Should Ratepayers Subsidize Local Board Members' Mileage Expenses?

Media Release: John Gillon, Member of Kaipatiki Local Board, Auckland Council.

24th January 2011

"Local Board members should not be able to claim back mileage expenses from ratepayers for travelling to and from their Local Board meetings, as this is part of their core job for which they are paid a salary", said John Gillon, member of the Kaipatiki Local Board.

Members of Auckland Council's Local Boards have been given five days to consider a draft document "Elected Members' Expense Rules for the Governing Body and Local Boards" which includes policies on Professional Development, Conference Attendance, Travel, Mileage Allowance, Catering, Hospitality and Entertainment. Feedback is to be given to Local Board Chairs by 25th January, from where it will be collated and given to the Governing Body to consider on 27th January.

Included in the document are clauses stating that Local Board Members can claim 70c per kilometre of travel to and from formally convened meetings, including ordinary Local Board meetings and "council-related business".

"Board members in some large Local Board areas such as Rodney may be able to justify a mileage payment if they have to travel a considerable distance to their meetings. But for most Local Boards, members live only a few minutes from their meeting locations," said John Gillon.

"We are already paid a salary to attend Board meetings and workshops, and to meet with local residents and community groups to discuss issues. The majority of these meetings take place in our local area, and we shouldn't need incentives in order to attend them. They are part of the job."

"Councillors are currently looking for ways to keep rate increases to a minimum. How much could be saved by stopping the mileage rebate, both in payments and administration costs?"

"I hope that all Local Board members will join me in submitting that the ability to claim for mileage expenses for official and community group meetings within our respective Local Board areas be abolished," said John Gillon.

Disclaimer: This media release contains the opinion of John Gillon, and does not reflect the viewpoint of the Kaipatiki Local Board.

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