[Ed Hammond]

My understanding is that although some authorities have changed procedures around staff travel and member travel in recent months, this has often been ad hoc and has not come as the result (for example) of cost-benefit analyses around where staff travel may, in fact, be required.

In most instances this seems to have involved the requirement that staff travel and/or attendance at conference needs to be signed off by a chief officer. Some authorities have stated that no travel at all will be permitted outside the authority's region.

For member travel, similar restrictions apply. Often this goes in tandem with a requirement that members must always travel standard class.

I am sure that, in tightening these things up, authorities are also looking at the use of the Essential Car User Allowance and other provisions for claiming back for private car use "in borough".

As you'll appreciate, the above is from vague conversations I have had with people at various events about this issue and is by no means comprehensive! Other colleagues will be in a position to provide more detail for specific authorities.