NATIONAL NEWS - The SA Local Government Association (Salga) announced major increased benefits for municipal councillors, yet has warned that it should only be implemented if sufficient funds are available.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Des Van Rooyen on 7 December 2017 promulgated a notice on 15 December 2017 in the Government Gazette allowing for:
- an increase of the sitting allowance from R962 per day to R1020 per day (6% increase);
- standardising cellphone allowances to R3 400 for all councillors;
- the re-introduction of the Mayoral residence as a housing benefit for Executive Mayors/Mayors – where it already exists;
- the re-introduction of the use of council owned vehicle and travel allowances;
- formalising the inclusion of laptops as tools of trade for part-time Councillors;
- providing for tablets as alternatives to laptops; and
- formalising personal security to Executive Mayors, Mayors and Speakers, without a threat analysis. No threshold was set for the number of bodyguards that may be appointed.
Salga has on 18 December warned municipal managers that, before implementation this month, it would be necessary for a council to consult with the MEC responsible for Local Government in the Province, motivating the affordability and demonstrating that the liability has been budgeted for.
“Failure to follow these steps will result in an adverse audit opinion being expressed by the Auditor General.”
Councils were advised to consider the affordability of the approved new upper limits with due consideration whether the increase was correctly budgeted for.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
