Care allowances
9.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a scheme may provide for the payment to a member of the authority who is a councillor of an allowance (“care allowance”) in respect of such expenses of arranging for the care of children or dependants as are necessarily incurred in the carrying out of that member’s duties as a member.
(2) A scheme made under this Part must not provide for the payment of —
(a)a care allowance in respect of any child over the age of fifteen years or dependant unless the member satisfies the authority that the child or dependant required supervision which has caused the member to incur expenses that were necessary in respect of the care of that child or dependant in the carrying out of that members duties as a member;
(b)a care allowance to more than one member of the authority in relation to the care of the same child or dependant; or
(c)more than one care allowance to any member of the authority who is unable to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the authority that the member has to make separate arrangements for the care of different children or dependants.
(3) The amount of entitlement in respect of a member who is a councillor of an authority by way of care allowance must not, subject to regulation 11 and paragraphs (1) to (3) of regulation 12, exceed the amount prescribed by the Panel for that authority in—
(a)other than where sub-paragraph (b) applies, the initial report in pursuance of regulation 34(1)(b)(iii);
(b)a supplementary report, the relevant provisions of which for the time being apply.
(4) A scheme must specify that where a member is suspended or partially suspended from that member’s responsibilities or duties as a member of an authority in accordance with Part III of the Local Government Act 2000 or regulations made under that Part, the part of care allowance payable to that member in respect of the responsibilities or duties from which that member is suspended or partially suspended must be withheld by the authority.