Overview
The collection of money, goods or sale of articles for the benefit of charitable purposes in any street or public place (public houses require a House to House Collection Licence) must have a permit from the council whose area you wish to collect in. It is an offence to hold a collection without one.
There are two types of permits:
Street collection
You need a permit from us to carry out charitable street collections. With this permit and fund-raising work we will need to know how much is raised and where the money is going.
These permits are granted in accordance with the Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916. Failure to comply with these requirements is an offence, which means that you could be prosecuted in the Magistrates Court. This may jeopardise any future requests for Street Collection Permits.
House to house collection
You need a licence from us to carry out house-to-house collections, this includes business to business and collections in public houses (including flower sellers).
Certain collections are exempt, such as those organised on a national basis by large charities, but otherwise a local permit is necessary.
These licences are granted in accordance with the House to House Collections Act 1939.
Promoting or undertaking a house-to-house collection without a permit is an offence, failure to comply with these requirements is an offence which means that you could be prosecuted in the Magistrates Court. This may jeopardise any future requests for House-to-House Collection Licences.