Council car for staff

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 1

Council car for staff

Waimarino District Council is considering buying a car for transporting Raetihi staff to and from Ohakune. At the District Council Steering Committee meeting Wednesday March 30 it was decided that the District Manager would approach car dealers for quotes on supplying a second hand 2000cc car for transporting four Raetihi staff members to and from Ohakune. The decision was not unanimous, with five councillors voting for the motion and four voting against. Two councillors abstained. District Manager John Murrihy recommended the purchase of a car for the staff. He said under the terms of the three council amalgamation it was guarantied that staff would not be worse off after amalgamation.

Raetihi staff would obviously be out of pocket if they now had to travel to and from Ohakune at their own expense, he said. A number of solutions to the problem had been considered, including providing a taxi, using existing bus services if available and paying private car use compensation. Mr Murrihy said there was no bus service suitable, taxis were too expensive and none of the staff had vehicles available. He said if a vehicle was purchased it would not need to be suitable for high mileage as it would not be for private use. Councillors' alternative suggestions included paying staff a kilometre rate on travel expenses and using present council staff cars. Mr Murrihy said both

existing staff cars were unavailable as they were provided for the users as part of their contracts. A number of councillors questioned the wisdom of supplying a car. "Looking at this realistically, as long as there is at least one of the four people on the staff a car will have to be provided," said Councillor Peggy Frew. Councillor Bruce Thompson suggested if the number of staff to be provided with the transport dropped to one the council could possibly negotiate with that person. He also suggested the car could be used by the council building inspector. Councillor Tom Punch said a per kilometre rate of travel expenses would be tidier to wind up if some of the four left. 1 Turn P.4

Car for staff

From p. 1 Councillor Errol Sue asked Mr Murrihy how long he saw the capital investment having to I last for. He suggested ' the purchase of a mini bus which could be used for other council activities. Councillor Dave Grif1 fiths suggested the staff j members concerned be j paid 20 cents per kilo- \ metre. "Then they can suit themselves and if they all come in the one vehicle then they're winning," said Cr Griffiths. "We can set any rate we like but only if it is agreed to by those staff," said Mayor Workman. Cr Frew said the council should set a rate and that it would be not negotiable.

Mr Murrihy said they couldn't do that as the council was obliged to see to it that staff were not out of pocket. "Could I move that the Raetihi Staff be reimbursed 20 cents per kilometre as a travelling rate?" said Cr Griffiths. After Mayor Workman called for a seconder Mr Murrihy said there was an act of parliament which stated the staff could not be worse off after restructuring. Cr Frew seconded Cr Griffiths motion. Councillor Tom Punch moved for an amendment to the motion that the rate be the standard for a 2000cc car. There was no seconder for his amendment Cr Griffiths said the

vehicle purchase would not work, that if the staff came in one car there would be problems with staff having different travelling times. The motion was lost when put to the vote of councillors. Councillor Doug Bennett then moved that the council approach vehicle dealers for quotes to supply a second hand 2000cc car for transport of the four Raetihi staff. After the motion was carried Mayor Workman said: "This particular purchase will not be condoned by the public." Cr Ken Summerhays recommended to the council that the call for tenders be specific about the intended use of the vehicle.