Allowances and expenses
The allowances and expenses payable to county councillors have been set following detailed consideration by a local independent remuneration panel.
All councillors are entitled to a basic allowance of £9,735 each year (paid monthly) which is intended to cover attendance at meetings, constituency work and incidental expenses such as subsistence and use of members' private telephones. There is a separate carer's allowance to help meet the costs of caring for dependants.
Additionally, special responsibility allowances are paid to certain office holders, such as the leader of the council, members of the cabinet and the chairmen of overview committees, in recognition of their additional responsibilities.
All county councillors may claim travelling expenses at a standard rate (40p per mile). County councillors may also opt to join the Dorset County Pension Fund scheme.
