Question:
What allowances and expenses are paid to Councillors?
Answer:
Basic Allowance
Each Councillor receives an annual basic Allowance of £7,610 [2009-10], which is paid in monthly instalments and is subject to tax and National Insurance deductions.
The Allowance contributes to expenses accrued from carrying out Council business, such as the use of home and telephone rental and calls. The Allowance is not intended to recompense Councillors for the time they devote to Council business.
Special Responsibility Allowances
The Council pays an additional allowance to Councillors who are office holders and who have special responsibilities.
These payments (which are made to the controlling group and opposition) are set as a proportion of the Special Responsibility Allowance payable to the Leader of the Council and vary according to the political balance of the Council.
Other Allowances
Expenses are also payable to councillors for travel, subsistence and essential work-related costs such as broadband. All claims must be receipted and are subject to the usual controls over Council expenditure such as internal and external audits.
Further information on Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances and details of the travel and subsistence allowances that can be claimed can be found in Part 6 of the Council's Constitution.
All allowances are subject to tax and National Insurance deductions. More detailed information about taxation is given in Part 6 of the Constitution as referred to above.
Details of the Allowances paid and expenses claimed for financial year 2007-2008.
Details of the Allowances paid and expenses claimed for financial year 2008-09