Permission must be granted by the local authority before a street or house to house collection can take place.
Application should be made to the local authority no later than the first day of the month before the collection is due to take place. This requirement applies to all organisations that collect from a street or a public highway. No fee is payable for these permits.
House to House Collections
Whereas street collection permits are normally issued to cover a period of one or two days, a house to house collection permit can be granted for any period up to one year. Collections generally take place from door to door or from one public house to another. With regard to vetting and checking to ascertain whether the organisation applying is genuine or not, the same procedures apply as for street collections.
Some of the larger well-known national charities have a Charity Commission exemption from having to apply for a permit, but most local groups and organisations need a permit before they can collect money (or articles which they intend to sell later), from door to door.
A returns form must be completed following the collection which requires you to submit financial information regarding the collection and this must be returned to us. This form will be sent to you once your application form has been received.
Unlike street collections, there is a statutory right of appeal against the refusal to grant a house to house collection permit. In this case, the right of appeal is to the Secretary of State, and the grounds for refusal are set out in the Act itself.
A copy of the House to House Collections Act 1939 can be viewed at the Council Offices.
Apply by post
Apply online
Street collections
If you wish to hold a street collection to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes you will require a permit if that collection is to be held 'in a street or public place'. A 'public place' is a 'place where the public has access'.
There is no cost for the issuing of consent, but there are rules to be followed in applying. Street Collections are usually made by Charities. Collections usually take place in a town centre on busy shopping days. Money is collected in tins. There are regulations which govern this type of collection. Consents are restricted to enable charities to raise money without their collections clashing with those of other charities.
The purpose of the legal requirement to obtain consent is to ensure collectors are properly authorised, that money is collected in a secure way, and the total proceeds collected are properly accounted for.
A copy of the Police, factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1916) can be viewed at the Council Offices.
A returns form must be completed following the collection which requires you to submit financial information regarding the collection and this must be returned to us. This form will be sent to you once your application form has been received.
Apply by post
Apply online
