Georges River Council’s draft policy for the payment of expenses for the new mayor and councillors is now out on public exhibition.
According to a council report, the draft policy is proposed to provide “reasonable expenses and facilities required by our elected mayor and councillors in order to effectively exercise their functions on behalf of the community.”
The purpose of the policy is to “ensure accountability and transparency in the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by councillors.”
The council is required under the Local Government Act to adopt an expenses policy.
The draft policy sets out the maximum amounts the council will pay for specific expenses and facilities.
Proposed expenses for councillors on the future Georges River Council include:
General travel expenses, $1000 per councillor per year, $2000 for the mayor, per year.
Interstate, overseas and long distance intrastate travel expenses will be $10,000 total for all councillors per year.
Accommodation and meals, as per the NSW Crown Employees Award.
Spouses and accompanying persons, $200 per councillor per year.
Professional development $1000 per councillor per year.
Conferences and seminars $45,000 for all councillors per year.
ICT expenses, $2500 per councillor per term.
Call plans and data $200 per councillor per month plus an additional $200 per month for the mayor.
Carer expenses $3000 per councillor per year.
Briefcase $200 per councillor per term.
Postage stamps and postage $2000 per councilor per year and $1500 additional for the mayor.
The draft expenses policy is on public exhibition for comment until July 13, before going back to the council for consideration of public submissions.