Claims for travel, child care costs and other reimbursements paid to councillors will soon be available on the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s website.

This follows a request by Cr Cameron Grundy “in the interest of openness and transparency”.

CEO Trevor Smart raised the issue of member allowances and benefits in his monthly report at the council’s December 22 meeting, suggesting the policy be updated with some changes.

His changes included the travel time allowance that was now payable to councillors.

That was in addition to any travel costs/reimbursement for km travelled to and from various meetings, events, functions and gatherings for council related business.

Councillors could also claim accommodation and other costs while away on council business if it was pre-approved.

The other change listed by Mr Smart included the provision of a mobile phone to the mayor. Instead of the council providing a phone to mayor Patrick Ross, he would receive an allowance for using his own phone, which he was happy to do.

Mr Smart said it was cost neutral.

In his report Mr Smart also highlighted the Remuneration Tribunal Determination in relation to Elected Members’ Allowances.

According to the determination, Naracoorte Lucindale Council was ranked as a Group 3 council along with Tatiara and Wattle Range, while Robe and Kingston were Level 5 councils.

For their time and effort each week, elected members in Group 3 councils each receive around $300 – $15,381 per year.

If a councillor is also a presiding member of a committee, an extra $188 per meeting is paid, capped at $1,129 per year.

Under the determination, the mayor of a Group 3 council is paid four times that of an elected member – $61,524 annually.

A deputy mayor receives around $370 per week – $19,2226 per year – 1.25 times that of an elected member.

Travelling, child care, accommodation, meals and other reimbursements are paid to each councillor under council’s policy, if they put in a claim.

Cr Grundy: “Regarding (the) policy updates, member allowances and benefits policy, do payments require supporting documentation – for example, invoices where third parties are involved, and that is to say suppliers?”

He further asked if those respective payments were available for public viewing, “and if so where, and how often are they updated?”

“I’m talking about, specifically, for each councillor,” Cr Grundy said.

“From a personal perspective I consider I am paid by the ratepayer and in the interest of openness and transparency, I want to see a situation where my allowance and associated claims to council are public information.”

Mr Smart said “Yes, they probably may be made available on the register of expenses.”

He said it was “in the annual report each year what those amounts are as well.”

Cr Grundy: “In respect to councillors?”

Mr Smart: “In respect to councillors, yes.”

Mayor Ross: “Cr Grundy, does that satisfy your enquiry?”

Cr Grundy: “It does thank you.”

There was no further comment or debate about the matter.

At the time of press, a Register of Expenses was not yet available on the council’s website.

Under the heading of “Registers” on the council’s website there is a register of Gifts and Benefits, which has not been updated for three years.

Last updated in March 2019 – it referred to an estimated $140 lunch at Government House for two people.

A register of Gifts and Benefits for council employees was last updated in December 2019 where a box of beer was given to a council manager as a Christmas thank you gift.

A Register of Interests for Elected Members was last updated in February 2021.

Council’s Register of Conflicts of Interest by elected members was recently updated.

The most recent listing was on January 24 this year, in relation to the nominations of members for the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange.

Also updated following the last council meeting on January 24 was a register for confidential items – included was a CEO report and a contract.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.