Survey Launches on Carer Allowances for Town Councillors
Following a public consultation in 2019, Weymouth Town Council challenged the Government on the ability of parish and town councils in England to pay the care expenses for dependants of councillors. For example, for childcare or care for an older or disabled relative while they attend official Council meetings.
Parish and town councils in Wales can already pay these expenses, as can borough and unitary councils in England, it’s just town and parish councils in England that are disadvantaged as they were left out of the legislation. Earlier this year, the Government responded saying they did not support Weymouth Town Council’s challenge.
The Council still believes it’s unfair, and will appeal and continue to fight for equity for carers and a new survey has been launched asking members of the public for their views on this issue.
Cllr David Harris, Mayor of Weymouth, said: “Weymouth Town Council believes that all parish and town councils in England should have the ability to provide this type of support for carers if they decide they want to. The Council is not asking the Government to force parish and town councils in England to make these payments, just to give them the option if they want to do so.
“Being able to pay such expenses will encourage a more diverse range of people to stand for election and therefore increase how representative the Council is of the people of Weymouth. Have your say here: Survey on Dependant Care Allowances for Town Councillors, the short survey runs from September 28th to October 19th.”
Key Dates and How To Have a Say
The survey runs from Monday 28th September to Monday 19th October.
Have your say here: Survey on Dependant Care Allowances for Town Councillors
Background
More background information on the issue to date is below:
2nd September this year, Full Council agreed to appeal the Carers Expenses Challenge to Central Government.
In 2023, Weymouth Town Council ran on a campaign which saw other councils and organisations including a carer’s charity sign an open letter calling on the Government to end this inequality:
ENDS
Notes to Editors
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