Street Collections
Street collections are covered by regulations made under The Police, Factories, & c. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916.
General principles
- Applicants for a street collection permit must be charitable institutions benefiting residents of the district. A charitable institution is a charity (registered or unregistered), or voluntary organisation established for purposes which may not be strictly charitable in law, but which are philanthropic or benevolent.
- Applications are granted on a first come, first served basis. An application will not be considered until the application is complete.
- No more than three collections per charitable organisation per calendar year will be allowed.
- Collections can take place on any day of the week including public holidays.
- Only one collection will be permitted at any one time in any one particular area.
- Collections will generally be restricted to three people taking part in the collection, except in exceptional circumstances.
- The use of tables, stalls, vehicles and other displays will not be permitted unless this is part of a separate activity approved the Council.
Application requirements
- An application for a street collection permit must be made to the Council on the prescribed application form no later than one month before the proposed collection date. The application period of one month may be reduced if there are special reasons for doing so, for example, to collect funds for a national or international emergency.
- Applications cannot be made more than twelve calendar months before the date of the proposed collection.
- If the location is on private land, for example the Three Spires Shopping Centre, permission must be obtained from the landowner. This must be secured before an application for a street collection permit can be made.
- Where the application is on behalf of a registered charity a letter of authority is required, and this must accompany the application form.
Reasons for refusal
Applications will be considered by the Council against the general principles above and the Council will either:
- Issue a permit specifying the requested date and location; or
- Refuse to issue a permit. The reasons for refusal will be communicated to the applicant.
Reasons for refusal:
- The applicant fails to demonstrate evidence of charitable status or the charitable nature of the organisation,
- The applicant has previously been issued a street collection permit and failed to submit the required return,
- The applicant has previously been issued a street collection permit that has been the subject of complaints about harassment or obstruction,
- To limit the number of collections in accordance with this policy,
- The applicant has previously been issued a street collection permit and breached the regulations or the conditions of the permit.
There is no formal right of appeal against any decision made by the Council to grant or refuse an application for a street collection permit, other than by way of Judicial Review. However, in the interest of fairness an applicant may request that a decision to refuse is reviewed by the head of service. They should do so by emailing licensing@lichfielddc.gov.uk.
Post collection
Within one month after the date of any collection or sale the person responsible for the collection must complete a statement in the prescribed form as shown on our website. This form will detail the amount received and any expenses incurred as a result of the collection.
The statement must be certified by the auditor or by some independent responsible person.
Offences
Any person who acts in contravention of any the regulations shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.