2023-02-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   7 FEBRUARY 2023




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                            7 FEBRUARY 2023

                       Request                          Council  requests  the   Commission    instigate change   to
                                                        remuneration categories with new criteria that encourage
                                                        councillor role as career path and recognise that the role is no
                                                        longer a part-time vocation.

                       Determination                   The Commission will commence its review of categories and
                                                        the category system in 2023 and take into consideration the
                                                        matters raised. All Councils are invited to participate in the
                                                        2023 review.

                                                       The matters raised have been also        considered   by the
                                                        Commission as part of its annual review of the maximum
                                                        remuneration payable to mayors and councillors.

                 10    Date received                    Oral Submission on 17 October 2022 LGAQ Conference

                       Received from                    Douglas Shire Council:
                                                        Mayor Michael Kerr

                       Summary of submission            Council advocated that category 1 is not the appropriate
                                                        classification for council.

                                                       There are a number of reasons why council feels that the role
                                                        can no longer be treated or remunerated as part-time:
                                                            1.  COVID era resulted in council having to manage
                                                                vaccinations, requirements for businesses, council
                                                                operations/arrangements.
                                                            2. Tackling the increased crime rates in the local
                                                                government area.
                                                            3.  The population is increasing to above 13,000 and
                                                                growing rapidly.
                                                            4.  Impact of social media and digital access and
                                                                scrutiny on the role of local government.
                                                            5.  Increasing threat of legal implications on the role of
                                                                local government.
                                                            6.  Increasingly broad skill set required for role in
                                                                modern local government.

                       Request                         The Mayor requested that Council be reclassified as category
                                                        3 rather than category 1.

                       Determination                   The Commission will commence its review of categories and
                                                        the category system in 2023 and take into consideration the
                                                        matters raised. All Councils are invited to participate in the
                                                        2023 review. No change to the current category pending the
                                                        Commission’s 2023 review.

                                                       The matters    raised  have  been also   considered   by the
                                                        Commission as part of its annual review of the maximum
                                                        remuneration payable to mayors and councillors.

       LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMUNERATION COMMISSION | ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22                                             28

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