CHARLES WATERHOUSE | July 13, 2011 12.01am
A GLENORCHY alderman wants his council to follow Kingborough Council's lead in seeking to cut its number of elected members from 12 to 10.
Alderman Matt Stevenson hopes Glenorchy City Council will support a motion from him requesting the Local Government Board to review the number of aldermen on the council with the council's preferred number a cut from 12 to 10.
Ald Stevenson said cost savings should not be the main reason to do such a review but the catalyst was the state's water and sewerage reforms, which had effectively reduced the role and responsibilities of the council.
Water and sewerage, formerly under the control of councils statewide, is now managed by three water corporations set up by the State Government.
He said the cost of supporting Glenorchy aldermen in 2009-10 was $389,992 and the cost of a single alderman was $23,489.
Cost savings could be directed to reduce rates. "I think we are spending a bit too much on aldermanic payments when we could probably represent Glenorchy with fewer aldermen for the same outcome," Ald Stevenson said.
In percentage terms Glenorchy City Council's rate rise for the new financial year (7.5 per cent) was the highest in greater Hobart, along with Hobart City Council, which imposed a similar rise.
Ald Stevenson said his preference was to cut two aldermen at the Tasmanian local government elections in October but any change would have to be determined by the Local Government Board.
His motion will be discussed at a meeting later this month.
Alderman Matt Stevenson hopes Glenorchy City Council will support a motion from him requesting the Local Government Board to review the number of aldermen on the council with the council's preferred number a cut from 12 to 10.
Ald Stevenson said cost savings should not be the main reason to do such a review but the catalyst was the state's water and sewerage reforms, which had effectively reduced the role and responsibilities of the council.
Water and sewerage, formerly under the control of councils statewide, is now managed by three water corporations set up by the State Government.
He said the cost of supporting Glenorchy aldermen in 2009-10 was $389,992 and the cost of a single alderman was $23,489.
Cost savings could be directed to reduce rates. "I think we are spending a bit too much on aldermanic payments when we could probably represent Glenorchy with fewer aldermen for the same outcome," Ald Stevenson said.
In percentage terms Glenorchy City Council's rate rise for the new financial year (7.5 per cent) was the highest in greater Hobart, along with Hobart City Council, which imposed a similar rise.
Ald Stevenson said his preference was to cut two aldermen at the Tasmanian local government elections in October but any change would have to be determined by the Local Government Board.
His motion will be discussed at a meeting later this month.
CONTACT CHARLES WATERHOUSE ... waterhousec@news.net.au
EDITOR"S NOTE: If Aldermen who hold more than position that draws on the public purse were excluded, that would be somewhere to start in some Councils.
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