In this guide
5. Community and town councils
The panel mandated payment of a contribution to costs and expenses for members of councils in Groups 1 to 5; Receipts are not required for these payments. In order to identify which of the 5 groups your CTC is in. Please refer to Table 2 of the 2023 annual report.
In 2021 the Panel undertook a review of the remuneration framework for Community and Town Councils in Wales.
Following consultation, the Panel established five groups based on the size of the Council’s electorate. In addition, there will be a second factor for determining which group the council will be placed. Where income or expenditure permanently exceeds £200,000 a year, it will be moved upwards to the next group.
Reimbursement for extra costs of working from home
Community and town councils in Groups 1 to 5 must pay their members £156 a year (equivalent to £3 a week) towards the extra household expenses (including heating, lighting, power and broadband) of working from home.
Reimbursement for consumables
Councils must either pay their members £52 a year for the cost of office consumables required to carry out their role, or alternatively councils must enable members to claim full reimbursement for the cost of their office consumables.
It is a matter for each council to make and record a policy decision in respect of when and how the payments are made and whether they are paid monthly, yearly or otherwise. The policy should also state whether and how to recover any payments made to a member who leaves or changes their role during the financial year.
Community and town councils in Group 1 must make available an annual payment of £500 each to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 7 members in recognition of specific responsibilities. This is in addition to the £156 towards the extra household expenses of working from home and the £52 a year for the cost of office consumables required to carry out their role.
Community and town councils in Group 2 must make an annual payment of £500 each to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 members in recognition of specific responsibilities. This is in addition to the £156 towards the extra household expenses of working from home and the £52 a year for the cost of office consumables required to carry out their role.
Community and town councils in Groups 3 to 4 can make an annual payment of up to £500 each to up to 3 members in recognition of specific responsibilities. This is in addition to the £156 towards the extra household expenses of working from home and the £52 a year for the cost of office consumables required to carry out their role.
Community and town councils in Group 5 can make an annual payment of up to £500 to up to 3 members in recognition of specific responsibilities. This is in addition to the £156 towards the extra household expenses of working from home and the £52 a year for the cost of office consumables required to carry out their role.
All community and town councils must provide for the contribution towards costs for the care and personal assistance in respect of a dependant under 16 years of age, or a minor or adult who normally lives with the member as part of their family and who cannot be left unsupervised (provided by informal or formal carers). The purpose of this is to enable people who have personal support needs and or caring responsibilities to carry out their duties effectively as a member of an authority. Payment shall only be made on production of receipts from the care provider.
Compliance
Community and town councils must also publish a statement of payments by 30th September each year. This document details all payments made to elected members in the previous municipal year.