Commentary on Sections Part 4.Special Procedures Section 78 - Special procedure licences: licence holder remedial action notices
155.If a local authority becomes aware that a licence holder is breaching an applicable mandatory licensing condition, it may issue the licence holder with a remedial action notice. This must specify the matters giving rise to the breach and the steps that the licence holder must take to secure compliance with the applicable mandatory licensing conditions. If the authority is satisfied that the breach of the mandatory licensing condition presents, or could present, significant risk of harm to human health, the notice may also prohibit the performance of a special procedure until the steps specified in the notice have been taken. The prohibition may relate to the performance of the special procedure in an area of Wales (for example the local authority’s area) or may extend to all of Wales.
156.The notice must specify the compliance period (which must not be less than 14 days) within which the licence holder should take the steps specified in it. If the local authority is satisfied that the steps specified in the notice have been taken, it must issue the licence holder with a completion certificate to discharge the notice, as required by section 80.
157.The remedial action notice must also provide details of the licence holder’s right to appeal to the magistrates’ court against the local authority’s decision.
158.Whilst contravention of the remedial action notice is an offence (as provided by section 82(5)) and is punishable by an unlimited fine, the local authority must not begin proceedings against the licence holder until the compliance period has expired. If the licence holder takes the steps specified in the notice within the compliance period, no proceedings for an offence can be taken by the local authority. The local authority will, however, be able to undertake proceedings if the licence holder continues to practice a special procedure despite the prohibition placed upon their practice. In addition to the remedial action notice, the local authority may also revoke a special procedure licence if the licence holder fails to comply with an applicable mandatory licensing condition.