Council clerks and expenses claims
Discussion
I hear that a council clerk has told his councils ( he is clerk to two community councils) that his association has advised him to claim for the use of a room in his home as an office. This has led to a claim of £800 per annum where it used to be a nominal £200 per annum divided between the two councils.
As far as I know, expenses claims are only valid if the expenses are necessarily incurred as a result of doing the job. The term the Revenue use is: "Wholly and exclusively incurred" and: "must not have been otherwise incurred."
The new claim refers to the use of one seventh of the house used as an office and the claim includes one seventh of bills such as council tax and water rates!
To my mind, none of these are valid expenses claims as they are payable in the same amount whether or not the guy is a council clerk and did not increase when he became clerk. His association says that he could say he is deprived of the use of the room for other purposes but that implies that he never goes in there to use his computer for anything other than council business; clearly most unlikely.
Anyone have any experience of such things? I fear local councillors may be in trouble with the auditor for approving this 300% rise in expenses when it appears at least some of the claim is spurious.
As far as I know, expenses claims are only valid if the expenses are necessarily incurred as a result of doing the job. The term the Revenue use is: "Wholly and exclusively incurred" and: "must not have been otherwise incurred."
The new claim refers to the use of one seventh of the house used as an office and the claim includes one seventh of bills such as council tax and water rates!
To my mind, none of these are valid expenses claims as they are payable in the same amount whether or not the guy is a council clerk and did not increase when he became clerk. His association says that he could say he is deprived of the use of the room for other purposes but that implies that he never goes in there to use his computer for anything other than council business; clearly most unlikely.
Anyone have any experience of such things? I fear local councillors may be in trouble with the auditor for approving this 300% rise in expenses when it appears at least some of the claim is spurious.
robinhood21 said:
I hope he will be returning one seventh of any profit made when selling his house.
I am told that if he sells his house he may be liable to capitial gains tax on the one seventh as it will be considered a business premises. No doubt he will then use the per square foot rule as it will reduce his liability but will use "per room" when it suitsGassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff