‘Ridiculous allowances for councillors’
Knysna councillors accepted the maximum salary increases and to increase their cellphone allowances from R1 900 to R3 500 – backdated to July 2017 – at a council meeting held last week, 25 January.
What is outrageous, say politicians not in agreement with the phone allowance, is that it is to be given as a stipend, which means that this money could be used for anything at all as councillors need not account for their phone bills.
A ridiculous amount of money for cellphones,” said Knysna’s Cope and Ward 6 councillor Ricky van Aswegen who also pointed out the difference between that which a part-time and full-time councillor earns and asked that his objections be minuted.
“One can understand that a ward councillor who is doing a proper job, meaning being constantly available to his ward day and night and even if he is on leave, would need a cellphone allowance, but certainly not R3 500. This amount of money for a cellphone is particularly ridiculous for PR councillors because who are they going to phone? Their own party?” said Van Aswegen.
‘Not even in parliament’
Even a parliamentarian does not get a cellphone deal like this, said provincial minister of local government Anton Bredell, adding that he has to submit his cellphone bill, account for his calls, and only then is he reimbursed.
“A cellphone allowance cannot be given as a stipend and I will be taking this up with the attorney general,” said Bredell.
Figure of R3 500 disputed
When the municipality was asked for comment, municipal manager Kam Chetty responded, “… the Minister for COGTA (Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs) promulgated upper limits in a government gazette. This includes standardising cellphone allowance to R3 400 for all councillors from 1 July 2017.”
In the 25 January agenda of the Knysna council meeting, the figure is stated as R3 500.
Chetty added, “As per the council resolution, councillors will receive a cellphone allowance, from 1 July 2017, of R3 400 per month. However, councillors Willemse, Bouw-Spies, Myers, Wolmarans, and Weideman indicated they would donate that portion of their cellphone allowance to worthy causes in their respective wards and/or local communities.” He
then mentioned that mayor Eleanore BouwSpies has arranged a monthly debit order for the charity Little Angels, a school for the disabled.
As to how the allowance would be paid, Chetty said, “… as part of the councillors’ salaries”, and added, “the correct amount is R3 400 and not R3 500 as per the question”.
It is also known by the Knysna-Plett Herald that Knysna councillors were recently given new phones and iPads. To this, Chetty responded, “Yes, councillors were provided with cellphones and tablets, to test its operational effectiveness and efficiency. This was done prior to the remuneration of office bearers gazette being published and the municipality was looking at a cost-effective way for councillors to have access to the tools of trade. A decision will be made by council regarding the effectiveness of the devices.”
Increases in line with a Grade 3 municipality
In order for the town’s councillors to claim the maximum salaries, Knysna has to qualify as a Grade 3 municipal council. This is calculated by the total municipal income, using a point system. Total municipal income was R713 377 842 garnering 33.33 points plus a total population of 73 835 (taken from a community survey in 2016), which gives another 16.67 points totalling 50 points – all that is needed to be a Grade 3 municipality. Increases, according to the Government Gazette, range between 4% and 6%.
The notice for these increases was gazetted on 15 December 2017.
As mayor, Bouw-Spies will now earn R798 913 a year, the speaker Georlene Wolmarans R636 731, mayoral committee members will each get R596 936 and part-time councillors R251 877.
The difference between fulltime and part-time councillors’ salaries is out of proportion, said Van Aswegen. “Full-time councillors already earned too much before the increase compared to part-time councillors, so this is also why I voted against the recommended increases,” he said. At the meeting councillor Peter Myers abstained from voting because he felt that the increases were not justified, due to Knysna’s dire financial situation and the much more modest salaries in the private sector.
Ratepayers group oppose increases
The Knysna Ratepayers’ Association (KRA) responded with the comment, “The KRA opposes any increase in councillors’ remuneration,” and in a letter addressed to the mayor, speaker and other councillors, they say, “Despite repeated warnings from the technical services department, council has failed miserably to allocate sufficient funds to maintain Knysna’s infrastructure over a period of many years.
“The results are making themselves felt more and more each year, adversely impacting our local tourist industry, and the supply of basic services to residents,” the letter continues.
“This lack of foresight should not be rewarded. Council must first demonstrate that it is capable of allocating substantial sums for the replacement of obsolete water pipes in the CBD and other heavily impacted areas, upgrading roads to compensate for a decadeslong lack of funding for maintenance, and addressing the pressing problem of inadequate waste water treatment facilities and leaking sewage pipes. Then, and only then, should council even consider increasing councillors’ remuneration.”
Total bill explained by MM
Would the Knysna-Plett Herald be correct in working out that if there are 21 councillors the amount being paid for cellphones will be R73 500 a month, totalling R882 000 a year?
Chetty said, “This is a telephone allowance that covers the cost of telephone calls, landlines, ISP and data. This is not just for cellphones but total cost for communication,” said Chetty, although the total amount worked out by KPH was only on cellphone allowances to councillors.
Regarding salary increases Chetty explained, “The new salaries will be backdated to 1 July 2017. The municipality has not budgeted for these increases and the additional amount of some R500 000 will be catered for in the adjustment budget at the end of February. If there is any deficit these will be adjusted accordingly in the budget adjustment, he said.
“Please note that no voting took place, respective councillors gave the views on the matter. It is incorrect that councillor Van Aswegen did not vote in favour of the increase, he requested it be minuted that he is not in favour of the increase for full-time councillors. It must be noted that he is not a full-time councillor. Councillor Myers abstained and added that he does not support the principles determining the remuneration of councillors. Councillor Willemse believes we should look at an inflationary increase instead of the full allowance,” added Chetty.