ARARAT Rural City Council has lifted the lid on councillor expenses in a bid to increase transparency.
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Council has resolved to publish, at each council meeting, the monthly expenditure and year to date amounts of councillors’ expenses, which include accommodation, meals, mileage allowance, training and development, conferences and communication.
The release of the first report since the measure was adopted has revealed councillors spent $712.55 in July.
The majority of the costs ($639.82) related to monthly charges for the use of mobile phones and iPads.
The councillor who moved the motion has accrued the most expenses to date.
Councillor Glenda McLean spent $262.95 in July, more than double that of any other councillor.
Cr McLean's expenses were for training and development ($72.73) and communications ($190.22).
Cr Gwenda Allgood racked up the next highest communications bill ($105.05) and was followed by Cr Colin McKenzie ($98.62), Cr Fay Hull ($72.66), Mayor Paul Hooper ($70.20), Cr Franz Deutsch ($56.93) and Cr Gary Hull ($46.14).
Cr McLean said councillors need to be open and accountable to Ararat Rural City ratepayers.
"There is an increasing expectation in the community about how we operate and recently there has been quite a lot of publicity over the issue of entitlements," she said.
"We, as councillors take this very seriously and ask our staff to be accountable and diligent in their work.
"After some consideration and looking at what other councils do, we have determined to publish our expenses on a regular basis.”
Cr Franz Deutsch said transparency in local government was a must.
"Transparency is one of the cornerstones of any good government," he said.
"We must have transparency, people should be able to see what we are doing and see what we are spending our money on."
Councillors are provided with general support such as mobile phones, computers and reimbursement of official travel and meal costs.