Street Collections Guidance Notes

In general, the Council permits one collection per organisation per year.

What do I do if a collection is cancelled?

If the collection is cancelled in advance, for example due to lack of volunteers, we request that the council be notified. The issued permit should be returned to us so that we may issue another permit for the vacated date. In this case, no further paperwork relating to this collection will be required.

If the Licensing Team does not receive notification of cancellation or if the collection does not take place due to unforeseen circumstances, like bad weather, a statement of form needs to be returned. This should be returned within one month of the cancelled collection date, showing 'nil' entries. Please also include a short covering letter explaining the reasons for the cancellation.

Who can take part in the collection?

No person may assist or take part in any collection without the written authority of the promoter. This person shall produce such written authority for inspection on being requested to do so by a duly authorised officer of the licensing authority or any constable.

No promoter, collector or person who is otherwise connected with a collection shall permit a person under the age of sixteen years to act as a collector.

No collection shall be made in a manner likely to inconvenience or annoy any person.

No collector shall importune any person to the annoyance of such person.

Unless consent has been given by the business owner/manager, collectors should not obstruct the entranceway to shops and other businesses.

What receptacle can I use for the collection?

Every collector shall carry a collecting box.

All collecting boxes shall be numbered consecutively and shall be securely closed and sealed in such a way as to prevent them being opened without the seal being broken.

All money received by a collector from contributors shall immediately be placed in a collecting box.

Every collector shall deliver, unopened, all collecting boxes in his/her possession to a promoter.

A collector shall not carry or use any collecting box, receptacle or tray which does not display prominently the name of the charity or fund which is to benefit nor any collecting box which is not numbered.