Charities missing out as fundraisers put off town events by red tape 'farce'

CHARITY stallholders have been put off attending New Milton events due to the current policy for street collections, according to a community stalwart who branded the situation “a farce”.

Addressing the town council’s amenities committee on behalf of the Lions Club of New Milton and the New Milton Jubilee Fund, Alan Watson bemoaned the fact that people have to apply for licences to collect donations in a public space.

A recent example of the impact this was having on local good causes, he said, was Sunday’s pedal car grand prix which missed out on having three charity stalls in the town centre.

This was due to the stallholders feeling they would not be able to obtain a licence in time.

“I ask the town council and New Forest District Council to rectify the fiasco that currently is the licensing for street collections,” Mr Watson said.

“It is a farce. Please help!”

Responding to Mr Watson’s complaint, amenities chairman Cllr Geoffrey Blunden stressed the matter was not within the town council’s remit.

However, he added it had been in discussions with NFDC in a bid to rectify the situation and make matters easier for charity fundraisers.