Rodney Stevens
Clarence Valley Councillors will vote on a motion to adopt a pay increase following the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal’s determination that a 3 per-cent increase be payable to Mayor and councillor fees in the next financial year.
The Local Government Act requires council to fix and pay an annual fee to councillors and mayors from 1 July 2023 based on the Tribunal’s determination for the 2023/2024 financial year.
Councillors can elect to set their fees at either the maximum rate prescribed for the category or a lesser rate, either at or above the minimum category, but no higher than the maximum determined by the Tribunal.
If the council doesn’t set a fee, the council must pay the minimum amount determined by the Tribunal.
The Tribunal determines the classification of councils every three years, with Clarence Valley Council CVC classified as a Regional Centre in 2023.
Currently, all elected councillors receive $24,810, which would increase to $25,554 if the three per-cent rise is adopted.
In June 2020, Council resolved to make Deputy Mayoral allowance $7,000 for the year to June 30, 2021, the council resolved to apply the Tribunal Determined increase of 2% to provide $7140 for the year to June 30, 2022.
This would see the Deputy Mayor’s allowance for the 2023/2024 financial year increase from $31,950 to $32,908.
The Mayor’s allowance would increase from $78,950 to $81,318, resulting in a total annual renumeration increase to councillors of $8354, from $284,570 in 2022/2023 to $293,104 in 2023/2024.
Alternatively, if councillors vote to adopt the maximum increase in fees payable, this adds $14,450 to the total renumeration, bringing it to $299,020 for the 2023/2024 financial year.
Voting to adopt the maximum increase for 2023/2024 would see councillors paid $26,070, the Deputy Mayor $33,424, and the Mayor $83,106.
At the May 23 CVC meeting councillors will vote on the officer’s recommendation that:
- Council note the determination of the Tribunal.
- Fees payable to the elected members increase by 3% for the 2023/2024 financial year.
- The Deputy Mayor’s allowance be $7,140 plus 3% to be funded from the Mayor’s allowance.
The CV Independent will report on the result of the motion in the May 31 edition.