Councillors expenses - Page 2

Neil · 20-01-2011, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

(having had the greed factor as an intrinsic part of their upbringing)

That is a bit of a nasty and unfounded comment

MargaretR · 20-01-2011, 10:15

"(n) greed (excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves)"

claytonender · 20-01-2011, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

A question to one of our Councillor members.

Do all your expenses need receipts like mine do for work or can you claim some things without receipts (apart from the allowances) ?

This is a link to the members allowance scheme - which includes expenses.

Council Constitution

As far as I am aware, you do need to produce receipts for expenses claimed. With the exception of mileage - where you claim for an approved duty -however if you attend a training course you do need confirmation from the person who authorised attendance at the training course. There is a form to fill in mileage claims which you detail the journey and the miles driven and details of the car you used. I attended a course at Wyre Borough Council yesterday, but I will not be claiming any expenses for attending.

Also if you go to a conference, which entails an overnight stay you get a taxable allowance of £58.41 per day (which is taxable) to cover exoenses incurred.

Neil · 20-01-2011, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytonender

I attended a course at Wyre Borough Council yesterday, but I will not be claiming any expenses for attending.

I don't believe you should be out of pocket for Councillor duties and you should claim back expenses incurred.

accysimon · 20-01-2011, 17:18

It is also worth noting that travel expenses are paid at 60p per mile (HMRC only allow tax relief up to 40p per mile), and you don't need business use insurance, unless the rules have changed recently. Surely, then, if you are on Council business you should have this insurance, even more so if people do the role as their main job?

MargaretR · 20-01-2011, 17:22

It would be interesting to know the going rate for babysitters.

garinda · 20-01-2011, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

It would be interesting to know the going rate for babysitters.

I don't know the current going rate babysitters get, but quite bizarrely you could legally pay a child of fifteen, to look after the daughter/son of a Hynburn councillor, who might be two years older than their 'baby' minder.

Family and Consumer UK Law Guide- Your Legal Rights Explained-Find A Solicitor In Your Area And Submit An Enquiry

Quite ridiculous.

My great-grandfather was fighting in the Boer War at the age of sixteen.

accysimon · 20-01-2011, 18:32

Who gets the child care expenses if the 16/17 yr old is at work or college? Can the employer or lecturer claim them then?

What this seems to show is that some councillors, alledgedly, look after themselves more than the people they were elected to represent.

Neil · 20-01-2011, 18:45

This thread is starting to get a bit silly.

accysimon · 20-01-2011, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

This thread is starting to get a bit silly.

Why? I am just asking why childcare can be claimed for a 17yr old by councillors but not for employers or colleges etc...

Theoretically, a 17yr old could be paid for caring for someone younger, but also be the subject of childcare claim themselves at the same time...it's madness

garinda · 20-01-2011, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

This thread is starting to get a bit silly.

The thing that is more than 'silly', is that some sixteen year olds are employed full-time, working in childcare facilities.

Getting themselves up, getting the bus to work, paying taxes etc.

Whilst we have some young people in Hyndburn, whose councillor parents are claiming childcare allowances for their similarly aged offspring.

Offspring the law says are legally mature enough to have sex, terminate a pregnancy without parental consent, buy a lottery ticket, leave school, and ride a licenced moped.

The proposed changes to raise the age limit for Hyndburn councillors' childcare allowances is sadly more than 'silly'.

accysimon · 20-01-2011, 21:02

I recently made a complaint to Cumbria Social Services and the NSPCC as my ex-partner was leaving my 6 yr old son in the care of his 14 yr old sister for 6 hours on the Saturday's he didn't come and stay with me. I said this was not acceptable and was his sister old enough and responsible enough to handle such a job.....I was told that yes, 14 yr olds can be deemed old enough.

How and why, then, can childcare be claimed for a 17 yr old, and how many 17 yr olds would admit to be cared for by someone else?

Finally, how many Hyndburn Councillors have young children under 18? I know Peter Britcliffe and Claire Pritchard do. Any more?

garinda · 20-01-2011, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by accysimon

Finally, how many Hyndburn Councillors have young children under 18? I know Peter Britcliffe and Claire Pritchard do. Any more?

Perhaps someone's going to act like a diva, and is planning to bring back from their jollies, more than just the usual Kiss Me Quick sombreo, and stick of sickly rock.

Neil · 21-01-2011, 07:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

The thing that is more than 'silly', is that some sixteen year olds are employed full-time, working in childcare facilities.

I have not given my thoughts on the subject. It just the way some people are trying to point a finger at certain people for political reasons that I was refering to as silly. ALso the way 16/17 year olds has been mentioned when its for "up to 17" which means 16 is the oldest you can claim for.

I would be a bit concerned if a 16 year old of mine needed looking after.
I would also hope I would be able to leave them on there own overnight if I was working away.

My questions would be.

Are other Councils the same or is this a new idea by the independant body?

Who are this independant body anyway that decided 16 years olds need looking after?

What was the previous age limit?

What happens if a Councillor is the sole career for someone who can't be left alone, can they claim for assistance while on Council duties?

Neil · 21-01-2011, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytonender

This is a link to the members allowance scheme - which includes expenses.

Council Constitution

Thanks for that, I have just started to read it - yes I am sad.

The member allowance scheme is part of the Councils constitution.
Am I right in thinking if they do not adhere it then the Council is in breech of its constitution?
What happens if the constitution is not adhered to?