Charity collections
Licences and permits are required for the following types of charity collections:
Street collections
You will need a street collection permit if you wish to make a charitable tin collection in the street, or in a public or private place.
How to apply for street collections
Please read the street collection regulations before applying.
Apply for a street collection licence
Street Collection Regulations - doc - 124 Kb
- The completed form must be returned at least one month prior to the date of collection.
- We may, in granting the licence, limit the collection to certain parts of the street/place.
- After the collection has taken place a financial return form must be returned to the Council within one month.
- Licences are valid for one day.
- Please be aware that if your proposed collection location takes place at the Market Place in Cirencester, you will require additional permission from Cirencester Town Council. This is because they are responsible for the "Stopping Up" Order that governs the use of the Market Place area. The Cirencester Town Council can be contacted on 01285 655646.
This table shows which dates have already been booked for street collections:
| Charity | Date from | Date to | Location |
| Marie Curie |
4th April 2026 |
Cirencester | |
| Christian Aid |
10th May 2026 |
16th May 2026 | All of Cotswold District |
| RNLI |
20th June 2026 |
Chipping Campden | |
| Prostate Cancer UK |
12th December 2026 |
Cirencester | |
| Christian Aid |
9th May 2027 |
15th May 2027 | All of Cotswold District |
House to house collections
You will need a licence to undertake a house-to-house collection of money or any other goods such as clothes on the doorstep of private homes and businesses.
How to apply for house to house collections
Please read the street collection regulations before applying.
Apply for a house to house collections licence- the completed form must be returned at least one month prior to the start date of the collection.
- you must provide a covering letter which provides details on the following:-
- details of the aims and objectives of your society
- a list of the society's patron and officers and, if applicable, branch officers
- copies of accounts of collections held in other areas
- the format of the proposed collection
- details of the methods used to obtain collectors and how those collectors are controlled
- any other information you may wish to send in support of your application
We may, in granting the licence, limit the collection to
- certain parts of the street/place/area.
- Many of the large well known charities hold a Home Office Exemption Certificate which means that no licence is required; however notice must be given to the Council as the licensing authority.
- A licence will not be granted for a period of longer than 12 months.
- We, as the licensing authority, may refuse a licence, or where granted, may revoke it in circumstances specified in the Act.
- After the collection has taken place a financial return form must be returned to the Council within one month.
- There is no fee
This table shows which dates have already been booked for house to house collections:
| Charity | Date from | Date to |
|---|---|---|
|
Boot out Breast Cancer |
6th January 2025 |
5th January 2026 |
|
RAFBF |
26th March 2025 |
31th December 2025 |
|
The Brain Tumour Charity |
26th March 2025 |
31th December 2025 |
|
Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK |
12/10/2025 |
01/09/2026 |
| British Red Cross |
1st December 2025 |
28th December 2025 |
| Great Ormond Street |
1st December |
28th December |
| Cirencester Round Table |
1st, 15th and 17th December 2025 |
|
| Cancer Research & Genetics |
18/01 15/02 |
24/01 21/02 |
| Children’s Hearts |
All of 2026 |
|
| Boot out Breast Cancer |
01/01/2026 |
01/05/2027 |
| DePaul |
8/12/2025 |
31/12/2026 |
