Details of our councillors' allowance scheme and how much councillors can claim.
Councillors are entitled to claim certain allowances under our members' allowances scheme.
Claims for 2023/24
Please see our councillor allowances - claims for 2023/24 page to see the list of claims from last year.
Current allowances
The following allowances apply from 21st May 2024, unless otherwise stated:
Basic allowance
| Description | Rate per year |
|---|---|
| Payable to all members | £6,602 |
Special responsibility allowances for post holders
| Post holder | Rate per year |
|---|---|
| Leader of the council | £18,314 |
| Deputy Leader of the council | £10,541 |
| Cabinet members | £9,104 (each) |
| Cabinet Champions (payable from the date appointed) | £1,863 (each) |
| Chairman of Development Management Committee | £6,176 |
| Chairman of Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee | £6,176 |
| Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee | £4,579 |
| Chairman of Policy and Project Advisory Board | £4,579 |
| Opposition group leaders (subject to the group having at least ten per cent (4) of the council's seats) |
£3,727 (each) |
| Chairman of the council (Mayor) | £1,757 |
| Members serving on four or more hearings in one municipal year (excluding the Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee) |
£532 |
Co-optees allowance
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Co-optee | £585 a year |
Dependant carer's allowance
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Childcare allowance | National living wage |
| Other care | Payable at the hourly wage charged by Hampshire County Council's Adult Services for a carer |
Travelling expenses
The rates below apply:
- To travel outside the borough only
- If travel results in a substantial saving of the member's time, is in the interests of the body or is otherwise reasonable
The Head of Democracy and Partnerships will prepare a list of those circumstances where travel allowances will apply inside the borough.
| Mode of transport | Rate |
|---|---|
| Cars and vans (first 10,000 miles) |
45p per mile |
| Cars and vans (over 10,000 miles) | 25p per mile |
| Motorcycle | 24p a mile |
| Bicycle | 20p a mile |
Public transport
Councillors should travel by the most cost-effective way that suit their needs. We will reimburse the cost of most public transport and taxis on the production of receipts. For train journeys, we will normally provide a standard class rail warrant through the Head of Democracy and Partnerships.
Meetings outside Rushmoor
The following additional requirements apply to all meetings outside of Rushmoor:
- Travel to attend approved duties outside Rushmoor should be by the most cost-effective method that meets the councillor's requirements. The cost of travel by motor vehicle should not be more than the cost of the standard rail fare
- The Head of Democracy and Partnerships, in consultation with the Chief Executive or the Deputy Chief Executive, must approve any first class rail travel
- Where accommodation and meals are required, the councillor should book these in advance through the Head of Democracy and Partnerships
- Where meals cannot be pre-booked and paid in advance and are above the rates set out below, we will reimburse reasonable costs on production of receipts up to a limit of £25 a day
Subsistence allowances
The following rates apply as long as receipts are provided:
Daytime
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | £5.73 |
| Lunch | £7.92 |
| Tea | £3.13 |
| Evening meal | £9.80 |
Overnight
| Description | Rate |
|---|---|
| Allowance for absence overnight from the usual place of residence | £79.82 |
| Allowance for such absence in London (within specified London boroughs) or for attendance at the annual conference of the Local Government Association | £91.04 |
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