Charitable Collections (Street and House-to-House)
Charitable Collections Policy
- |Street Collection and House-to-House Collection Policies
- |Olympic Games Cycle Road Races - exceptional arrangements for Street Collections
Street Collections
A street collection permit is required for any collection in a public place. This includes collections which may take place on private land, accessed by the public. As well as obtaining a permit you may also need to obtain permission from the land owner to collect on private property. One example of this may be a collection in a supermarket doorway.
Charities wishing to make a street collection within Elmbridge must be registered with the Council and have a permit issued for the date of their collection.
We will not usually issue permits for two charities to collect in the same location on a given date.
There is no fee associated with registration.
All registered charities need to make a return after each collection to show how much money was raised and the amount taken up by expenses.
|Street Collection and House-to-House Collection Policies
Public Register
|List of all permits currently issued for Street Collections
How to Apply for a Permit
Use the application forms below to apply for a permit or submit a return. This can either be done online |
or if you prefer, download a | PDF version to complete and return by post.
- |Street collection regulations - when is a permit required
- |Street collection application form - complete and submit online
- |Street collection guidance notes
- |Street collection application form - download, complete and return
- |Street collection return form - download, complete and return
House-to-House Collections
Collections made by means of visits from house to house are governed by the House to House collections Act, 1939, and the |House to House collections Regulations, 1947 (as amended). The legal definition of 'collection' is an appeal to the public, made by means of visits from house to house, to give, whether for consideration or not, money or other property. This means that collections e.g clothing and direct debit fund raising, will also need to be licensed. The term 'house' includes a place of business.
It is important for organisers of collections to understand their obligations as the Act and Regulations prescribe fines and/or imprisonment for offences.
Certificate of Authority and Collector's Badge
The law requires that every collector must be issued with a Certificate of Authority and a collector's badge by the promoter of the collection. The certificate and badges (which are now incorporated into a single green badge) are obtained from '|The Stationery Office (TSO)'. Once the Council has issued a licence the promoter must post the original licence (not a copy) to TSO with a covering letter and appropriate payment (we recommend that you keep a copy of your licence before posting it).
The address for The Stationery Office is: TSO, PO Box 29, Norwich NR9 1GN
TSO will then send you the number of badges authorised by the Council issuing the licence. The cost of badges (with certificate) and post and packing is available from |TSO Shop website.
Collectors must sign their badge and wear it prominently when collecting. They must be returned to the promoter of the collection once the collection is finished.
Exemptions
There are two exemptions from licensing under the Act. The first is where the collection is local and the police are satisfied it will be carried out within a short period of time and the other is where an exemption certificate is issued by the Secretary of State, usually to a national charity.
Please note: Those with exemptions are required to notify the licensing authority of the exemption and the location and dates of their house to house collection.
There is no fee associated with registration.
Once a collection has finished, a return or Statements of Income and Expenditure is required within four weeks of the collection taking place.
Further information
- |Street Collection and House-to-House Collection Policies
- Public Register - |List of all permits currently issued for House-to-House Collections
Charity Commission
How to Apply for a Permit
Use the application forms below to apply for a permit or submit a return. This can either be done online | or if you prefer, download a | PDF version to complete and return by post.
- |House-to-House collection guidance notes - when is a permit required
- |Online House-to-House collection application form - complete and submit online
- |House-to-House collection application form - download, complete and return
- |House-to-House collection return form - download, complete and return
