A report to a council meeting this week said the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal has determined the new fees for councillors and the mayor.

Mayor Peter Blackmore said people should realise that this is not a pay raise but an allowance increase. “We don’t get superannuation, holiday or sick pay. This is an allowance,” he said.

Maitland councillors annual salary will increase by $460 a year from $18,380 to $18,840 and the mayor’s salary will jump by $1000 from $40,090 to $41,090.

There was no debate among councillors when the item was raised at the meeting. The report said Maitland City Council has been placed within the regional rural category.

Councillors voted for a 2.5 per cent allowance rise last year. At that meeting Cr Steve Procter said that the amount of extra money would not have a significant impact on council’s budget.

“I feel that councillors have probably earned that pay rise,” he said.  “You don’t do it for the money but when the tribunal recommends a pay rise you are not going to say no.”

The report to council recommended that the maximum fee be applied due to Maitland City Council being one of the largest councils in the regional rural category.

It also said the fees reflect the roles and responsibilities undertaken in civic office. The public sector wages policy provides for a cap on increases of 2.5 per cent. The new fees have been included in the council’s operational plan 2016/2017.