Councillor allowances scheme 2024/25 and Revised 2023/2024

The tables below show the budgets set aside for councillor allowances in 2024/25 and the revised budget for 2023/24.

Basic allowance

Governments forthcoming pay awarded to staff

• x1 Multiplier - £4,707

Special responsibility allowances

Co-opted members

Travelling, subsistence, childcare and dependants' allowances

Appropriate rates are paid for travelling (depending upon the total mileage claimed or cost of public transport) and for subsistence allowances (breakfast, lunch, tea and evening meal allowances and overnight absences).

The rates relate to time spent away from the normal place of residence.

A list of the current allowances is set out below.

Travel, subsistence and childcare and dependants' allowances are to compensate Councillors for expenditure necessarily incurred when performing an Approved Duty.

Councillors are advised that if they use their personal vehicle for Council business, for example:

• travelling to and from meetings at the Town Hall or elsewhere;
• dealing with ward business or attending site visits
• external meetings etc. 

Councillors should ensure that they have adequate business insurance. Requirements can vary with insurance companies and it is important to check.

Please note this applies even if you do not claim any travel allowance for those journeys.

The obligation to adequately insure a vehicle which is used for Council business lies with each Councillor.

If an accident was to happen when using a motor vehicle whilst on Council business the Councillor would have the financial liability, not only to third parties but also for any damage to their vehicle and their person. There would be no cover by the Council's policy of public liability insurance.

Section 175 of the Local Government Act 1972 specifies that Attendance Allowance and subsistence may be paid for Councillors attending relevant conferences. 

Travel allowances for attending meetings

These must be submitted in accordance with the parameters for vehicle use, claiming mileage and travel reimbursement as set out in paragraph 2.0 (2.1) of Section 26 of the Employee Handbook.

1. By member's own solo motorcycle, rate per mile (see table below)
2. By member's own private motor vehicle or one belonging to a member of his family or provided for his use, rate per mile:

• 46.9p per mile for first 8500 miles and 13.7p per mile thereafter up to 999cc; and
• 52.2p per mile for first 8500 miles and 14.4p per mile thereafter over 999c

3. By member's own private bicycle 12p

These rates will be updated automatically in line with Officers' official mileage rates.

Subsistence Allowances

Please note that Subsistence Allowance may only be claimed for official Council duties e.g. not group meetings. Please note also that when food is provided at a Council meeting, there may be no further subsistence claimed.

Where refreshments are not provided, the Subsistence Allowances claimable are as follows:

1. Reimbursement for subsistence is payable to Councillors who are prevented by their official duties from taking a meal at their home, an administrative centre, or an establishment where they normally take their meals. Thereby incur additional expenditure on the provision of receipts.
2. If a Councillor leaves home before 6.00am to attend a location they can claim a breakfast - up to £5.00, £10.00 (London) - upon production of a receipt only.
3. Reimbursement of evening meals are payable if a full work day continues at a different location after 8.30pm. Councillors may claim an evening meal - up to £10.00, £20.00 (London) - upon production of a receipt only.
4. Subsistence will not be paid where a suitable meal is provided at no cost to the Councillor.
5. The actual cost of accommodation will be met by the Council. Such accommodation should be booked through the Council's official operator. The Councillor is responsible for paying the hotel direct for any other meals or services provided and should then reclaim the relevant subsistence amounts with the production of receipts confirming the expenditure.

Childcare and Dependants' Allowance

Childcare Allowance

The full cost of the childcare will be reimbursed providing that:

1. Receipts are produced
2. The payment is for a registered child-minder, nursery or nanny
3. That the cost is for the time of the specified duty plus up to one hour travelling time

Dependants' Allowance

that the full cost of the care be reimbursed provided that:

1. Receipts are produced
2. The payment is for a registered carer
3. That the cost is for the time of the specified duty plus up to one hour travelling time

Member's own solo motorcycle

The table below shows  the current rates per mile in pence: