24 June 2020
At the Wednesday 23 June 2020 General
Council Meeting, Councillors resolved to accept no remuneration increase and
remain at the same level of remuneration as per the 2018 Annual Report of the
Local Government Remuneration Commission.
Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor
Vic Pennisi said that Council believed the role of Councillors should reflect
the community they represent, and remuneration should be included in that
reflection.
“There are a lot of small businesses
and individuals who have experienced a lot of financial instability throughout
the drought and COVID-19. Councillors believe that accepting a pay increase
when our community has felt such acute financial pain is not appropriate,” said
Mayor Vic Pennisi.
“The Local Government Remuneration
Commission determines a legal maximum, but this recommendation does not take
into account the nuances of every community. It is the role of the Councillors
to determine objectively if this is appropriate for their local government
areas.
“Councillors and I believe that the
money earmarked for a pay rise would be better spent in other areas of
Council.”
Each year, the Local Government
Remuneration Commission decides the maximum amount of remuneration payable to
the various categories of local government. Unless Council decides by
resolution that the maximum amount is not payable, then the maximum remuneration
schedule is applicable.
Additionally, a resolution must be
made determining the amount payable to Councillors, which cannot be more than
the maximum amount of remuneration payable to the Councillors under the
remuneration schedule. Southern Downs Councillors have voted to maintain the
same level of remuneration indicated in the 2018 Annual Report.
For more information on Council news,
visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/news.
Alternatively, call 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372), email mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au,
or use the MySDRC app.