Relocation expenses will be granted at the discretion of the appropriate Strategic Team Member.

1.1.1 AIM

The aim of the scheme is for the Council to provide assistance to employees who need to move to take up an appointment with the Council.

1.1.2 ELIGIBILITY

Employees taking up their first appointment with the Council may qualify for consideration for an allowance provided that:

• Appointment is to a permanent post
• At the time of the appointment the employee does not reside within a 20 mile radius of their new place of employment
• Applicants must move within a 25 miles radius (measured in a straight line over land) of their new place of employment
• Re-settlement must be completed within 12 months of taking up the appointment.

1.1.3 SCHEME

The sum of £5000 (exclusive of VAT) is the maximum figure that can be claimed and the total of all the claims must not exceed £5000.

The allowance is payable at the discretion of the appropriate Strategic Team Member in consultation with the Head of Human Resources.

The scheme covers:-

• Removal expenses (based on the lowest of three quotations)
• Professional fees incurred in the rental and purchase of property e.g. estate agents, solicitors, search fees, stamp duty and valuation fees
• Lodging and travelling expenses
• Weekend travelling costs to existing home
• Incidental expenses connected with moving house.

Resident Managers relocating between schemes in the district will only be entitled to claim reimbursement of removal expenses, based on the lowest of three quotes.

Note:-In exceptional circumstances the Strategic Team Member may determine different allowances in individual cases.

1.1.4 REPAYMENT

Employees voluntarily leaving the employment of the Council for any reason other than redundancy or pregnancy within two years of appointment will be required to re-pay a proportion of all expenses as follows:-

Less than one year 100%

Less than two years 50%

1.1.5 GUIDANCE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE RELOCATION SCHEME

1.1.5.1 REMOVAL EXPENSES

100% reimbursement of the cost of one removal based on the lowest of three quotations, SDC to be invoiced directly by the Company.

In the event of a person entering the UK, the person’s home will be assumed to be no further than the point of entry into the UK

If the person wishes to undertake the move themselves, the cost of hiring a van based on the lowest of three quotations will be fully reimbursed on the production of appropriate receipts.

1.1.5.2 PROFESSIONAL FEES

The Council will assist in the reimbursement of fees incurred in the purchase, lease or rental of a property within the mileage radius outlined in the scheme and legal expenses and one valuation and or survey fee for the new property.

Invoices must be charged directly to SDC, who will ensure prompt payment.

All of these sums must be within the overall maximum claimable under the scheme.

1.1.6 TO ALL EMPLOYEES CLAIMING REMOVAL AND RESETTLEMENT EXPENSES

Invoices MUST be obtained for ALL goods and services, where the total amount is £100 or more. These invoices must be charged to Stroud District Council, which we will then promptly pay.

Invoices for Relocation Expenses

To ensure SDC can reclaim VAT on relocation expenses and therefore enable employees to be charged with only the VAT exclusive amount all invoices must include the following information.

Show the name, address and VAT registration number of the supplier

Be addressed to Stroud District Council

Customer's name and address

Have the word "Invoice" on it

Show the date of supply

Description of goods and/or services supplied

Amount of discount (if agreed)

VAT rate

Net total (total amount before VAT)

VAT total (total amount of VAT charges)

Grand total (net plus VAT)

Receipts for Relocation Expenses

Receipts are acceptable for goods and services less then £100. The employee can submit a VAT receipt that shows the same information as invoices excluding Stroud District Council name, also the word Invoice and Invoice Number. The receipt must also show clearly that it has been paid.

If the total value of the invoice is less than £100 the VAT amount need not be shown separately, but the rate of VAT must be shown.

Any queries or doubts please contact Human Resources on human.resources@stroud.gov.uk or (01453) 754271