$43k poured into Bay tourism

Tauranga City Council has today agreed to increase the remuneration given to Tourism Bay of Plenty trustees at a total cost of more than $43,000 a year.

The council initiated the review to ensure that the level of remuneration aligned with the value the trustees brought to the board, and because their remuneration hadn't changed in many years.

The rationale for appropriate remuneration is based on a methodology developed by Auckland Council. Tauranga City Council agreed to increase the trustee remuneration with the lower end of the methodology.

The trustees will receive an annual remuneration of $7500, the deputy chair $9375, and the chair $15,000. The total increase of the change is $43,375, which will be included in the 2016/17 Annual Plan. The remuneration will commence July 1, 2016.

The council said the decision was made in order to attract and retain talented and qualified trustees. Tourism Bay of Plenty has an aspirational target to increase visitor spend to $1billion, strong governance and leadership will help to achieve this goal.

The council has not reviewed the other Council Controlled Organisations. The Tauranga Art Gallery trustees' remuneration was reviewed in February 2015, while it was agreed that director's remuneration for Bay Venues Limited would be reviewed through a Council-led board review in 2017/18.

The council is currently recruiting for a new chairperson and two new trustees for the Tourism Bay of Plenty board, with applications closing Friday, March 25. It was expected that increasing the remuneration will assist in recruiting these new trustees.