Local Government Elected Members (2015/16) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2015

  • revoked
  • Local Government Elected Members (2015/16) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2015: revoked, on 1 July 2016, by clause 17 of the Local Government Elected Members (2016/17) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2016 (LI 2016/138).

Reprint as at 1 July 2016

Coat of Arms of New Zealand

Local Government Elected Members (2015/16) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2015

(LI 2015/184)

Local Government Elected Members (2015/16) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2015: revoked, on 1 July 2016, by clause 17 of the Local Government Elected Members (2016/17) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2016 (LI 2016/138).

Note

Changes authorised by subpart 2 of Part 2 of the Legislation Act 2012 have been made in this official reprint.

Note 4 at the end of this reprint provides a list of the amendments incorporated.

Pursuant to clause 6 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, and to the Remuneration Authority Act 1977, the Remuneration Authority, after having regard to the matters specified in clause 7 of that schedule, makes the following determination (to which is appended an explanatory memorandum).

Determination

1 Title

This determination is the Local Government Elected Members (2015/16) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2015.

2 Commencement

This determination is deemed to have come into force on 1 July 2015.

3 Expiry

This determination expires on the close of 30 June 2016.

4 Interpretation

In this determination, unless the context otherwise requires,—

ATA panel means a panel appointed by the Auckland Council under section 89 of HASHA

ATA panel hearing time has the meaning given by clause 6

ATA resource consent hearing has the meaning given by clause 5

ATA resource consent hearing fee means a fee payable in accordance with clause 14 for attending an ATA resource consent hearing

Auckland Council or Council means the Auckland Council established by section 6 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009

local board means a local board established under section 10 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009

member,—

(a)

in relation to the Auckland Council, means—

(i)

a person who has been declared to be elected under the Local Electoral Act 2001 as the Mayor of Auckland or as any other member of the governing body of the Auckland Council; and

(ii)

a person who, as the result of further election or appointment under that Act, the Local Government Act 2002, or the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, is an office holder in relation to the Auckland Council (for example, as chairperson of a committee of the Council):

(b)

in relation to a local board, means—

(i)

a person who has been declared to be elected as a member of that local board under the Local Electoral Act 2001; and

(ii)

a person who, as the result of further election or appointment under that Act, the Local Government Act 2002, or the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, is an office holder in relation to the board (for example, as chairperson of the board)

RMA hearing time has the meaning given by clause 8

RMA resource consent hearing has the meaning given by clause 7

RMA resource consent hearing fee means a fee payable in accordance with clause 15 for attending a resource consent hearing.

5 Meaning of ATA resource consent hearing

(1)

In this determination, ATA resource consent hearing means a hearing that—

(a)

is held by an ATA panel; and

(b)

arises from—

(i)

an application for a resource consent under subpart 2 of Part 2 of HASHA:

(ii)

a request for a plan change or for a variation to a proposed plan under subpart 3 of Part 2 of HASHA.

(2)

To avoid doubt, in this determination, ATA resource consent hearing does not include—

(a)

a hearing of submissions as part of the process of the preparation of a district or regional plan; or

(b)

a hearing relating to a change or variation in a district or regional plan requested by a council or a local board; or

(c)

any other hearing not specified in subclause (1).

6 Meaning of ATA panel hearing time

(1)

In this determination, ATA panel hearing time—

(a)

means the time spent by a member hearing a matter referred to in clause 5(1); and

(b)

includes the time spent by a member—

(i)

at any formal ATA panel deliberations in relation to an ATA resource consent hearing; and

(ii)

at a formal site inspection as part of a group inspection; and

(iii)

in determining a notified ATA resource consent application where a formal hearing does not take place.

(2)

In this determination, ATA panel hearing time—

(a)

also includes the time spent by a member—

(i)

preparing for an ATA resource consent hearing; or

(ii)

inspecting a site, not being a formal site inspection under subclause (1)(b)(ii); but

(b)

does not include the time referred to in paragraph (a) to the extent that it exceeds the aggregate of the time spent by the member—

(i)

hearing a matter referred to in clause 5(1); and

(ii)

on the formal deliberations referred to in subclause (1)(b)(i).

7 Meaning of RMA resource consent hearing

(1)

In this determination, RMA resource consent hearing means—

(a)

a hearing arising from a resource consent application made under section 88 of the RMA; or

(b)

a hearing arising from a notice of requirement given under section 168 of the RMA; or

(c)

a pre-hearing meeting held under section 99 of the RMA in relation to a hearing referred to in paragraph (a) or (b); or

(d)

a hearing relating to a request for a change to a district or regional plan or policy statement under clause 21 of Schedule 1 of the RMA; or

(e)

a mediation hearing in the Environment Court as part of an appeal from a decision of the Auckland Council; or

(f)

a hearing on an objection against a charge fixed by the Council under section 36 of the RMA.

(2)

To avoid doubt, in this determination, RMA resource consent hearing does not include—

(a)

a hearing of submissions as part of the process of preparation of a district or regional plan or policy statement; or

(b)

a hearing relating to a change or variation to a district or regional plan or policy statement requested by the Council or the local board; or

(c)

a hearing relating to a notice of requirement initiated by the Council or the local board; or

(d)

any other hearing not specified in subclause (1).

8 Meaning of RMA hearing time

(1)

In this determination, RMA hearing time—

(a)

means the time spent by a member hearing a matter referred to in clause 7(1); and

(b)

includes the time spent by a member—

(i)

at any formal committee deliberations in relation to an RMA resource consent hearing; and

(ii)

at a formal site inspection as part of a group inspection or as part of a pre-hearing meeting described in clause 7(1)(c); and

(iii)

in determining a notified resource consent application where a formal hearing does not take place.

(2)

In this determination, RMA hearing time—

(a)

also includes the time spent by a member—

(i)

preparing for an RMA resource consent hearing; or

(ii)

inspecting a site, not being a formal site inspection under subclause (1)(b)(ii); but

(b)

does not include the time referred to in paragraph (a) to the extent that it exceeds the aggregate of the time spent by the member—

(i)

hearing a matter referred to in clause 7(1); and

(ii)

on the formal deliberations referred to in subclause (1)(b)(i).

Auckland Council members

9 Remuneration and allowances payable to members of Auckland Council

The remuneration and allowances payable to the members of the Auckland Council are—

(a)

the remuneration set out in Schedule 1; and

(b)

the allowances payable in accordance with clauses 11 and 13.

Local board members

10 Remuneration and allowances payable to members of local boards

(1)

The remuneration and allowances payable to the members of local boards are—

(a)

the remuneration set out in Schedule 2; and

(b)

the allowances payable in accordance with clauses 11 to 13; and

(c)

the ATA resource consent hearing fees payable in accordance with clause 14; and

(d)

the RMA resource consent hearing fees payable in accordance with clause 15.

(2)

A member of a local board is not entitled to be paid a meeting fee other than an RMA resource consent hearing fee or an ATA resource consent hearing fee.

Allowances

11 Vehicle mileage allowance

(1)

The Auckland Council may pay a member of the Council or a member of a local board a vehicle mileage allowance for travel by the member.

(2)

An allowance may be paid to a member under subclause (1) for each day within the period of this determination that—

(a)

the member is not provided with a vehicle by the Council; and

(b)

the distance travelled by the member on the day exceeds the threshold distance; and

(c)

the member is travelling—

(i)

in a private vehicle; and

(ii)

on the Council’s business; and

(iii)

by the most direct route that is reasonable in the circumstances.

(3)

The allowance is payable, in relation to each day for which the member qualifies under subclause (2),—

(a)

in accordance with subclause (4); but

(b)

only for the distance travelled on the day that exceeds the threshold distance.

(4)

The vehicle mileage allowance payable to a member is—

(a)

no more than $0.77 per kilometre for the first 5 000 kilometres travelled within the period of this determination for which the allowance is payable:

(b)

no more than $0.37 per kilometre for any distance over 5 000 kilometres travelled within the period of this determination for which the allowance is payable.

(5)

If a member is not a member for the whole of the period of this determination, subclause (4) applies as if each reference to 5 000 kilometres were replaced by a reference to the number of kilometres calculated in accordance with the following formula:

(a ÷ b) × 5 000

where—

a

is the number of days during the period of this determination that the member held office

b

is the number of days in the period of this determination.

(6)

In this clause,—

on the Council’s business includes—

(a)

on the business of any local board; and

(b)

travel between a member’s residence and an office of the Auckland Council or a local board

threshold distance means the shorter of the following distances:

(a)

the distance equivalent to a round trip between the member’s residence and the nearest office of the Auckland Council by the most direct route that is reasonable in the circumstances; and

(b)

30 kilometres, if the distance equivalent to a round trip between the member’s residence and the nearest office of the Auckland Council is greater than 30 kilometres by the most direct route that is reasonable in the circumstances.

12 Travel time allowance

(1)

The Auckland Council may pay a member of a local board a travel time allowance if the office of the member cannot be properly regarded as a full-time position.

(2)

An allowance may be paid to a member under subclause (1) for each day within the period of this determination that—

(a)

the member is travelling—

(i)

on the Council’s business; and

(ii)

by the quickest form of transport reasonable in the circumstances; and

(b)

the travel time of the member exceeds 1 hour.

(3)

The allowance is payable, in relation to each day for which the member qualifies under subclause (2),—

(a)

at no more than $35 per hour; but

(b)

only in respect of the travel for that day that exceeds 1 hour.

(4)

In this clause, on the Council’s business includes—

(a)

on the business of any local board; and

(b)

travel between a member’s residence and an office of the Auckland Council or a local board.

13 Communications allowance

(1)

If the Auckland Council determines that particular communications equipment and services are required by members of the Council or members of a local board to perform their functions, and members choose or are required to use their own equipment and communication services, the Council may pay an allowance for the period of this determination in accordance with this clause.

(2)

The amounts and matters in respect of which the allowance is payable are as follows:

(a)

for the use of a personal computer, $150:

(b)

for the use of an electronic tablet, $150:

(c)

for the use of a printer (with or without a scanner), $40:

(d)

for use of a mobile phone, $60:

(e)

for an Internet connection (with or without a telephone connection), $250:

(f)

for council-related toll and mobile phone charges, $400.

(3)

The total amount payable to a member under subclause (2) must not exceed $1,050.

(4)

If the member is not a member for the whole of the period of this determination, subclauses (2) (and (3) apply as if each reference to an amount were replaced by a reference to an amount calculated in accordance with the following formula:

(a ÷ b) × c

where—

a

is the number of days during the period of this determination that the member held office

b

is the number of days in the period of this determination

c

is the relevant amount specified in subclause (2) or (3).

(5)

The Remuneration Authority may approve rules proposed by the Auckland Council to meet the costs of installing and running special equipment or connections where, because of distance or restricted access, normal communications connections are not available.

Resource consent hearing fees

14 Fees for attending ATA resource consent hearing

(1)

A member of a local board who acts as the chairperson of an ATA resource consent hearing is entitled to be paid a fee of $100 per hour of ATA panel hearing time.

(2)

A member of a local board who is not the chairperson of an ATA resource consent hearing is entitled to be paid a fee of $80 per hour of ATA panel hearing time.

(3)

For any period of hearing time that is less than 1 hour, the fee must be apportioned accordingly.

(4)

Despite subclauses (1) and (2), ATA resource consent hearing fees are not payable to the chairperson of a local board.

(5)

To avoid doubt, ATA resource consent hearing fees are not payable to the mayor or members of the Auckland Council.

15 Fees for attending RMA resource consent hearing

(1)

A member of a local board who acts as the chairperson of an RMA resource consent hearing is entitled to be paid a fee of $100 per hour of RMA hearing time.

(2)

A member of a local board who is not the chairperson of an RMA resource consent hearing is entitled to be paid a fee of $80 per hour of RMA hearing time.

(3)

For any period of hearing time that is less than 1 hour, the fee must be apportioned accordingly.

(4)

Despite subclauses (1) and (2), an RMA resource consent hearing fee for a pre-hearing meeting held under section 99 of the RMA is payable to only 1 member.

(5)

Despite subclauses (1) and (2), RMA resource consent hearing fees are not payable to the chairperson of a local board.

(6)

To avoid doubt, RMA resource consent hearing fees are not payable to the mayor or members of the Auckland Council.

Miscellaneous matters

16 Application of certain allowances if determination continues after expiry

(1)

This clause applies if this determination continues in force after its expiry under clause 7A(4) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.

(2)

Clauses 11(4) and (5) and 13(1) to (4) apply as if this determination—

(a)

had come into force on the day after its expiry; and

(b)

were to expire on 30 June 2017.

Schedule 1 Remuneration of members of Auckland Council

cl 9(a)

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Mayor of Auckland265,500
Deputy Mayor of Auckland149,600
Chair of committee of the whole (3)123,500
Councillor (16)104,250
Mayoral car
Full private use

Schedule 2 Remuneration of members of local boards

cl 10(1)(a)

Albert–Eden Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson86,700
Member42,100

Devonport–Takapuna Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson76,720
Member41,200

Franklin Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson77,610
Member40,500

Great Barrier Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson52,630
Member23,000

Henderson–Massey Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson89,760
Member42,600

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson84,120
Member41,800

Howick Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson93,990
Member42,800

Kaipatiki Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson83,300
Member41,600

Mangere–Otahuhu Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson81,410
Member41,700

Manurewa Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson83,820
Member41,700

Maungakiekie–Tamaki Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson80,700
Member41,500

Orakei Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson82,860
Member41,900

Otara–Papatoetoe Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson82,550
Member41,900

Papakura Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson73,390
Member40,600

Puketapapa Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson76,510
Member41,200

Rodney Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson75,000
Member40,100

Upper Harbour Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson74,735
Member40,900

Waiheke Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson58,560
Member24,600

Waitakere Ranges Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson74,540
Member40,800

Waitemata Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson79,560
Member41,300

Whau Local Board

OfficeAnnual salary ($)
Chairperson81,410
Member41,700

Dated at Wellington this 22nd day of July 2015.

John Errington,
Chairman.

Angela Foulkes,
Member.

Explanatory memorandum

This memorandum is not part of the determination, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This determination is deemed to have come into force on 1 July 2015 and expires on the close of 30 June 2016. The determination sets the remuneration for the members of the Auckland Council and its local boards for that period.

The Remuneration Authority has had the responsibility for establishing remuneration for the Auckland Council since before that council was established.

We have undertaken 2 job-sizing reviews since 2010, and will be undertaking a further review before the 2016 elections.

In setting the remuneration for 2015, we confront issues that become sharper each year.

Auckland City is the home of almost a third of the New Zealand population. The Auckland Council has an annual budget of over $3 billion and a staff of 8 800. It is a city where there are extremes of wealth and poverty, and where raising the funds to maintain and enhance infrastructure and community services is placing pressure on all ratepayers and is causing significant community concern.

The governance of the city is unique in New Zealand and there can be little doubt that the pressure on the 20-plus members of the governing body and around 100 local board members, particularly during the development phase of the city’s long-term strategy, has been immense.

Since the establishment of the Auckland Council, we have taken an extremely conservative approach to setting remuneration, to some extent with the expectation that workloads might reduce as the consolidation of the city occurred.

The initial remuneration established for the Auckland Council represented a saving of $1.2 million on previous expenditure. While we are unable to accurately assess the situation as if amalgamation had not occurred, it is still our view that the remuneration costs of governance are significantly lower than they would have been without the restructure.

We are, however, confronted by 2 stark choices.

To provide remuneration for a councillor at 80% of the public sector remuneration for a position with the appropriate skills would require an increase of at least 20%. For positions with additional responsibilities (such as the Deputy Mayor and committee chairs), the increase would be significantly higher.

Remuneration for local boards is currently closer to a figure we deem fair to the incumbents, but it is still significantly behind other public sector remuneration, and especially so for local board chairpersons.

We clearly cannot, and will not, implement such increases because it would not be fair to ratepayers.

We have determined to increase remuneration for the governing body by an average of 2.3% (rounded) and have applied increases of between 3.4% and 6% to local boards. The 2.3% figure mirrors annual movements in mid-level public sector positions and, combined with the increases for local boards, keeps the increase in governance costs close to the general rate increase.

Some may consider that the Auckland Council’s remuneration is too high and that increases in remuneration for senior people in business and in the economy are not warranted. On the other hand, the Auckland Council is required to lead one of the most significant contributors to the national economy, and the remuneration of its members is significantly discounted against public sector remuneration.

We believe that to pay members of the Auckland Council less than the amounts in this determination would be patently unfair to the incumbents. We believe that the remuneration we have set is fair in the current economic circumstances, but we also believe that a more substantial debate on the expectations put on local government members is warranted.

There are no other changes to conditions or allowances included in our determination.

Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.

Date of notification in Gazette: 30 July 2015.

Reprints notes
1 General

This is a reprint of the Local Government Elected Members (2015/16) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2015 that incorporates all the amendments to that determination as at the date of the last amendment to it.

2 Legal status

Reprints are presumed to correctly state, as at the date of the reprint, the law enacted by the principal enactment and by any amendments to that enactment. Section 18 of the Legislation Act 2012 provides that this reprint, published in electronic form, has the status of an official version under section 17 of that Act. A printed version of the reprint produced directly from this official electronic version also has official status.

3 Editorial and format changes

Editorial and format changes to reprints are made using the powers under sections 24 to 26 of the Legislation Act 2012. See also http://www.pco.parliament.govt.nz/editorial-conventions/.

4 Amendments incorporated in this reprint

Local Government Elected Members (2016/17) (Auckland Council and Local Boards) Determination 2016 (LI 2016/138): clause 17