Charitable house-to-house collections licence

You will need a licence from us to make collections of money or clothing and bric-a-brac for charity from houses and other premises. There is no charge for this licence.

This includes collections from public houses. However, if items for collection are left at a number of public houses and collected at a later date, no licence is needed.

Licences can be issued for a period of no longer than twelve months.

You don't need a house to house collection licence when collecting Direct Debit pledges. This is data and not money or other property as defined in the House to House Collections Act 1939.

How to apply

To apply for a house-to-house collections licence you must send us the following documentation:

• Complete our charitable license application form in the name of the collecting company (not the charity name – unless the charity is the collector). You will need a current version of Adobe Reader to use this form. If you need support accessing the form email the Licensing team at licensing@barnsley.gov.uk. 
• Provide information about the organisation including the objectives of the charitable cause. Where the collection is for a local cause, full details of that cause or event.
• Copy of published profit/loss accounts for the last two years for the collecting company clearly showing:
  • the total amounts collected;
  • the amount and percentage of total collection/s going to charity;
  • sundry/general expenses;
  • money for wages, fuels, printing, bags, etc.;
• Copy of statement of accounts from the last three or four collections carried out (including collections held in other Licensing Authority areas);
• Letter from the charitable organisation authorising you to undertake a collection on their behalf, if you are not an official of the organisation;
• An agreement or contract details with any registered charity or individual benefiting from this collection;
• A copy of the leaflet or bag showing the collectors and charities name. This should adhere to the Advertising Standards Agency guidelines;
• You should consult our charitable house to house guidelines before making your application.

Your application and supplementary documents should be submitted as attachments to an email to licensing@barnsley.gov.uk.

Alternatively you can submit your application and supplementary documents to: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Licensing, Legal Services, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG.

Fees

There is no prescribed fee for a house-to-house collection licence.

What happens next

After we've received the application, a consultation takes place with the police and in certain cases the charity commissioners. We aim to process applications within 14 days.

You will only be granted a licence if we are satisfied that you are the fit and proper individual to make such collections.

You may be contacted by a licensing officer if there are any queries regarding the documentation submitted.

Returns

A statement of return must be submitted within 30 days of the expiry of this licence. If your licence is for a period of greater than three months, a statement of return must be submitted, ideally after each collection, but at least once every three months.

You will only be granted a licence if we are satisfied that you are the fit and proper individual to make such collections.

This should be completed and returned to us via email at licensing@barnsley.gov.uk.

Tacit consent

If you've not heard from us by the end of the target completion period of 20 working days you can assume 'tacit consent' to carry out the activities.

Please note, however, that the timescales for processing an application does not start until all the necessary information has been received in full.

Tacit consent only applies for applications that are submitted electronically or when the applicant can show proof of delivery from a post office or recognised courier. 

Additional information

House-to-house collection licences are issued under the House to House Collections Act 1939.

Advice and guidance is available from the Fundraising Regulator and Charity Commission.

Complaints against a collector

If you have a complaint against a collector please contact licensing@barnsley.gov.uk in the first instance. We will try to assist you or direct you the most appropriate organisation.