Councillor pay rises decided after ruling from Remuneration Authority

The remuneration increases for South Waikato district councillors have been finalised.

During last Thursday’s council meeting councillors approved the proposed change in the distribution of the councillor remuneration pool after the death of councillor Barrie Herlihy.

Mayor Neil Sinclair said: ‘‘ We have had the ruling from the Remuneration Authority.

‘‘If we had have actually appointed someone to fill that, the sad passing of Councillor Herlihy, if we had of appointed someone there, [they] would have automatically picked up that money.’’

Had council appointed an individual to fill the vacancy, they would not have started until next month.

After the motion was moved and seconded, deputy mayor Jenny Shattock told her colleagues she would donate her increase to the Salvation Army.

‘‘I know there has been a lot of emotion out there, and I don’t usually do this and I could been seen to be grandstanding but I am going to let the rest of the elected members know that my increase from councillor Herlihy, I have already set up an automatic payment and the total amount will be going to the Salvation Army. So, I usually don’t tell people what I do with my salary but I know that there are others of you who are doing the same.’’

The approved increases will see the deputy mayor position held by Mrs Shattock receiving the largest increase per elected member from from $26,436 to $29,118.

Corporate and Environment, Community and Assets and Hearings Committees chairman Herman van Rooijen’s salary will increase from $25,080 to $27,624, and Grants Committee chair councillor Brenda Watkins salary will move from $ 21,349 to $23,515. Other councillors’ salary rises from $18,889 to $20,805.