THE NUMBER of chuggers in Bromsgrove town centre will be limited from April, the district council has announced.
Only five of the charity collectors, who ask residents to set up direct debits for various causes, will be able to operate on the High Street and only then on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The restriction will be brought in using measures drawn up by the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA).
If the agreement is not adhered to, the chuggers could face being excluded temporarily or permanently.
Unlike street cash collections this type of fund-raising is not subject to statutory regulation and the new moves will strike an acceptable balance between the interests of fund-raisers, retailers, shoppers and other visitors to the town.
Coun Rita Dent, the council’s portfolio holder for the Town Centre and Regulatory Services, welcomed the move and said: “While the council recognises the importance of this type of fund-raising for charities we also want to make sure people can visit the town centre without the fear they will be constantly approached to make donations.”
Steve Service, outreach officer at the PFRA said: “We are delighted to be working with Bromsgrove District Council to better control street fund-raising in the area.
“The duty of charities to seek a sustainable form of income should not put the public under undue pressure to donate.
“This agreement will ensure that the right balance is struck in the interests of local people.”
Complaints of breaches of the afreement can be made to the PFRA directly by calling 0207 401 8452 or to Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) on 01905 822799. WRS will pass all complaints on to the PFRA to be responded to.
The site management agreement can be viewed on the PFRA website www.pfra.org.uk and will come into effect from April 1, 2015.
