Section 9 Miscellaneous Allowances

9.1 Spoilt meals and Refreshments

Guidance: Spoilt meal allowances may be claimed where a meal has been prepared but is interrupted by an incident call requiring it to be kept warm in an oven for more than 30 minutes making it inedible as a result.

Meals or refreshments that are necessary may be provided whilst on duty at an incident at no cost to the individual (Emergency Catering).

Spoilt meal allowances may not be claimed where refreshments are subsequently provided at an incident within a reasonable time of turn out to the incident.

The designated normal times for meals applicable to Wholetime stations are:


	Mon-Fri	Sat-Sun
Breakfast	0800-0830
Lunch	1300-1400
Supper (Not applicable to day crewed)	2200-2300	2100-2200

For day crewed stations an evening meal may be claimed at the supper rate between 1730-1830 hours.

If the normal time for a meal has been changed due to attending an earlier incident, or for a pre planned purpose, by the OIC, this must be stated on the claim.

FDS Officers may claim 50% of the appropriate subsistence allowance where a meal they have prepared is spoilt due to an incident call.



Rate	See Appendix D
Applicable to	W/T, FDS, Day Crewed.
SAM ref	2-5
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 5
Green book ref.

9.2 Detached Duties Catering Allowance

Guidance: Personnel carrying out detached duties for up to one shift will not pay catering fees. The watch caterer will be responsible for claiming reimbursement from petty cash in accordance with approved rates. In excess of one shift, catering arrangements must be pre-arranged and the individual concerned will make payment to the caterer.



Rate	See Appendix D
Applicable to	W/T,
SAM ref	2-5
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 7
Green book ref.

9.3 Telephone Allowances

Guidance: Where a member of staff is issued with a mobile telephone for use in connection with their official duties, they will be expected to repay the cost of all private calls made.

OICs at Retained Stations, FDS Officers and other designated postholders, qualify for an monthly telephone allowance for using their home telephone for Service business use.

Officers are expected to make a realistic assessment of their business use.



Rate	To calculate this allowance all business calls must be recorded/itemised for a period of 3 months on the appropriate form, together with a copy of the quarterly line rental bill and submitted to Personnel Department. The allowance will be backdated accordingly.
Applicable to	All
SAM ref	2-9
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 5
Green book ref.

9.4 Driving Licence Allowance

Guidance: A member of staff who is required to drive heavy goods vehicles, public service vehicle or undertake the duties of a driving instructor may recover the initial and renewal costs of these specific licences. The Service will also reimburse the costs incurred with taking any associated theory tests.



Rate
Applicable to	All
SAM ref	1-13
Grey book ref	Sec. IX para 19
Green book ref.	Parts 2.13

9.5 Loss Or Damage To Private Property

Guidance: A claim may be made for reimbursement in respect of damage or loss to private property, such as clothing and personal effects, sustained whilst on authorised Fire Service duties, subject to the individual’s negligence not contributing to the loss. Damage to vehicles should be claimed via your insurance provider.



Rate
Applicable to	All
SAM ref	1-16
Grey book ref	Sec. IX para 15
Green book ref.

9.6 First Aider Allowance For Non-Uniformed Staff

Guidance: Qualified First Aiders who are designated to undertake First Aid in their workplace, will be entitled to a First Aider allowance.



Rate
Applicable to	NU
SAM ref
Grey book ref
Green book ref.	Parts 3,2.2.4

9.7 Workshops Tool Allowance

Guidance: Craftsmen who supply and use their own tools for carrying out their duties in the Workshop shall have such tools which are worn out or unserviceable through fair wear and tear replaced by the Service.

Applications to have a tool replaced must be made direct to the Workshops Manager at the beginning of each month.

The worn out or replaced tool will become the property of the Service and the new tool will become the property of the craftsman



Rate
Applicable to	NU
SAM ref
Grey book ref
Green book ref.

9.8 Control Staff (Female) Stocking And Shoe Allowance

Guidance:

Stocking Allowance - Female members of the control room are entitled to a stocking allowance. Upon appointment arrangements for payment will automatically be made by the HR Operations ayroll team. Male colleagues will be provided with socks.

Shoe Allowance – Female members of the control room will be eligible to claim £32 towards the purchase of shoes. A receipt must be attached to the claim form. In lieu of this allowance 12 points will be deducted from the individuals clothing points allowance. Male colleagues will be provided with shoes via the Supplies Department based on the current points arrangements.



Rate	Stocking Allowance is £8.50 per month
Applicable to	Control
SAM ref
Grey book ref	6.5 para 9
Green book ref.

9.9 Course Attendance - Green And Grey Book Staff

Please be advised that the following provisions have been made for all employees to attend training courses:

1 Green Book (Full Time) to Grey Book (Retained)

1.1 When the course the individual is required to attend is a requirement of their full-time role (Green book), they should be released from duty for the duration of the course in order to attend, subject to the exigencies of the Service.

1.2 When the course the individual is required to attend is a requirement of their retained role (Grey book), subject to exigencies of the Service, they are permitted to choose one of the following two options;

1.2.1 Being released from duty in their full-time (Green book) role and continue to be paid at that rate (if this rate is higher than Grey book rates of pay for retained employees).

1.2.2 Take unpaid leave in their full-time (Green book) role for the duration of the course and claim the period of course attendance at their normal retained (Grey book) rate of pay.

2 Grey Book (Retained)

The current arrangement will continue, i.e. where the course the employee is to attend is a requirement of their retained (Grey book) role, they will be paid at their normal Grey book rate of pay and be allowed to claim any loss of earnings beyond their normal Grey book role.

3 Grey Book (Wholetime)

The current arrangement will continue, i.e. where the course the employee is to attend is a requirement of their wholetime (Grey book) role, they should be released from duty, subject to the exigencies of the Service, and paid at their normal Grey book rate of pay.

4 Green Book (Full Time)

The current arrangement will continue, i.e. where the course the employee is to attend is a requirement of their full time (Green book) role, they should be released from duty, subject to the exigencies of the Service, and paid at their normal Green book rate of pay.

5 Grey Book (Wholetime) to Grey Book (Retained)

Employees should be released from duty, subject to the exigencies of the Service, and paid at the appropriate Grey book rate of pay.

6 Control (Green and Grey Book) to Grey Book (Retained) or Green Book

6.1 When the course the employee is required to attend is a requirement of their Control role, they should be released from duty, for the duration of the course, subject to the exigencies of the Service.

6.2 When the course the employee is required to attend is a requirement of their retained (Grey book) role, subject to exigencies of the Service, they are permitted to choose one of the following two options:

6.2.1 Being released from duty in their Control role and continue to be paid at that rate (if this rate is higher than Grey book rates of pay for retained employees).

6.2.2 Take unpaid leave from their Control role for the duration of the course and claim the period of course attendance at their normal retained (Grey book) or Green book rate of pay.

7 Green Book (Full Time) to Green Book (Part Time)

Employees should be released from duty, subject to the exigencies of the Service, and paid at the appropriate rate of pay.

8 Pension Implications of Unpaid Leave

Where employee’s choose to take unpaid leave to attend courses (as outlined above), unless the course exceeds 30 days in duration, there will be no impact on pensions. Periods of unpaid leave are considered separately and will not be added together.

9 Rates of Pay

Employees with more than one contract of employment with the Service who are released from their full-time (Green book) role to attend a course required by their Grey book role have the option to claim the Grey book rate of pay if higher than their full-time Green book rate of pay. This higher rate will be calculated by adding the difference between their Grey book rate of pay to their full-time (Green book) rate of pay.