Licensing Services
Scrap Metal Dealers Registration
To be a scrap metal dealer operating from premises, you need a premises metal dealer's licence from South Ayrshire Council.
However, a metal dealer's licence is not required by a person who has either an
exemption warrant or a temporary exemption warrant. An exemption warrant can be
issued by South Ayrshire Council where a certificate from the auditor of the metal
dealer's business is produced, which states that, in a financial year within the
preceding 18 months, the total amount received by the dealer in respect of metal
sold or supplied exceeded £100,000.
A temporary exemption warrant can be issued by South Ayrshire Council, upon application
by the metal dealer, where they are satisfied that he has not been carrying on business
as a metal dealer.
If a dealer has a temporary exemption warrant, they must only acquire metal from
people selling or otherwise disposing of it in the course of trade or business.
A metal dealer's licence will specify the activity which you may engage in and the
place where you can carry out your business.
You must not be disqualified from holding a licence, and you must be fit to be the
holder of the licence.
The premises or vehicle you use in order to carry out the work must be suitable
for that purpose.
You must not have applied for the same licence within the last year, unless there
has been a material change in your circumstances since your last application.
How to apply
Please contact South Ayrshire Council using the contact details below in the first
instance.
What happens next?
Before considering an application South Ayrshire Council must have received all
the required supporting documentation before the application is considered lodged.
South Ayrshire Council will:
- send a copy of the application to the Chief Constable
- place a notice in at least one local or national newspaper which states the premises
and applicant details contained in the application, that any objections or representations
may be made to South Ayrshire Council, and how such representations should be made
- keep a register of applications in which they will enter the details of the receipt
of the application, their final decision and reasons for the decision, the details
of the terms of each licence granted and a note of any suspension, variation of
the terms, or surrender, of a licence
We would expect to process your application within 6 months. If South Ayrshire Council
fails to make a decision within 6 months of the application, the licence is held
to be granted or renewed.
What if I have been refused approval?
Please contact South Ayrshire Council using the contact details below in the first
instance.
Within 28 days of the date of the decision to refuse their application, the applicant
may require South Ayrshire Council to give the reasons for their decision.
The applicant may appeal to the sheriff against the decision, within 28 days of
the decision, as long as they have already followed any available procedure in terms
of stating their case to South Ayrshire Council.
The appeal will only be successful if the sheriff considers that South Ayrshire
Council, in making their decision, had:
- erred in law
- based their decision on an incorrect material fact
- acted contrary to natural justice
- exercised their discretion in an unreasonable manner
The applicant may then appeal on a point of law from the sheriff's decision to the
Court of Session within 28 days from the date of the sheriff’s decision.
Other complaints
If you wish to complain about a licence holder then please use the contact details
below.
Who to contact
Licensing Services
South Ayrshire Council
Town Buildings
29 New Bridge Street
Ayr KA7 1JX
Tel: 01292 617682
Trade Associations