This statement reflects the key provisions and parameters set out in the council’s relocation policy. The latter will take precedence in the event of any inconsistencies. The scheme applies to all permanent appointments. The scheme does not extend to schools.
To be eligible, candidates should be an overseas applicant or currently live outside the outer southeast area - i.e., outside Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, East and West Sussex, Surrey.
Candidates may only claim the relocation allowance once during their employment with Bromley.
Bromley reserves the right to flex the provision for the good of the council and its service delivery interest.
How much relocation allowance is available?
Up to £8,000 in total is available subject to approval and claims up to this amount must be made within one year of appointment start date. Candidates may only claim the relocation allowance once during their employment with Bromley.
The following factors may be taken into account:
- whether recruitment and/or retention of key workers is problematic
- travel options associated costs and accessibility
- whether the individual is considering relocating to the borough
- whether the individual is selling and buying a property, buying or renting a property
There may be occasions that require further flexibility and necessitate offering additional finances to staff to support them taking up their employment with Bromley. In these cases, decisions will be taken jointly by the service Director and Human Resources as to the nature of payments and rationale.
What can I spend it on?
The sum granted, if any, is to fund actual expenses incurred in connection with working for the council and/or living in the borough following relocation from overseas. This may include but is not limited to:
- Visa Application Fees
- Flights to the UK
- Taxi from UK airport to temporary accommodation
- Hotel/temporary accommodation bills whilst home searching
- Rental costs
- Removal and storage costs
- Costs associated with commuting to the office/Costs associated with overnight accommodation to assist with normal commuting to the office
- Solicitor’s fees
- Estate agent’s fees
- Stamp duty
- Land registry and search
- Mortgage fees/payments
- Surveyor’s fees
Please refer to the London Borough of Bromley relocation allowance list for additional details.
How do I claim?
You should discuss your interest in the relocation allowance when you are offered employment with the council. If your acceptance of the appointment is conditional upon relocation benefits being approved, you must put a claim in writing as soon as possible with details of the benefits requested.
Approval may be given in principle where full details of the claim are not known/available. Please note that all claims will be subject to deductions such as tax, National Insurance and if you are electing to be in the Local Government Pension Scheme then pension deductions may also apply.
Once your claim for the relocation allowance has been approved, you will be able to make your claims via the council’s MyView HR Self-Service system once you start in the service. All claims must be supported by evidence of the expenses incurred, including receipts where applicable, for tax and audit purposes.
Payments should be claimed within 12 months from the date of appointment for new employees and from the date of authorisation for existing employees.
All claims must be made on a monthly basis, with all receipts attached, each authorised and agreed by the line manager via My View (HR Self-Service). At this time the line manager must ensure that the claims are valid and that the cumulative total does not exceed the total relocation allowance amount allowed. The line manager should then forward the claim form (with receipts attached) to HR Business Services. Once processed on MyView, the claim form will then be placed on the employee's personal file for audit purposes.
The line manager holds responsibility for ensuring that full and accurate records are kept in support of all payments and that all claims are allowable expenses and that the employee meets the eligible criteria.
Am I able to access a cash advance when I start work?
Any claims which require a cash advance will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your receiving service may then arrange for the funds to be given to you in cash on arrival.
Do I have to pay anything back?
No, not unless you leave our employment within a 2 year period. Your contract has a legal declaration contained within it which you will be required to sign confirming the repayment provisions. Breaching these provisions is a serious matter and may impact on any future employment within the UK.