Sandwell Council is currently running a public consultation on its scrap metal policy.
The consultation, which will close on Thursday 17 July, aims to set out how the council will undertake its role in the administration and enforcement of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. The policy will provide guidance to new applicants and set out requirements for existing licence holders.
The Act was introduced to help prevent some of the issues associated with the sale, collection, storage and disposal of scrap metal and to ensure that these activities are carried out lawfully.
There are two types of licences covered by the policy, a Site Licence and a Collector’s Licence.
A site licence allows for the buying and selling of scrap metal from a fixed location within the boundaries of Sandwell. A licence holder cannot regularly engage in collecting waste materials by means of unannounced visits from door to door. It is only acceptable to collect by prior arrangement.
A collector’s licence allows a person to travel from house to house within the boundaries of Sandwell to collect scrap metal.
People can give their views online.
Once published the council will review the policy every three years.