Travel allowances
The rates of travel allowances for 2013/14 are: -
- Motor vehicles up to 10,000 miles – 45p per mile
- Motor vehicles over 10,000 miles – 25p per mile
- Passenger supplement – 5p per passenger per mile
- Pedal cycles – 20p per mile
Councillors and co-opted members can also claim for bus/train/taxi fares. Claims for bus/train/taxi fares must be accompanied by appropriate receipts showing the actual expense. Only actual costs can be claimed when supported by a receipt.
Approved duties
Councillors and Co-opted Members can claim travel expenses for 'approved duties' defined as: -
(a) attendance at a meeting of the authority or of any committee of the authority or of any body to which the authority makes appointments or nominations or of any committee of such a body;
(b) attendance at a meeting of any association of authorities of which theauthority is a member;
(c) attendance at any other meeting the holding of which is authorised bythe authority or by a committee of the authority or by a joint committee of the authority and one or more other authorities;
(d) a duty undertaken for the purpose of or in connection with the discharge of the functions of an executive where the authority is operating executive arrangements within the meaning of Part II of the Local Government Act 2000;
(e) a duty undertaken in pursuance of a standing order which requires a member or members to be present when tender documents are opened;
(f) a duty undertaken in connection with the discharge of any function of the authority which empowers or requires the authority to inspect or authorise the inspection of premises;
(g) attendance at any training or developmental event approved by the authority or its executive or board; and
(h) any other duty approved by the authority, or any other duty of a class so approved, undertaken for the purpose of, or in connection with, the discharge of the functions of the authority or of any of its committees.
Travel claims cannot be made for undertaking constituency business.
Subsistence allowances
Subsistence allowances are available for undertaking official duties away from home.
The maximum subsistence allowance is £28 per day (including breakfast when not provided as part of overnight accommodation).
The allowances available for an overnight stay whilst undertaking an approved duty are set at £150 for London, £120 for Cardiff and £95 elsewhere with receipts to be provided. A maximum of £25 is available for an overnight stay with friends or relatives whilst on approved duty.
Claims for subsistence and an overnight stay can only be made for actual costs with receipts provided. Claims for subsistence cannot be made when undertaken duties within the county borough.
Care allowance
Members and co-opted members are entitled to claim a care allowance whilst they are engaged on council business, and when costs are incurred in providing care to children under the age of 15. In addition, claims for the care allowance can be made in respect of children over the age of 15 or dependants if the council is satisfied that supervision is necessary.
A maximum of £403 can be claimed each month. The care allowance shall only be payable for actual and receipted costs.