and provide information on what failings could lead to a suspension
The respondents who supported the change indicated this would be a generous and reasonable addition.
Our position
The Commission recognises the significant impact suspensions have on licensees and undertakes such action only when there is a reasonably held belief that this is the only action which will appropriately mitigate the alleged breaches whilst further enquiries are undertaken.
We recognise the need to engage at an early point and will work to ensure that if suspension is believed to be required, we will engage with the licensee initially. Should those efforts not yield the results we expect then suspension will follow its procedural route. Where such a decision is challenged it would be before different officials and as such we will continue with the amendment. Commissioners are not employees of the Commission and afford a layer of separation from officials which will help act as a safeguard to test our decision making.
Proposal 13: Financial penalties Next section
Proposal 15: Regulatory settlements
Last updated: 22 June 2022
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