As I understand it, there is no requirement for permission to record any song after it's initial recording. Permission is only required for the first recording of any written song after that the writer has no control over subsequent recordings. It is always nice to be asked, but the writer cannot withhold permission, he/she might not be happy but has to live with it.
If you are issuing the record via a record conpany then they will take care of any copyright i.e. PRS etc. They fill in the relevent forms and send them off to the relevent royalty collecting bodies, get back publishing details, and make the required payments.
Hope this helps, Neil,
love, john.