Living off the fat of the land. - Page 15

garinda · 02-02-2009, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

...as you've said the above post was your final word regarding this matter, I know you to be a man of your word, and it will have been your final word.

Guess I was wrong.

jaysay · 02-02-2009, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Guess I was wrong.

Slightly different topic me thinks Rindi

maybe you should start a new thread on it

Gayle · 02-02-2009, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewb

No councillors should not be out of pocket for expenses, however clearly Graham does not believe that the expenses need to be increased, so why should he need to spend above the previous limit? Unless he was just voting for popularism and that the expenses increase was needed...

Has Graham spent or claimed any expenses since the increase?

Can you be clear about what you're saying here because you appear to be suggesting that Graham voted against the increase and has now stacked up a huge amount of expenses on the new limit. Yet, that can't possibly be so what evidence have you to say that he would?

Taggy · 02-02-2009, 11:54

What are the Carers allowance claims?

Best Regards - Taggy

katex · 02-02-2009, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taggy

What are the Carers allowance claims?

Best Regards - Taggy

The rate is £ 9 per hour Taggy, but sure I read that no Councillor has ever claimed this as yet.

katex · 02-02-2009, 12:21

Carer’s Allowance
Subject to the conditions in paragraph 4.2, a carer’s allowance will be paid in respect of
costs necessarily incurred by Councillors in arranging care for:-
• a child or children under the age of 15
• an elderly relative requiring full time care
• a relative with a physical disability requiring full time care
• a relative with learning disabilities requiring full time care
where this is done in order to enable the Councillor to undertake any of the approved duties
set out in paragraphs (1) to (7) of Schedule 2.
The following conditions apply in respect of entitlement to carer’s allowance:-
i) the person for whom care has been arranged must live in the same household as the
Councillor,
ii) the care in respect of which the allowance is claimed must not be provided by a
member of the Councillor’s immediate family or household,
iii) the Councillor must notify the Council of the identity of the carer in respect of whose
costs the allowance is claimed.
The rate of the carer’s allowance shall be increased annually with effect from 1st April by the
rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Prices (All Items) Index.
The rate of carer’s allowance is £9.00 per hour.

Sorry, took me some time to select this bit ....

andrewb · 02-02-2009, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Has Graham spent or claimed any expenses since the increase?

Can you be clear about what you're saying here because you appear to be suggesting that Graham voted against the increase and has now stacked up a huge amount of expenses on the new limit. Yet, that can't possibly be so what evidence have you to say that he would?

I am not, on this occasion, saying that he has, as they do not come into effect until April. I am saying that councillors who voted against it would be hypocritical if they did spend the new value.

I do point out that Councillor Jones voted against councillors claiming more than one special responsibility allowance. He now takes more than one special responsibility allowance. Blatantly done to look good in the paper. Stinks of hypocrisy.

Taggy · 02-02-2009, 12:31

Thanks for that Katex.

Pity the Governments Carers allowance isnt that generous! Just over Fifty odd quid for a minimum of 35 hours care! Scandalous!

Best Regards - Taggy

g jones · 03-02-2009, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewb

I am not, on this occasion, saying that he has, as they do not come into effect until April. I am saying that councillors who voted against it would be hypocritical if they did spend the new value.

I do point out that Councillor Jones voted against councillors claiming more than one special responsibility allowance. He now takes more than one special responsibility allowance. Blatantly done to look good in the paper. Stinks of hypocrisy.

I voted FOR the extra planning allowance of £750 and that is my second allowance. I voted FOR this under the 2 or more allowances rule.

You're a prat Andrew.

Posted via Mobile Device

Neil · 03-02-2009, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by g jones

I voted FOR the extra planning allowance of £750 and that is my second allowance. I voted FOR this under the 2 or more allowances rule.

I see nothing wrong with the 2 or more allowances rule. At least it will mean that those who do more will get more. We all know there are some councillor's that do a lot more than others. As you have already said you have lost a chunk of your wages because you are a councillor.

I have always assumed your allowances are taxable, is that correct?

katex · 03-02-2009, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I have always assumed your allowances are taxable, is that correct?

Yes Neil -

7. Taxation
7.1 Members’ allowances will be treated as earned income and will be subject to income tax and
national insurance at the prevailing rates. It will be the Councillor’s responsibility to provide
details of his/her tax code and other sources of income to the Council’s payroll section to
enable the correct deductions to be made.
7.2 Members who claim other allowances and benefits (including job seeker’s allowance,
incapacity benefit, housing benefit, etc.) should be aware of the effects that receiving a
Member’s allowance will have on the levels of those benefits and allowances. In cases of
doubt, advice should be sought from the local office of the Department of Work and
Pensions and the Council’s Housing Benefits Section.

All fair and square.

No, I am not Graham's mouthpiece .. just that he has gone off line ...LOL.

garinda · 03-02-2009, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

No, I am not Graham's mouthpiece .. just that he has gone off line ...LOL.

That's a pity.

Peter has Jaysay, and Graham could have had you....as a mouthpiece I mean, not sat on his knee, taking dictation.

Neil · 03-02-2009, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

That's a pity.

Peter has Jaysay, and Graham could have had you....as a mouthpiece I mean, not sat on his knee, taking dictation.

Don't start getting her all excited, she has been bad enough recently as it is

katex · 03-02-2009, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Don't start getting her all excited, she has been bad enough recently as it is

Cheeky .. must be those snowdrop shoots, Spring around the corner ... might as well be the Apex one though, still seems far away.

andrewb · 03-02-2009, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by g jones

I voted FOR the extra planning allowance of £750 and that is my second allowance. I voted FOR this under the 2 or more allowances rule.

I see. Yet when Councillor Britcliffe voted for this, you said in the Observer,
"He's got no extra responsibility because he is doing what he did before, so what is the money for?"

Did you actually vote for this? In 2007 the Independent Remuneration Panel review said that second allowances should not be allowed. During a vote you put down an amendment,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Council Minutes 28th June 2007

”That the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel be accepted and implemented, with the exception of the recommended increase in the Leader’s allowance.”

Your amendment would have ensured that no second allowances could be taken. It was defeated, and you now take a second allowance. Are we to believe that you put down an amendment, but then voted against it? Hypocrisy.