FREE 3 seater SOFA x 2 Ideal for bach
I have two sofas both 3 seaters that we have had outside under our veranda so got the occasional rain splash on them. They are indoor sofas really but we kept a blanket over them to collect the outdoor dust when windy. The brown one is a velvety material and in great condition APART from one arm that the cats scratched down to the wood unbeknown to us as it was under the blanket we had over it. If you have a throw over the sofa it wont show and it is still very serviceable. The other 3 seater is a blue/white floral pattern. No damage but some areas of grubby marks that should wash off with some hot soapy water but again throw a blanket over it and its good to go. Ideal for the bach. Available next week sometime.... tba.... collect. 8 kms NW of Hawarden spcooke@amuri.net Dont seem to be able to upload images properly but can e mail photos to anyone interested
Pay doesn’t reflect workload – councillors
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri councillors received a pay bump this week, but some elected members say the $55,983 salary doesn't reflect their workload.
The Waimakariri District Council voted to accept a 3.7% pay rise at a council meeting in Kaiapoi on Tuesday (July 2).
Councillors say they are grateful for the increase, but also wanted provision for KiwiSaver, ACC payments and incentives to encourage greater diversity around the council table.
The Remuneration Authority sets the pay rises for councillors and mayors across the country, with the latest increase taking effect this week.
Mayor Dan Gordon’s pay increased by $5433 to $152,271, while deputy mayor Neville Atkinson will receive $71,940.
Councillor Philip Redmond said anyone thinking councillors took on the job for the money were ‘‘deluded’’.
‘‘To get greater diversity we probably need to double the remuneration.
‘‘It does compensate us, but it doesn’t really consider that it is very close to a full-time job.’’
Councillor Joan Ward said the pay rise was "a welcome little increase, given our workload’’ and rising inflation.
‘‘If anyone thinks being a councillor is really a part-time job they are fooling themselves.’’
As councillors were considered contractors, there was no provision for KiwiSaver and ACC payments were ‘‘quite exorbitant’’, she said.
Councillor Tim Fulton said he appreciated the expense allowances, including mileage, which made the role sustainable.
‘‘These provisions should encourage people of all ages and stages in life, whether they are 23 or 73, to stand for council.
‘‘It is important we enable people to be able to take on these roles without impacting on family or their lives.’’
Community board members and chairs will also receive pay increases.
The Remuneration Authority sets the new rates using a system that ranks councils by size, according to population, total assets, total expenditure, socioeconomic deprivation indices and a complex weighting process.
For a mayor, the salary can range from about $59,000 to more than $300,000 in Auckland.
A councillor's salary can range from $14,274 in the Chatham Islands to more than $100,000 in Christchurch and Auckland.
There has been mixed reaction to the pay rises.
Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe said it was the wrong time for his pay bump, but the decision to lift rates was made independently of councils.
In Rangitīkei, councillors who did not have chairing responsibilities were paid under $30,000 a year.
Mayor Andy Watson recently said told Local Democracy Reporting that councillors faced increasing levels of abuse, particularly on social media.
"People don't understand what is required of modern-day councillors, or the scale of the job and how much it has increased over time."
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Why are ghosts such bad liars?
...You can see right through them.
No, we haven't lost the plot! July 1st is International Joke Day and because laughter is good for your body, we want to get involved.
So, go on, jokers! Share your best joke below...
Mobility parking
My wife has a disability.
It astonishes and concerns me the number of people who illegally park in a disabled parking lot without displaying a disability card.
I realise that there is a fine of $150 for parking on a council park (if caught) but no control or penalty for private disability parks such as Supermarket and Gym parking lots.
This means that disabled people have to park further away and walk to their destination using a walker or other support. This happened at the gym yesterday, where a disabled person had to walk a long way to get to the building due to inconsiderate (illegal) parking.
What do you think?
Loading…
