OSCR advises on fundraising restrictions near 2014 Commonwealth Games

Charities face restrictions if they wish to fundraise near venues used for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland while the Games are taking place. The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has issued advice to charities on how they can comply with these restrictions.
The restrictions are specified in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games (Trading and Advertising) (Scotland) Regulations 2013. They refer to street trading and advertising activity within defined event zones in Glasgow and in other areas used by the Games during certain times.
Charity fundraising does fall under the general category of street trading in this case. In particular it includes ‘making an appeal to members of the public to give money or other property (or both) for charitable or other purposes (whether authorised or not under any enactment)’.

Areas covered

The event zones covered by the restrictions include areas that surround the competition venues, city centre sites such as George Square and Merchant City in Glasgow, and other venues such as the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre near Dundee and the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.

How to seek authorisation

Fundraising in these event zones during the Games is permitted but only if it has been authorised by the Organising Committee. Otherwise it is prohibited.
Applications to carry out fundraising activities in the event zones must be submitted to the Organising Committee before 28 February 2014.

Exempt promoters

Charities that have exempt promoter status – they collect throughout the whole or a substantial part of Scotland – must also apply to the Organising Committee before 28 February to inform them if they plan to collect in Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games. They can not simply notify Glasgow City Council as they would normally.
Charities faced substantial restrictions on fundraising around the 2012 Olympic Games in London, not only in terms of the games locations but also in terms of not using certain words associated with the Olympic Games, London and 2012.
Photo: Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 by cameronjking on Flickr.com