Top council pay reviewed

Ruapehu Bulletin, 3 August 1993, Page 6

Top council pay reviewed

The terms of the Chief Executive's contract with the Ruapehu District Council were reviewed by the council at its 30 June meeting and the outcome released last Friday. The Council expressed satisfaction with Mr Houston's performance over the last year and resolved to renew his contract for a further period of three years. "The Council is most appreciative of the management leadership exercised by Cliff Houston which has led over the last four years to a considerable strengthening of the Council' s financial position and ability to deliver service to its customers," said mayor Garrick Workman in a press release. One of the conditions of the contract provides that remuneration is to be reviewed annually and compared with other similar

positions in the country. Surveys undertaken by salary consultants showed that the package provided by the Council was below the norm for the past three years although both in 1991 and 1992 the Chief Executive declined any opportunity for an increase as

neither he nor the Council considered a salary increase appropriate. "However I wish to make it clear that the lack of any movement did not represent any dissatisfaction with his performance." Mr Workman said both

parties to the contract agreed that a review would be appropriate this year. The position reached, by agreement, was that a car would be provided to the Chief Executive for both business and private use in lieu of a further salary review until 1996. This

agreement suited both parties as extensive travelling is a part of the position. "The Council looks forward to working with Cliff Houston for a further contract term on the same positive base that has always prevailed," concluded Mr Workman.