Permit summary
To run a group or organisation that makes public street collections for charitable purposes you need a permit for the collection from your local authority.
In Yeovil Town, the administration of permits is the responsibility of Yeovil Town Council. In other parts of South Somerset, permits are dealt with by South Somerset District Council.
Eligibility Criteria
1. No collection, other than a collection taken at a meeting in the open air, shall be made in any street or public place within Yeovil Town unless a promoter shall have obtained from the Town Council a permit.
2. Application for a permit shall be made in writing not later than one month before the date on which it is proposed to make the collection.
3. No collection shall be made except upon the day and between the hours stated in the permit.
4. The Town Council may, in granting a permit, limit the collection to such streets or public places or such parts thereof as it thinks fit.
5. No person may assist or take part in any collection without the written authority of a promoter.
6. Any person authorised under paragraph above shall produce such written authority forthwith for inspection on being requested to do so by a duly authorised officer of the Town Council or any constable.
7. No collection shall be made in a manner likely to inconvenience or annoy any person.
8. Whilst collecting:
(a) a collector shall remain stationary
(b) a collector or two collectors together shall not be nearer to another collector than 25 metres.
9. No promoter shall permit a person under the age of sixteen years to act as a collector.
10. Every collector shall carry a collecting box.
11. Within one month after the date of any collection the person to whom a person has been granted shall forward to the Town Council:
(a) a statement in the form set out in the Schedule to these Regulations or in a form to the like effect showing the amount received and the expenses and payments incurred in connection with such a collection and certified by that person. Please see link below to "Notify us of the result of a street collection".
(b) a list of collectors
(c) a list of the amounts contained in each collecting box.
Regulation Summary
All street collections need to be licensed by the local authority in pursuance of Section 5 of the Police, Factories etc (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 1916 as amended by the Local Government Act 1972.
A summary of eligibility criteria for this permit
Application Evaluation Process
The Local Authority shall consult the chief constable for the area and make such other inquiries as they think fit.
The Local Authority will consider:
- public inconvenience
- other collections taking place
- the amount of money to be given to charity against the likely proceeds of the collection
- any convictions of the organiser
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this online here if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.
Apply online
Apply to run a street collection in Yeovil Town by clicking on the following weblink:
Charitable Street Collection Application Form
Notify us of the result of a street collection by clicking on the following weblink:
Return Form for Street Collections
Failed Application Redress
Please contact:
The Town Clerk
Yeovil Town Council
Town House
19 Union Street
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 1PQ
Telephone: 01935 382424
e-mail: [email protected]
There is no statutory right of appeal against the refusal of a street collection permit. The only way the decision could be challenged is by an application to the High Court for a review of the decision.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress
Should you find another organisation collecting in a street for which you have been given a permit, please contact the Licensing/IT Administrator on 01935 382424 or [email protected]
Trade Associations
Charities Commission
Yeovil Town Council do not take any responsibility for the content and accuracy of the information contained on websites over which they do not have total control.