Charitable Collections
Charities and lotteries are licensed to make sure their activities
are legitimate and that all funds are accounted for. Such
activities include the control of street collections and
house-to-house collections.
Street collections
Street collections cannot be undertaken unless prior permission
has been obtained from the Council, which is obtained by
completing the street collections application form. There is
no cost for the issuing of consent but there are rules to be
followed when applying, which are detailed in the Council's
guidance notes.
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.
House to house collections
When a collector going door to door makes a collection of goods
or money, a house to house collection permit is required. Some
charities obtain exemptions from the Home Office when a national
collection is being made. However, as a general rule house to house
collections cannot be undertaken unless prior permission has been
obtained from the Council.
Prior permission can be obtained by completing the house to
house collections application form. There is no cost for the
issuing of consent but there are rules to be followed in
applying.
Collections are usually made by charities. 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 statement of return form will also be sent out to collectors
along with the permit. This form refers to details of the
collection including the amount of money collected. The statement
of return must be completed and returned to the Council within 28
days.
Contact us
For further information, or to request an application pack for
any charitable collection, please contact the Licensing
Service.
Online: complete the
Licensing Enquiry Form
Tel: 01695 577177
Email: licensing.enquiries@westlancs.gov.uk