Council sticks to present pay

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 509, 26 October 1993, Page 5

Council sticks to present pay

Councillors were askedat their October meeting to consider the question of remuneration for Ruapehu District councillors elected members: mayor, deputy mayor, members of council, community board members and community board chairpersons. They decided to keep the status quo. The review was in accordance with a decision taken a year ago at the newly elected council's first meeting on 6 November that they would review remuneration levels in November 1993. These were set in 1992 as follows: mayor' s salary $40,00, deputy mayor $10,000; councillors $3,000; community board chairpersons $2,500;. com-

munity board members receive no salary but get a meeting allowance (as do all other salaried councillors with the exception of the mayor) of $85 per meeting. Cr June Baker (a newly elected councillor in 1992) asked if Council 'workshop' sessions (as opposed to formal meetings) could be recognised as qualifying for some form of remuneration. "A lot of councillors' time is taken up with these workshop sessions and I have attended many workshops in order to become a better, and better-informed councillor," she said. Ruapehu District Council corporate services director said workshops were not

considered to be ordinary or special meetings or other forums within the meaning of the Act and therefore no remuneration was available. Cr Graeme Cosford said it was his understanding that the workload of councillors would be reduced following amalgamation but this has not been the case.

He said it was regrettable that some very able people are precluded from serving on Council because of this workload. "They can't afford to attend or have job commitments which would cost them income." "When I stop work to attend meetings my income

also stops." In a humorous dig at some of his fellow councillors he said "I don't have sheep which continue to eat while I' m sitting here on Council." However, he agreed with the other councillors that he must accept some sacrifice in order to serve the Community on the council.