Agenda item

Consideration of the Draft Charitable Street and House to House Collections Policies (report of the Head of Public Protection enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Public Protection which asked the Panel to consider the Draft Charitable Street Collections Policy and the Draft House to House Collections Policy.

The Public Protection Manager introduced the draft report which formalised local requirements and expectations around the application, issue and enforcement of permits under the Police, Factories, etc (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916; and the House to House Collections Act 1939.

Appendix A detailed the Charitable Street Collections Policy; and Appendix B detailed the Charitable House to House Collections Policy.

The policies were presented to the Policy Development Panel for consideration during the consultation process and would subsequently move forward to the 24 November 2022 meeting of the Licensing Committee for approval and implementation.

The Panel considered the policies, and the following comments were made:

• Members welcomed the policies and thanked the Public Protection Manager and team for their work.
• Members referred to section 5 of Appendix B which outlined the ‘Reasons for Refusal’ for the granting of a charity collection permit and queried how the Council would establish excessive remuneration as stated in point 2. Would the submission of records be required?
  • The Public Protection Manager responded that:
    • a 10 per cent retention of donations was deemed an acceptable allocation for charities to cover their collection expenses;
    • charities were expected to submit a declaration of anticipated expenses ahead of the collection;
    • repeat collectors could provide a financial return which declared the value retained after the collection had taken place;
    • charitable organisations wishing to retain a much higher value than 10 per cent of donations may not be granted a permit on the basis that this would likely exceed the expectations of the donor;

• Some Members stated a dislike for House to House Collections but acknowledged that the policy was required.

• Members asked whether licences would be refused/revoked where charities repeatedly ignored ‘no cold callers’ signage.
  • The Public Protection Manager confirmed that this option would be explored, and the outcome reported to the Licensing Committee on 24 November 2022 when the policies were due to come forward.

• Members who were on the Licensing Committee asked for a list of charities that had applied for permits within the last year.
  • The Public Protection Manager responded that a Public Register would be instated which listed all charities that had applied. A list of charities that had applied within the last 12 months would be shared with members who were on the Licensing Committee.

• Members asked how the requirement of adherence to the policies would be communicated to charities; and what course of action would be taken to encourage compliance should collection activity be reported where a permit had not been sought/granted.
  • The Public Protection Manager responded that:
    • the policies would be published on the Council’s website;
    • complaints would be investigated;
    • a flouting of policy could affect future applications; and
    • ultimately, the Council possessed the power of prosecution.

AGREED:

a)    That the comments of the Panel be noted;

b)    That following consideration of the draft proposed Charitable Street Collections Policy at Appendix A of the report, the draft proposals be noted; and

c)     That following consideration of the draft proposed Charitable House to House Collections Policy at Appendix B of the report, the draft proposals be noted.