Subsistence and Carers Allowances

Under certain circumstances, Councillors can claim subsistence allowances as set out below.

The allowance is for actual expenditure, and payment will normally only be made where receipts are supplied.

Allowance Total
Breakfast allowance A rate of up to £5.00 may be paid where a Member has been away from home on Council business for a period of at least five hours and has incurred the cost of a meal.
One meal rate
(five-hour rate)
A rate of up to £5.00 may be paid where a Member has been away from home on Council business for a period of at least five hours and has incurred the cost of a meal
Two meal rate
(ten hour rate)
A rate of up to £10.00 may be paid where a Member has been away from home on Council business for a period of at least ten hours and has incurred the cost of a meal or meals.
Late evening meal rate A rate of up to £15.00 may be paid where a Member has to work later than 8.00pm having been on Council business during the day and has to buy a meal which they would usually have at home.
Overnight / Conference subsistence allowances - London  £91.04 per night
Overnight / Conference subsistence allowances - other locations £79.82 per night

Carer’s Allowance

  1. Carer’s Allowance will be paid for the reimbursement of actual expenditure incurred by Members up to a maximum equivalent to the national minimum wage current at that time for the care of dependents whilst the Member is on Council business. For this purpose, “dependents” include children, elderly people or people with disabilities.
  2. The allowance will not be paid to a member of a claimant’s own household, except where that person would otherwise be in existing paid employment during the hours of caring.
  3. The allowance will not be paid to a Councillor who is already in receipt of an allowance or other assistance from any other source for the same purpose on the occasion for which the allowance is being claimed.

These allowances may be claimed only where incurred, and supported wherever possible with a receipt, so that where appropriate the Council may reclaim any VAT included.