Street collection permit

If you wish to collect money or sell items in any street or public place for charitable purposes within the Sheffield City boundary, then you must obtain a street collection permit from us.

Direct Debit fundraising in the City Centre

Direct Debit fundraisers on the street do not need a permit from us. This is because they seek a promise to pay at a future date rather than asking for money directly. We have a Site Management Agreement with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising to control the volume and frequency of Direct Debit fundraising within the City Centre.

Charities who wish to collect Direct Debit details in the City Centre need to email citycentre.management@sheffield.gov.uk to request permission.

For queries and advice on regulations please refer to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising website.

Where you will need to use a permit

You will need a permit for any collections on:

• highways
• public bridges
• roads, lanes, footways, squares, courts, alleys or passageways, whether a thoroughfare or not

Who can apply for a street collection permit

Anyone wishing to collect money or other items for a charitable purpose may apply for a permit.

If you want to undertake a street collection, you must first contact us to establish whether the area you want to collect in, and the date you would like to do so, is available.

A large number of charities use public spaces to make charitable collections and it is our policy to allow only one collection in a location at any one time. The fairest way to coordinate this is on a first come first served basis.

If any person is assisting you in the collection, they can only do so with the written authorisation of the promoter. No person under the age of 16 years is permitted to act as a collector.

We must receive an application form at least 28 days prior to the required collection date before we can book the area for you. Provisional bookings cannot be taken.

Cost

There is no charge for a street collection permit.

Apply by post or submit a return for money collected statement by post

You can download and print the application form and send it to us by post.

What you need to provide with your application

You should submit the following:

• a letter of authority from the charity, which states that you have been authorised to do the charity work

What happens once you have made an application

On receipt of your application we will consult with South Yorkshire Police and make such other enquiries as we think fit.

We will consider:

• any 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

If there are no issues we will issue you a permit as soon as possible.

If there are any issues, a public hearing will be held to determine your application. You will be notified in writing when the hearing will be.

Tacit consent will not apply

You cannot assume your application has been granted if you have not heard from us. It is in the public interest that we process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within 28 days you should contact us.

Apply online for a street collection permit or submit a return for money collected

Apply online for a permit or submit a return for money collected.

How to make an appeal or a complaint

There is no statutory right of appeal against the refusal of a street collection permit. Should you wish to challenge our decision you will have to apply to the High Court for a review of the decision.

If you want to make a complaint about a collection taking place you should contact us for advice.