Licensing and permits

Animal activity licence star rating system

The government's star ratings system will determine the length of your licence and star rating.

It considers whether the business is considered to be high or low risk and the levels of compliance found during the inspection of your premises.

If a business implements additional higher voluntary standards, you can achieve a star rating of four or five.

A rating below three does not necessarily mean that standards are poor. For example, a new business with fewer than three years trading history that complies with all mandatory standards would receive a rating of two, whereas an identical business with three or more years trading history would receive a rating of three.

Star rating system
Risk Welfare standards
  Minor failings
(existing businesses failing to meet minimum standards)		 Minimum standards (as laid down in the schedules and guidance) Higher standards (as laid down in the guidance)
Low risk 1 star: 1 year licence with a minimum 1 unannounced visit within 12 months 3 star: 2 year licence with a minimum of 1 unannounced visit within 24 months 5 star: 3 year licence with a minimum of 1 unannounced visit within 36 months
High risk 1 star: 1 year licence with a minimum 1 unannounced visit within 12 months 2 star: 1 year licence with a minimum of 1 unannounced visit within 12 months 4 star: 2 year licence with a minimum of 1 unannounced visit within 24 months

Appeals

If you feel that your rating is unfair and not in accordance with government guidance, you can appeal within 21 days of being informed of your rating.

You can appeal in writing about why you believe that the rating is incorrect by emailing environmental.health@liverpool.gov.uk or by post to Licensing and Regulatory Services, Liverpool City Council, Cunard Building, Water Street, L3 1AH.

Re-rating

If your standards have improved you can have your star rating reassessed.

A reinspection applies where a business with a rating of 1 to 4 has accepted their rating, but have made improvements to address non-compliance issues that were noted during the initial inspection.

Download, complete and return the re-rating application form below and we will contact you to let you know the fee. The licence fees for reassessing star ratings range from £60 to £140 depending on whether we need to inspect the premises or not.