Campaigners are urging the government to end an inequality on carer allowances ahead of next May’s local elections.
Councils, mayors, council leaders, a national charity, and a baroness are among the signatories of an open letter which draws attention to what is described as ‘a bizarre inequality’ at the local government level.
The campaign was highlighted as part of Carers Rights Day on Thursday, November 23.
Jane Biscombe, Town Clerk at Weymouth Town Council said: "A bizarre inequality exists that makes it difficult for carers to represent their communities as councillors on parish and town councils."
She is joining forces with other councils in Corsham, Dunstable, Falmouth, Newport Pagnell, Sevenoaks, Stroud, Swanage and Witney, national charity Carers UK, Baroness Jane Scott of Needham, mayors and council leaders to highlight this inequality which they hope the current government will take action on.
In England, borough, district, county, and unitary councillors can all claim expenses to support the cost of childcare or care for a relative or someone they live with, while they’re carrying out council duties. But town and parish councillors cannot.
Ms Biscombe added: “Government legislation doesn’t allow councils at this tier of local government to pay these expenses. A lack of effective support can make it impossible for carers to juggle caring responsibilities with work and other commitments, let alone take on the role of a councillor. As carers often feel invisible, overlooked, and discriminated against, this legislation is denying them a voice. This is unfair, and it’s undemocratic.
“All we ask is that just five words 'and Parish and Town Councils’ are added to the legislation. This small but significant change would mean so much to carers who could consider standing as a councillor next May, or even reconsider stepping down because they know there will be more support in place to carry out this vital community role. Is that too much to ask to ensure equality and respect for carers up and down the country?”
Baroness Scott of Needham Market, President of the National Association of Local Councils, said: “It simply cannot be right that unlike every other councillor in England and Wales, parish and town councillors are specifically excluded from being able to access help with childcare costs to attend meetings and perform their duties.
“I have spoken out strongly on this issue in Parliament and will continue to do so at every opportunity I get. It is simply time to right this wrong, to level up local democracy, and to give those thousands of parish and town councillors who have caring responsibilities just a little bit of much-needed help to perform their important civic role."
In November 2019 Weymouth Town Council issued a challenge to the Government to end this inequality, under the Sustainable Communities Act (SCA). Carers are still waiting for a resolution some four years later.
Full list of signatories include:
Baroness Jane Scott of Needham Market, Member of the House of Lords, President, National Association of Local Councils
Emily Holzhausen, OBE, Director of Policy, Carers UK charity
Cllr Kate Wheller, Mayor of Weymouth
Jane Biscombe, Town Clerk, Weymouth Town Council
Adam Keppel-Green, Chair and Director – North, Society of Local Council Clerks
Cllr Kirstie Edwards, Mayor of Falmouth Town Council
Cllr Liz Jones, Mayor of Dunstable
Cllr Helen Belcher, OBE, Chair of Corsham Town Council
Cllr Tina Foster, Mayor, Swanage Town Council
Shar Roselman, Town Clerk, Newport Pagnell Town Council
Cllr Claire Shea, Mayor, Sevenoaks Town Council
Cllr Ruth Smith, Leader, Witney Town Council
Cllr Stella Parkes, Mayor, Stroud Town Council
Cllr Thomas Day, Mayor of Ware Town Council
Sheridan Jacklin‑Edward, Town Clerk, Henley Town Council
Carl Cheevers, Town Clerk, Harpenden Town Council
Ian Morris, Chief Officer, Peterlee Town Council
Lance Allan BSc, Town Clerk, Trowbridge Town Council
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