£7m Cuts

[testing times]

According to the national press only 40% of the expected cuts have so far been implemented with the other 60% still to come. In these circumstances, I wonder how long the local Labour group can go on protecting their real 'red line' areas. In particular, I note their apparent willingness to go on paying the salaries of their UNISON friends full-time officials out of council tax and their continuing support of those overly generous mileage allowances (52.5p per mile compared to HMRC's recommended 45p). I find it very interesting that these so-called 'socialists' chose to cut funding targeted at vulnerable groups before they will risk upsetting their own union sponsors. 

[fred c]

According to the national press only 40% of the expected cuts have so far been implemented with the other 60% still to come. In these circumstances, I wonder how long the local Labour group can go on protecting their real 'red line' areas. In particular, I note their apparent willingness to go on paying the salaries of their UNISON friends full-time officials out of council tax and their continuing support of those overly generous mileage allowances (52.5p per mile compared to HMRC's recommended 45p). I find it very interesting that these so-called 'socialists' chose to cut funding targeted at vulnerable groups before they will risk upsetting their own union sponsors.

Psuedo Socialists...... the union delegate was formerly the chairman of the constituency Labour Party.

The tory councilors  backed the payment of approx £100,000 of rate payers cash to to the Party Chairman.

Only In Hartlepool & Only Under the TorLab Mob

[the_exile]

The additional 7.5p per mile paid over and above the HMRC limit is a taxable benefit to the individual employees, and as such Tax should be deducted from the excess payments made.

is this another HBC can of worms waiting to be opened?

Why not pay the HMRC agreed level of 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles and save a boat load of time (and by virtue money) administering the taxable benefit amounts together with the cash saving that would be made in paying the Council Employees that agreed national rate for mileage..................... Its not rocket science.

Or even better pay below the agreed rate, say 30p per mile, saving the Council 22p per mile on every business mile that their employees travel. Then get the Employees to make a P87 claim at the end of the tax year where the employees can reclaim an element of the mileage expense direct from Central Government