Cars for councillors

Gosford councillors have voted to provide themselves with council cars.

The cars would be "comparable to those provided to Council managers for the discharge of their functions of civic office providing the maximum profit to Council", according to the resolution put as a notice of motion by Cr Malcolm Brooks.

Councillors will be asked to reimburse the council for "any expenses incurred in private pursuits".

The council's policies will be changed to include details of what activities are considered to be those required for councillors to discharge their functions of civic office and will be advertised in accordance with the Local Government Act.

In the background to his notice of motion, Cr Brooks said: "My proposition at minimal cost to Council provides some recognition and compensation of the work and hours councillors spend in trying to administer the 1029 sq km of our city.

"Another reason for my proposal is to ensure that members of the community are encouraged and not inhibited from standing for election to Council.

"Councillors are called upon by the demands of their office to an ever increasing role of community consultation in an endeavour to provide a high quality service to their electors as well as being available when those electors have issues to address.."

He said Gosford Council was one of the biggest in NSW with an annual budget of about $200 million.

He compared Gosford where the allowance to councillors was $14,000 to the Gold Coast where the allowance was $64,356 with superannuation and unrestricted use of a motor vehicle was provided.

He said councillors' council-related car costs were currently about $4000 each a year, even though only $8900 was claimed in mileage by councillors.

He said Holden VX Berlina sedans were most profitable to Council returning a profit of $2088 on purchase price after two years (because of tax concessions available to the council).

Council agenda, March 27