COUNCILLORS’ MILEAGE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29237, 22 June 1960, Page 17

COUNCILLORS’ MILEAGE

Attack On “Red Tape”

*A bit over the edge,” •"ridiculous” and “a lot of red tape” were expressions used by members of the Waimairi County Council last evening when they learnt that unless they registered their cars as business vehicles for third party insurance, they could not claim mileage allowance for travelling to council meetings. The council was informed in a letter from the Counties’ Association that the Commission of Transport had decided to accept as Class 4 (private) third party insurance the personal transport of councillors in their cars to meetings, provided they received no payment. After councillors had debated th? news for some minutes, it was decided to send “a strong protest” to the Counties’ Association.

Councillors were told it would cost them only 23s more a year to re-insure their cars for third party risk.

Cr. C. L Austin and Cr. J. I. Colligan emphasised “it was not the amount of money involved, but the principle of the thing,” which concerned them.

“We are being completely tied up with a lot of red tape.” complained Cr. Austin. “Are they putting up our mileage allowance?”

Describing the requirement as “ridiculous.” Cr. Colligar. said he saw some councillors being out of pocket. They would be paying out their mileage allowance in the extra insurance. Between Meetings

Councillors were only paid to go to council meetings, but how many mites did they do between council meetings for which they didn’t get a razoo? he asked. The chairman (Mr A. R. Blank): Hundreds of them.

The Transport Department was getting “just a bit over the edge,” Cr. Austin said. As a farmer, he had now to register his plough, and his drill and every implement, just to take them along the road ar three miles an hour.

“We’re getting so tied up with red tape, it’s time we put in an adequate protest,” Cr. Austin, said.

Supporting Cr. Colligan, the chainnan said that there was no mileage allowance for councillors travelling to meetings of other bodies on which they were council repre:rntatives. Could councillors claim mileage for travelling on business to which they Were directed by the council? Cr. Colligan asked. The county clerk (Mr K MacLachlan) said they could. “That's useful to know, at any rate.” Cr. Colligan said.

‘‘l’ve never heard of one councillor claiming such an allowance,” said the chairman. "Councillors don’t like to do it, and I’ve never heard of them doing it.” Cr. Austin: Never.

The “strong protest” moved by Cr. Colligan and seconded by Cr. H. J. Reynolds, was then carried.