Charitable street collections licence

Under the Police, Factories etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 any organisation or person wishing to hold a street collection for a charitable purpose must be in possession of a permit at the time the collection takes place.

You only need a street collection licence to collect money or sell articles for the benefit of charitable or other purposes. You don't need a licence for Direct Debit pledges, although you may require permission from the Police or another council department.

We will only grant licences where we're satisfied that applicants are fit and proper persons to make such collections.

Please note that any person applying for a street collection licence to collect within Barnsley town centre must obtain permission from our town centre services team. Email the town centre services team at towncentre@barnsley.gov.uk.

How to apply

Please provide proof of identification together with any authorisation from the charity who is to benefit.

You can apply by sending your street collection application form and any accompanying documents via email to licensing@barnsley.gov.uk. 

You can also apply by post by sending your application and any accompanying documents. Please send these to: Barnsley Council, Licensing, Legal Services, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG. 

What happens next

Upon receipt of an application consultation takes place with the police and, in certain cases, the charity commissioners. We aim to process applications within 14 days.

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

Tacit consent

If you have 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.

The timescales for processing an application does not start until all the necessary information has been received in full.

Tacit consent is only apply for applications that are submitted electronically via the GOV.UK website or when the applicant can show proof of delivery from a post office or recognised courier.

Please provide proof of identification together with any authorisation from the charity who is to benefit.

Collections from public houses

A licence is required for collections from public houses where money is involved. However, if receptacles are left at a number of public houses and collected at a later date, no licence is needed.

Further information

For more information about street collections please read our guidelines and regulations below: