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Street collections and house-to-house collections

Licences you may need to collect money for charity, how to apply for street collection and house-to-house collection permits. How to report an unauthorised or suspicious collector and how you can complain about a charity collector.

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Public Notice of Collections

All charitable collections that raised over £150, will be available to view as a formal public notice below, these will remain available for view for not less than 28 days from submission, all submissions must be made within 1 calendar month of the collection.

Do I need a licence to collect money for charity?

Yes you do. Any person making an appeal to the public on behalf of a charitable cause, by way of collection in a public space, to give money or other property, will require a permit from the council to do so.

You must apply for either a street collection permit or a house-to-house collection permit.

House-to-house collections are a vital source of funds for many charitable organisations in our community, however they must be carried out efficiently and in compliance with the law.

It is important to make sure the correct permissions are in place before carrying out collections. The licensing team has responsibility for registering and regulating these collections.

Not requiring permission

In the following situations you would not require permission from the council to collect money for charity:

If you are collecting sponsorship you do not require a licence
Direct Debit collectors do not require a licence. This is because they are not collecting cash and the members of the public who sign up can cancel the Direct Debit contract
If you wanted to collect on private land which is undercover, for example, if you wanted to collect in the local pub or in a local supermarket you would not need consent from the council, instead you would need permission from the landlord or manager of the supermarket. You will need a House-to-House licence if you intend to move from pub to pub for example.

What is a street collection?

To make an appeal to the public on behalf of a charitable cause, by way of collection in a public space, to give money or other property, will require a permit from the council.

What is a house-to-house collection?

Collections can involve money, Direct Debit commitments or goods (such as clothing) and may be carried out by volunteers, charity officers, professional fundraisers and commercial participators.

The House-to-House Collections Act 1939 states that a house includes a business, so fundraising pub crawls are covered by the same requirements.

Collections generally take place from door-to-door. Some of the larger well-known charities such as Christian Aid, Help the Aged etc, have a charity commission exemption from having to apply for a licence but by and large most of the smaller, and particularly local groups and organisations need a licence before they can collect money (or articles which they intend to sell later), from door-to-door.

Leaving a static collection tin or receptacle in a house or place of business will not require a licence.

Changes to the Code of Fundraising Practice state that organisations operating house to house bag collections for charitable purposes must not deliver bags to a property that displays a sticker or sign which includes the words ‘no charity bags’, ‘no clothing bags’ or any other words which clearly indicate that the householder does not wish to donate through this method.

When can I apply for a licence to collect?

Street collections

Applications should be made at least one calendar month before the collection date. The Licensing Team can accept applications with less than one months notice in exceptional circumstances.

Street collections are limited to two collections per week in the following areas:

Beverley
Goole
Pocklington
Anlaby
Hessle
Cottingham
Brough
Hedon
Howden
Withernsea
Bridlington town centre.

All other areas of the East Riding will be restricted to one collection per week.

Collections will normally only be permitted on Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays.

National collection days will be permitted.

House-to-house collections

Applications must be made at least one calendar month before the collection date. The Licensing Team can accept applications with less than one months notice in exceptional circumstances.

House-to-house collections will be limited to no more than once per week in each area of the East Riding.

The collection will only be permitted on weekdays.

Please note: if you are granted a permit or licence to collect and do not submit your statement of return within one month of the collection, you will not be granted any more collections until the relevant statement of return is received.

How do I apply for a street collection permit?

Apply online for a street collection permit

To accompany your application as the applicant (promoter) you will need to submit a letter of authority from the charity or charitable cause you are seeking to raise funds on behalf of.

You can submit a hard copy application below:

Street Collection Permit Application (word 56kb)

Street Collection Regulations (word 24kb)

Street Collection Return Form (word 22kb)

Please submit your application direct to the licensing team by post to:

Licensing Team
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
East Yorkshire
HU17 9BA.

or by email licensing@eastriding.gov.uk.

Via one of our customer service centres by using the customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

A tacit consent does not apply to this application as each must be assessed on their own merits and subject to policy limitations.

Following your collection.

Within one calendar month of your collection, you must submit to the licensing authority a formal return of all monies collected/spent and donated. The return must be made on the below template.

Street Collection Return Form (word 22kb)

Public Notice of collection requirement

If you collected £150 or more, you must also submit the public notice proforma below, which will then be advertised on the council webpage above for not less than 28 days following its submission. It must be submitted no later than one calendar month from your approved collection date.

Street Collection Public Notice Proforma (pdf 53kb)

How do I apply for a house-to-house collection licence?

Apply online for a house-to-house collection

To accompany your application as the applicant (promoter) you will need to submit:

a letter of authority from the charity or charitable cause you are seeking to raise funds on behalf of.
a outline of the charitable purposes aims.

You can submit a hard copy application below:

House-to-house Collection Regulations (pdf 101kb)

House-to-house Return Form (word 23kb)

House to House Application (word 101kb)

Please submit your application direct to the licensing team:

By post to:

Licensing Team
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
East Riding of Yorkshire
HU17 9BA.

By email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

Via one of our customer service centres by using the customer service centre finder to locate your nearest centre.

A tacit consent does not apply to this application as each must be assessed on their own merits and subject to policy limitations.

Following your house-to-house collection

A formal financial return must be submitted to the licensing authority within one calendar month of the collection taking place. This should be submitted using the below template.

House-to-house Return Form (word 23kb)

How can I report an unauthorised or suspicious collector?

To report a suspicious charity collector please contact the licensing team by:

Email: licensing@eastriding.gov.uk

In order to investigate your complaint the licensing team will need as much information as possible.

The following information will help us with our investigation:

Name and details charity/collectors
Date and time of collection
Location of collection
Leaflets
Collection bag.

How can I complain about a charity collector?

To complain about a charity collector please contact the licensing team by: