Charitable Collections

Charitable Street Collections

You will require a street collection permit to carry out a charitable street collection within the East Lindsey District Council area. A copy of our detailed Street Collection Policy can be found on this webpage under Related Documents below.

Collecting money in the street is a good way of raising funds for charity or benevolent purposes. Any organisation wishing to hold a street collection, on the public highway, for charitable purposes must be in possession of a permit at the time the collection takes place.

Unless agreed otherwise by the Council, only one collection may take place on any one day in any one location. Although most organisations prefer to carry out a collection on a Saturday, collections may take place on other days of the week.

Sponsored events / walks do not need to be licensed but 'moving collections' such as carnival processions and events which involve collecting from the public along a route will require a permit.

After the charitable collection has taken place, you will need to complete a return form showing how much money was collected and how it was distributed. A blank return form will be sent to you when your permit is issued, but if you need further forms, they will be supplied on request by the Licensing Team.

There is no fee payable for the issue of a charitable street collection permit.

It is important to remember that the Council's street collection regulations do not permit remuneration to be paid to charitable street collectors.

Skegness: Please note that applications in relation to Skegness should be made direct to Skegness Town Council and not this Authority (https://www.skegness.gov.uk/)

Charitable House to House Collections

A collection, which is conducted from door to door, requires a house to house collection permit. If the Charity holds a Home Office Certificate of Exemption, then you only need to notify us of your intention to collect. A copy of our detailed House to House Collection Policy can be found in Related Documents below.

Collecting money (or donated goods) door to door is a good way of raising funds for charity or benevolent purposes. Any organisation wishing to hold a house to house collection, for charitable or benevolent purposes, must be in possession of a permit at the time the collection takes place.

Please note that there is no charge for a house to house collection permit.

Whereas charitable street collection permits are normally issued to cover a period of one day, a house to house collection permit can be granted for any period up to one year.

As with charitable street collection permits there is a requirement for the promoter of the collection to make a detailed return following the completion of the house to house collection.

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

If you are collecting clothing door-to-door for charity, then in order to determine your permit application we will require the following additional documentation / information:

·       Letter of Authorisation from the Charity Partner to collect goods on their behalf.

·       Copy of the Corporate Agreement between the two organisations (the charity partner and the collector)

·       An example of your projected Income and Expenditure in collecting 1 tonne of clothes.

If you require any further information or advice, please do not hesitate to contact the Licensing Team by email: licensing@e-lindsey.gov.uk

Online applications for a house to house collection permit can be made here: https://www.gov.uk/house-to-house-collection-licence