Hunters Hill councillor Ben Collins slams 2019-20 draft budget
Hunters Hill Council could save $514,000 by trimming the fat on councillors’ salaries but Deputy Mayor Ben Collins is facing hostile reactions over his suggestions to cut his peers’ salaries and curb “deficits as far as the eye can see”.
Hunters Hill Council could save $1.6 million by trimming the fat on councillors’ salaries but Deputy Mayor Ben Collins is facing hostility over his frugal suggestions to curb “deficits as far as the eye can see”.
On Monday night, every councillor except Cr Collins and fellow Liberal Zac Miles voted to top their salaries by 2.5 per cent.
But it came as Cr Collins, who is an accountant, said the $15 million draft budget needed an overhaul and suggested cuting 25 per cent from councillors’ annual fee of $20,280 and the mayor’s income of $44,230.
He said that would save ratepayers more than $514,000 and $160,000 for the councillor and mayor over 10 years respectively.
Other cost-cutting measure suggestions were shedding an annual survey, the potential employment of a communications officer and halving the money spent on training each of the seven councillors to $1000 each.
He also suggested limiting councillors’ training budget, conferences and dumping a $30,000 community survey in an effort to spend money on maintenance such as fixing the hundreds of potholes riddling the streets.
“For a very long time we have neglected maintenance,’’ he said.
“We do need to spend a lot of money catching up on that.”
Cr Miles supported the frugal calls but the amendment was spurned by others.
“This 9.74 per cent (rates’) increase kick in on the 1st of July and the pay increase also kicks in on the 1st of July,’’ Cr Collins said.
“There’s a correlation between spending and the budget position, which is lost on these so-called independent councillors.
“What we’re trying to do is cut councillors’ costs without changing the outcome for the community.
“There’s no appetite for it they don’t want to fix the budget. I think they think the budget is going to fix itself. There’s red ink all the way through for 10 years.
“It’s not cutting down on maintenance or services. It’s getting rid of councillors’ excess.”
But Hunters Hill Mayor Mark Bennett defended the councillors’ pay increase given many came councillors held professions such as science and engineering.
“It’s a very low renumeration,’’ he said.
“We have trouble attracting people to become councillors because ... councillors, particularly on small councils, get paid $390 a week.”
Cr Bennett said there was a priority list for footpath maintenance and defended the money spent of the survey.
“Because we spend money on what the community wants doesn’t mean we don’t spend money on potholes. It’s a fallacious argument.”
Cr Collins’ frustrations included the council’s focus on the inaugural indepedence day on July 31 to celebrate the third anniversary of escaping amalgamation with Ryde.
“It’s embarrassing. It’s cringe-worthy,’’ he said.
“We’re increasing rates by nearly 10 per cent and deficits as far as the eye can see.
“This council isn’t nimble as it could be. If you’re small and independent you have to be nimble.”
He has criticised the funds — up to $4000 per councillor spent on training and covering conferences.
“The problem is things move slow,’’ he said.
“You don’t come back (from a conference) with a great idea and you do it. It takes three years.”
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