Councillors pay themselves the maximum

Gosford Council will pay its mayor and councillors the maximum allowed for the 2013-14 financial year.

Councillors will now receive $22,240 per year while the mayor will receive $59,100 per year.

The minimum and maximum fees to be paid to councillors, members of county councils, chairpersons of county councils and mayors are determined under the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

The Tribunal undertook a Review of the minimum and maximum fee levels this year.

The Tribunal did not call for general submissions from individual councils as part of the 2013 Annual Review, however, councils were advised that they were still able to raise any issues of concern relevant to the review.

The Tribunal received three submissions from individual councils, including one from Gosford Council.

The submissions sought consideration of matters including a determination of the maximum statutory increase of 2.5 per cent as permitted by the legislation, a benchmark of mayoral and councillor fees with that of a State Member of Parliament and the introduction of a professional remuneration structure for councillors to improve accountability and performance.

The Tribunal reviewed the key economic indicators and found that a full increase of the 2.5 per cent available to it was warranted.

Gosford Council Agenda COR.43, 4 Jun 2013