I was just reading the official gren book guidelines on how expenses can be claimed and what they can and CANNOT be claimed on and why not, have a read, I can't see anything on Moats, Duck ponds, hedges, etc in there.
Members of Parliament are provided with financial support in
the form of allowances to enable them to work effectively in
Parliament and in their constituencies.
Parliamentary allowances are designed to ensure that Members
are reimbursed for costs properly incurred in the performance of
their duties. They provide support for:
employing staff (Staffing Expenditure)
provision of facilities, equipment and supplies for themselves
and their staff (Administrative and Office Expenditure)
overnight stays away from home whilst on parliamentary
duties (Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure)
communicating with constituents (Communications
Expenditure)
House stationery and postage (Stationery and Postage)
travel – between Westminster, the constituency and main
home (Travel expenditure)
The following questions are designed to assist Members in
coming to a decision about whether or not costs incurred are
appropriate to be met from the allowances:
Is this expense genuinely incurred by me in my role as a
Member of Parliament as opposed to my personal capacity?
Is this purchase supporting me in carrying out my
parliamentary duties? Defining parliamentary duties is difficult
but Members may wish to consider (i) the generally accepted
parliamentary functions: the legislative role; the oversight
1.4
Principles governing Members’ allowances
1.2
and accountability role; and the representative role, including
dealing with constituents’ problems and (ii) obligations they
may have, for example as a small employer. Anything which is
done for personal benefit or for electioneering or for the direct
support of a political party will not be part of a Member’s
parliamentary duties.
Does the claim match the purpose of the allowance in question
as set out later in the Green Book?
Could the claim in any way damage the reputation of
Parliament or its Members?
How comfortable do I feel with the knowledge that my claim
will be available to the public under Freedom of Information?
I especialy like the last 2 statements!
Members of Parliament are provided with financial support in
the form of allowances to enable them to work effectively in
Parliament and in their constituencies.
Parliamentary allowances are designed to ensure that Members
are reimbursed for costs properly incurred in the performance of
their duties. They provide support for:
employing staff (Staffing Expenditure)
provision of facilities, equipment and supplies for themselves
and their staff (Administrative and Office Expenditure)
overnight stays away from home whilst on parliamentary
duties (Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure)
communicating with constituents (Communications
Expenditure)
House stationery and postage (Stationery and Postage)
travel – between Westminster, the constituency and main
home (Travel expenditure)
The following questions are designed to assist Members in
coming to a decision about whether or not costs incurred are
appropriate to be met from the allowances:
Is this expense genuinely incurred by me in my role as a
Member of Parliament as opposed to my personal capacity?
Is this purchase supporting me in carrying out my
parliamentary duties? Defining parliamentary duties is difficult
but Members may wish to consider (i) the generally accepted
parliamentary functions: the legislative role; the oversight
1.4
Principles governing Members’ allowances
1.2
and accountability role; and the representative role, including
dealing with constituents’ problems and (ii) obligations they
may have, for example as a small employer. Anything which is
done for personal benefit or for electioneering or for the direct
support of a political party will not be part of a Member’s
parliamentary duties.
Does the claim match the purpose of the allowance in question
as set out later in the Green Book?
Could the claim in any way damage the reputation of
Parliament or its Members?
How comfortable do I feel with the knowledge that my claim
will be available to the public under Freedom of Information?
I especialy like the last 2 statements!
