$130k PAYDAY ,City receives upgrade so fees likely to increase

City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington is set to earn more than $100,000 this financial year after changes to meeting fees and allowances.

As part of the draft 2016-17 budget, to go before councillors next Tuesday, Mr Wellington’s salary is slated to jump from a combined allowance and fees of $92,185 (2015-16) to $135,910 (2016-17) — a rise of 47 per cent.

Deputy Mayor Greg Stocks will also receive an increase in line with 25 per cent of the mayor’s allowances. The pay rises come after the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal upgraded the City from band 2 to band 1 in April, allowing for an increase in allowances and meeting fees.

The SAT sets the allowances and fees for all WA local governments.

Mr Wellington is forecast to receive a mayoral allowance of $88,864 and meeting fees totalling $47,046 this financial year.

Councillor meeting fees are forecast to rise by 38 per cent to $376,368 in 2016-17.

A further $45,500 is set to be set aside for councillor expenses, including telephone, data, fax or postage.

Albany was upgraded by SAT to band 1 along with the Cities of Bunbury and Busselton, joining metropolitan local governments such as the Town of Cambridge and the City of Subiaco.

City of Albany chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the changes had been made in accordance with State legislation and the growth of the City of Albany.

“The Salaries and Allowances Act of 1975 determines the fees and allowances for Local Governments,” he said.

“In April, 2016, the tribunal released its determination and the City of Albany was elevated from band 2 to band 1 to reflect the increased growth and complexity of the City of Albany.

“Fees payable to the mayor and councillors are increased accordingly.”

The budget, which was passed by the City’s corporate services and finance committee last week, will be finalised next week at an Albany City Council meeting.