A report detailing the councillors' pay rise is set to go across the councillors' table. Photo / Michael Cunningham
A report detailing the councillors' pay rise is set to go across the councillors' table. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Whangārei's councillors will have the chance to make a statement over their externally set pay rises.
A report detailing the councillors' pay rises - set by the Remuneration Authority - will be presented at the full council meeting tomorrow where Mayor Sheryl Mai plans to take action.
"I will be suggesting that our council write to the Prime Minister asking her to treat local government the same as central government in freezing the pay rates."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced plans last week to freeze the salaries of MPs while a review of the pay-setting system was carried out. The authority had recommended MPs get a 3 per cent pay rise backdated to July 1.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has also said she would be writing to the Prime Minister requesting a freeze on pay rates.
The Taxpayers' Union has written to every local councillor and mayor in the country, challenging them to follow the Prime Minister's lead and freeze their pay rates until local government finances are brought under control.
Mayor Sheryl Mai will suggest writing a letter to Prime Minister over freezing pay rates. Photo / Michael Cunningham
The Taxpayers Union letter explains councillors would not have to overrule the Remuneration Authority but personally choose not to accept increased remuneration this year by instructing the chief executive to return the additional remuneration to the council's consolidated fund.
"We have offered each a template they can use to instruct their chief executive to return any additional remuneration to the council's consolidated fund.
"Remuneration around the council chamber should reflect the pressures currently faced by ratepayers. This wouldn't just save money – it would give elected members a powerful incentive to more carefully manage finances, as ratepayers across the country do every day."
The Taxpayers Union was looking forward to publically identifying and congratulating elected officials who take this step.
Mai confirmed she had received the letter, but would not be asking to have her remuneration returned to the council, instead preferring to be the "master of her own destiny".
"I already support a number of local initiatives and I will continue to do that."
She said the pay rise gives her the chance to do that some more.
Mai said it was up to individual councillors what they choose to do.
Under the latest determination, Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai will get a 3.3 per cent pay rise, taking her salary from $139,881 to $144,526 for the 2018/19 financial year. Deputy mayor Sharon Morgan and standing committee chairs will get a 2.9 per cent increase, from $60,684 to $62,493.
Other councillors will also receive the 2.9 per cent increase, taking their pay from $48,548 to $49,995.
