Councillors have asked for pay-backs of up to $500 a night for accommodation and meals in their proposed policy on being reimbursed for the costs of their civic duties.
But they would have to pay for their own alcohol.
Travel costs can rise to $27,500 a year but each Councillor must travel economy for any flights under three hours and only premium economy for longer flights.
Below is the list of cash-backs they are proposing.
General travel arrangements and expenses.
Up to a total of $12,500 per Councillor per year.
Interstate, overseas and long distance intrastate travel expenses
A maximum of $15,000 per Councillor per year
Accommodation and meals
A maximum of $500 per Councillor per night
Professional development and Conferences and Seminars
Combined: $12,000 per Councillor per year.
Special requirement and carer expenses
A maximum of $8,000 per Councillor per year.
Additional facilities for the Mayor
Travel expenses, vehicle for official duties, newspaper subscription, partner attendance at selected events.
These expenses mean the Councillors would have to spend the money to get the money back.
They would have to provide receipts for reimbursement within three months of an expense being incurred or they don’t get paid.
The policy suggests that expenses reports would be publicly tabled at a Council meeting every six months and published in full on Council’s website. These reports would include expenditure by individual Councillor.
Councillors would not be allowed to get private or political benefit from any expense and they would have to seek approval from the chief executive officer for any travel interstate or long distance.
Overseas travel would have to be approved by a full council meeting.
The public can have its say about the expenses proposal which is on council’s webpage.
Submissions will be accepted until 5pm Thursday 30 November by email ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au(External link).
This is democracy in action, people: have your say.
PS: Each Councillor is paid a salary of $28,950 a year with the Mayor, Jane Smith, earning an additional amount of almost $75,000 and the deputy, Chris Holstein, earning an additional payment of about $8,000.
– Merilyn Vale
