• Dandenong Star

By Melissa Meehan

2nd July 2009 09:41:39 AM

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AFTER a lengthy debate Greater Dandenong councillors voted themselves a pay rise on Monday night as well as endorsing a watered-down accountability and accessibility charter.

Particulars of the pay rise were fiercely discussed as councillor Maria Sampey put forward that councillors receive the pay rise, while the mayor receives the same allowance as last year plus the annual CPI index.

I believe that $77,300 is extravagant for a part-time mayor, Cr Sampey said.

But Cr Roz Blades said it would be unfair for any councillor, including the mayor to receive an increase when so many in the community were struggling.

I cant vote for an increase after we have just increased rates by five percent when so many people are struggling, Cr Blades said.

I also cant remember a time when the allowance for councillors was raised but the mayors was not.

In the end, the majority voted to endorse the pay rise for both councillors and the mayor, while councillors John Kelly, Yvonne Herring and Roz Blades voted against it. Mayor Pinar Yesil, in keeping with her pledge, also voted against the increase after the accountability and accessibility measures she proposed were watered down.

The Reform Charter was also endorsed by a majority of councillors, which will set in place some of the toughest accessibility, accountability and transparency standards in local government.

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