Freeze Council Pay Rises

Auckland’s only centre-right Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry says in light of massive rates increases it is inappropriate for the Mayor or any Councillors to be accepting a pay increase. “I propose that until such time as the Council passes a budget which keeps rates increases below the level of inflation, then nobody on the Governing Body receives a pay rise.”

Mr Berry accepts the $53550 this will save is a pittance, “However it sends the right message at a time this Council’s policies are making home ownership unaffordable for pensioners and young families as well as providing a good incentive for Auckland Council to get spending under control.”

The Affordable Auckland candidate would also like to extend his salary freeze policy to apply to the 1780 staff earning over $100,000. “At a time when spending is out of control and rates increasing by obsene amounts, everyone needs to tighten their belts.

“I have little regard for Franklin Councillor Bill Cashmore’s comments saying the increase should be rejected. He’s talked like a conservative, voted like a socialist and is worried about a strong challenge in his ward.

“A good way to get Council spending under control so the Governing Board members can look forward to a pay rise in the future would be to start funding only those core council functions defined under section 11A of the Local Government Act such as network infrastructure, solid waste collection and community amenities.”

Stephen Berry will be a speaker at the upcoming Rates Rip-off Rally on Sunday August 15th at 1pm at Aotea Square.

ENDS

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