Do council license chuggers?

heretolearn_2

and if they do, what department at the council could I complain to about the number of these licenses they are giving out (or more likely selling...).

I work in a small town with a very small pedestrianised High Street. It takes less than 5 minutes to walk from one end to the other. There are so many days where there are teams of chuggers in operation and it's really a nuisance. Last week there were teams there on 3 out of the 5 weekdays. It's not just one or two people, it's a whole string of about 10 of them spread along the street, soon as you get past one a few steps later and there's another one standing in your way.

I actually don't mind them in principle, it doesn't kill me to say a polite 'no thank you' and keep going, but this is getting ridiculous. The council is overdoing the permissions...I assume they have to give permission? As the council is here to serve us, the local people, and not these charities, should they listen if enough people complain? Once a week would be enough, surely? no to mention that everyone is so fed up with it you never see anyone stopping to speak to them, so it isn't any good for the charities either.

BargainGalore

I just walk past them smile and say "no thanks" if they choose to talk any more or follow me I ignore them. I would never give them anything, no one should give bank details to them

I must admit though I try and avoid town at weekends as thats the time they mostly out and about plus also lots of shoppers/parking issue

PlutoinCapricorn

Local government do license face to face fundraisers. The department probably depends on which council is relevant: yours probably has a website that should tell you what you want to know. Here is an example:

http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/index.php?cid=1362

Antispam

Its a bit old that link now wonder if anything has changed

The legal position
Although charity street collections are regulated under the Police, Factories, etc (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916, current legal advice is that face-to-face fundraising falls outside these provisions as no money changes hands when the direct debit forms are signed. The government has recognised the need for this form of fundraising to be regulated and included provisions within the Charities Act 2006. However, these are not expected to be implemented before 2010 at the earliest.

XxXfashionqueenXxX

I just say something along the lines of no thank you, I support the children's school or something like that.

CKhalvashi

heretolearn wrote: »

and if they do, what department at the council could I complain to about the number of these licenses they are giving out (or more likely selling...).

I work in a small town with a very small pedestrianised High Street. It takes less than 5 minutes to walk from one end to the other. There are so many days where there are teams of chuggers in operation and it's really a nuisance. Last week there were teams there on 3 out of the 5 weekdays. It's not just one or two people, it's a whole string of about 10 of them spread along the street, soon as you get past one a few steps later and there's another one standing in your way.

I actually don't mind them in principle, it doesn't kill me to say a polite 'no thank you' and keep going, but this is getting ridiculous. The council is overdoing the permissions...I assume they have to give permission? As the council is here to serve us, the local people, and not these charities, should they listen if enough people complain? Once a week would be enough, surely? no to mention that everyone is so fed up with it you never see anyone stopping to speak to them, so it isn't any good for the charities either.

It’s district that you need to speak to. If in East Herts, I will point you further with names!

PDC

It sounds much like our High Street. Its not that much of a nuisance but when you have to travel the length of it six or seven times a day it can get a bit wearing being approached five or six times each trip.

Also some of them can be quite pushy and a simple no thank you is often greeted with a 'oh your too busy to help the...' or some such quip.

I don't mind this in principle but it also seems to pray on peoples politeness almost to the level of a intimidation in some cases.