Members allowances - travel and subsistence

First approved by the council on 21st May 2003, revised 19th May 2004, 18th May 2005, 24th May 2006 and 23rd May 2007 on the recommendation of the Independent Panel on Members' Remuneration - see May council minutes in 'Agendas and reports' for greater detail by clicking on the link in the 'Do it now' box opposite.

Travel and Dependant Care Allowance

Care allowance may be claimed at a level which is set out in part 6 of the constitution.  Travel allowance may be claimed at the approved employee rates.  These allowances can be claimed for the following:

  • All formal meetings which form part of the council's constitution and where the councillor is a member of the body concerned
  • Where the councillor is acting as a substitute or where they have been specifically invited to attend
  • Where a councillor is attending to speak on an issue on behalf of their constituents
  • Attendance at tender opening sessions where required by standing orders
  • Councillors' seminars called under the provision of standing orders
  • Training activities under the Councillors Development Programme
  • Approved external conferences
  • Meetings of outside bodies to which appointed
  • Attendance by executive councillors or other office holders (like those in receipt of special responsibility allowances) at briefings, meetings or events (either within South Gloucestershire or outwith) in their official capacities and in the furtherance of their official duties and odd jobs
  • Travel undertaken by the chair and vice chair in connection with their official duties where council transport is not provided

Subsistence Allowance

 Councillors are only eligible to claim Subsistence Allowance where:

  • They are required to travel/attend approved meetings outisde the council's area and
  • Where the absence exceeds four hours and
  • Where the expenditure is not met directly by the council/department and
  • Where the councillor necessarily incurs additional expenditure

Where subsistence is claimable, councillors will be reimbursed for their reasonable actual expenditure, subject to the production of receipts.