Council allowances up

Press, 25 October 1980, Page 6

Council allowances up

The annual allowance of the Mount Herbert County Chairman has been increased more than 40 per cent, from $1250 to $lBOO. The first meeting of the incoming council decided to make the increase. The new maximum allowance is $2150. Mrs E. K. Gardiner was elected to a further threeyear term as chairman.

Councillors’ rates of remuneration were increased from $9 to $l2 for each day they attend meetings, plus a travelling allowance.

It was decided to appoint

a suitable person to a vacant seat on the council in the Port Victoria ward. Only three nominations were received for the four ward seats on the council. Mrs Gardiner said the council would have to advertise its intention to appoint a person to the seat. If 5 per - cent iof the voters objected, >an election would be required. An election would cost about $lOOO. Tanks half-full’

At least twice when there had been fires on the Port Hills, the water tanks at the Sign of the Kiwi had been

only half-full, the meeting was told.

Cr J. E. Wanklyn moved that the council ask the Christchurch City Council’s parks and reserves department to check regularly that the water tanks were full. Council staff were also asked to investigate ways that the public could be required to notify local fire services when they intended to do a controlled burn-off on land. Notification needed to be giveh in advance? and on the day of the burn-off to prevent fire services being called out unnecessarily.