It is illegal in this country to hold a Street Collection to
collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or
other purposes without obtaining a Street Collection Licence from
the Council if that collection is to be held 'in a street or public
place'. A 'public place' is a 'place where the public has
access'.
It is often assumed that collections can be held in shop doorways
or car parks do not need a Street Collection Licence because they
are being held on 'privately owned land'. This is not true, as the
legislation does not mention the ownership of the land or treat
collections on 'privately owned land' as exempt from the licensing
regulations. A shop doorway or carpark, when that shop is open for
trading, is a 'public place' because the public has access at that
time. No other licence would be valid. A Pedlars Licence, issued by
the Police cannot be used for this purpose. Only Local Authorities
issue Street Collection Licences under Section 5 of the Police,
Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1916, as amended by
the Local Government Act 1972 and Schedule 29 of that Act.
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 and 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 where you can also obtain
an application form and a copy of our standard conditions.
Alternatively:
A return form must be completed following the collection and
returned to the Council. This form will be sent to you once your
application form has been received.
Upon request we can e-mail a copy of your approved licence to
you.
For further information use the contact details below:
E-mail:
licensing@waveney.gov.uk
Telephone: 01502 523620
Fax: 01502 589327
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