Street Collections

Under the Police, Factories, & c. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 promoters of charitable collections which take place in the street in the Torridge area must obtain a Street Collection permit from the council.

Overview

Street collections involve collecting money (or selling articles) for a charitable purpose in a street or public place.The definition of 'street' is wide and includes any highway, public bridge, road, lane, footway, square, court, alley or passage.

Street collections may take place on their own or in conjunction with an event or procession in the street.

We operate a diary booking system for collections and the Council has a policy of allowing only one collection within the same town on the same day.

Carrying Out Collections

You must comply with the Street Collection Regulations (PDF, 68 KB)(opens in new tab)

Any organisation carrying out a street collection must abide by the code of fundraising practice and its associated rule book published by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF).

Within one month of the date of any collection the applicant must submit to the Council a financial return, a return form will be provided with the permit.

Apply

There is no fee payable for a Street collection permit, but you must give us at least 28 days' notice of any collection.

We recommend that you contact us before submitting an application to check that the requested date(s) are available.

Apply now
on Customer Self Service

If you don't want to apply online, you can download an application form (PDF, 201 KB) to complete, and send it back to us.

Refused Applications

You have the right to appeal to the Minister for the Cabinet Office if your application is refused.

Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the refusal.

Customer Complaint

If you have a complaint about a street collection, please try to resolve this direct with the collecting organisation in the first instance. If you are unable to resolve the situation, please put your complaint in writing to the Licensing Team.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association direct.

Contact Details for Licensing Team

Email: licensing@torridge.gov.uk

Telephone: 01237 428700

Post: Licensing Team, Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford, EX39 2QG