Agenda item

To consider the application for a street collection permit detailed in the report.

At the previous meeting, the Sub-Committee agreed to defer making a decision on the application for a street collection permit for Here 4 U to allow the applicant additional time to submit supporting paperwork that included the charity’s annual report, details of referrals, testimonials, accounting and other supporting materials to the Licensing Service.

The applicant, Mr Bentley was not in attendance having attended the previous meeting on 10 April to speak in support of his application for a permit to collect in the St John’s Square area on 18 August 2018 between 8am and 8pm.

The Sub-Committee agreed to consider the application in the absence of Mr Bentley. Members reviewed all the supporting evidence submitted by the applicant and reasoned that despite some comprehensive paperwork and references, concerns remained about the organisation due to a lack of available evidence of robust governance arrangements, questions about how funds would potentially be spent and concerns about counselling services being provided by the charity by staff without the appropriate qualifications.

Resolved:

1.      To refuse to grant the street collection permit in respect of Here 4 U.

2.      To refer the organisations details to colleagues in Social Care and Public Health within the Council to investigate Here 4 U in more detail following the concerns noted.