1.0 Claim forms and application forms for railway tickets may be obtained from the Payroll Manager (Colin Monk) to whom enquiries about all councillor's allowances should be made in the first instance. (Telephone 023 9244 6310). Claim forms are also available in the Library.

 

1.1 Payment will be made monthly direct to a bank or building society unless a councillor certifies that they do not have such account.

 

1.2 Tax will be deducted from basic and special responsibility allowances in accordance with the instructions of H.M. Inspector of Taxes. Councillors are advised that certain expenses (e.g. use of homes and private telephones) may be justifiable as claims against their allowances; this is a matter for direct negotiation between the councillor and H.M. Inspector of Taxes, who will provide a code number which will take the expenses into account. Any subsequent change in the level of expenditure will be the subject of the normal arrangements for the under and over deduction of tax in relation to the councillor's final tax position. National Insurance Contributions will be deducted where appropriate if in any one month, the allowances paid are £453 or more. A guide to the inter-relationship of the Councillors Allowances scheme with Income Tax and Benefits system can be borrowed from the Payroll Manager.

 

1.3 Councillors are reminded that they are responsible for keeping accurate records of approved duties and certifying claim forms accordingly. While the staff will always help councillors in any way possible, it is a requirement that councillors must personally complete in every respect and sign all forms of claim, including times and amounts claimed.

 

1.4 Completed claims received by the Personnel Section will be paid at the end of the month, provided they have been submitted by the 10th day of that month.

 

 

2.0 As soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of a year to which a scheme relates, a district, county or London borough council shall make arrangements for the publication within the authority's area of the total sum paid by them in the year to each councillor in respect of each of the following -