2018-10-09 Services & Organisation Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   9 OCTOBER 2018


4                        COUNCILLORS EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT POLICY - AMENDMENT
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                           Director Executive Services, Debra Iezzi
                                 Executive Services Dept

Index                            ECM/ Council Policies

Attachments                      1.   Councillors’ Expenses Reimbursement Policy



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Nil.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Director Executive Services to the Services & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 9 October 2018 and adopt, pursuant to section 250(2) of the Local
Government Regulation 2012, the updated version of the Councillors’ Expenses Reimbursement
Policy provided at Attachment 1 to the report.


REPORT
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval to alter the Councillors’ Expenses
Reimbursement Policy to include an additional allowance to be paid to the Councillor assuming
the role of Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) currently assumed by the
Mayor.

The allowance will cover the cost of access to the Telstra Wireless Priority Service System
(WPSS). This is extremely important as it provides priority access to network capacity when the
network becomes congested in an emergency situation, making sure Council has the best
possible chance of staying in contact with the Disaster Management System during an event.
The cost of this service was previously reimbursed by LGAQ up until November 2017, however
since December 2017, the amount of $21.95/month charged to the Mayor’s personal mobile
phone account has not been reimbursed.

The purpose of the Councillors’ Expenses Reimbursement Policy is to set the parameters of
reasonable expenses incurred, or to be incurred by Councillors; and provide facilities to assist
Councillors to discharge their duties and responsibilities.

Section 6 of the Policy titled “Home Office and Telecommunication needs - Consumables, Mobile
Phones and Tablets” provides an allowance to Councillors of $240 per month to purchase
communications devices and plans as well as printer consumables for their residences. The
allowance is paid 12 months in advance at the beginning of the financial year.

It is fair and appropriate that Councillors are reimbursed for, or Council covers, all reasonable
expenses incurred whilst undertaking Council business. The policy provided at Attachment 1 is
the Councillors’ Expenses Reimbursement Policy adopted by Council on 17 May 2018 showing
the proposed new allowance in revision mode. It is proposed that the payment of the allowance
take effect from December 2017.




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