September 20, 2013 9.59 am This story is over 126 months old

License changes for Lincoln scrap dealers

New rules: The City of Lincoln Council is making it harder for illegal scrap firms by issuing new licenses to trade.

Photo: Steffen Thomä

Changes in scrap dealer licensing to stop the sale of stolen metals come into force in Lincoln next month.

From October 1, dealers, operators and collectors will need to apply for one of two different licenses under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

The act means only people who have been properly vetted can collect, buy or sell scrap metal, and it gives local authorities more powers, such as being able to refuse or revoke licences.

The two licences depending on the type of dealer are:

A site licence — for businesses that take in scrap metal or vehicles, and either store scrap metal for sale or future sale or process it.
A collectors licence — for those that have a business of collecting scrap, then sell it on to scrap yards or motor salvage yards.

Those who are registered before October 1 and apply between October 1-15 will be allowed to continue their trades while the City Council considers their application.

Those who are registered already but do not apply before October 15 will not be able to trade until their application is considered.

Anyone presently not registered will have to cease trading on October 1. They can apply after October 1.

Kevin Barron, Licensing Manager at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “It is important that dealers and collectors register with us before the 1 October.

“If they fail to do so they will be unable to trade until a licence has been issued. Collectors also need to ensure that they register and then apply for a licence in every district council area they operate in.”

The form is available online, or by emailing [email protected], calling 01522 873564, at City Hall, or by writing to the Council at The Licensing Team, City Of Lincoln Council, City Hall, Lincoln, LN1 1DB.

The fee for the license is yet to be determined, but will be decided at Full Council on September 24.