Vincent residents to weigh in on councillor allowances and expenses

City of Vincent residents will be invited to comment on proposed rules covering councillor allowances, fees, expense reimbursements and ICT equipment, including the arrangements for four public electric-vehicle charging bays at Chelmsford Road Car Park, Mount Lawley, which carry a proposed annual fee of $1,500 per bay.

Councillors approved advertising the amended Council Member Allowances, Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses Policy for community consultation at their 11 August briefing. The approval opens a consultation process, rather than changing payment or equipment arrangements immediately.

The policy concerns the conditions under which council members receive allowances and fees, claim reimbursed expenses and access or use ICT equipment for council duties. The proposed dollar amounts, individual amendments and consultation length were not specified.

The City’s next step is to advertise the amended policy and invite submissions. Residents will be able to comment on the proposed settings before the policy is finalised.

The allowances policy was one of several governance matters considered at the briefing. Councillors also approved proposed amendments to the Temporary Employment or Appointment of CEO Policy for community consultation and repealed the Organisational Structure and Designation of Senior Employees Policy.

Other decisions included public notice for an amended Evie Networks Property Pty Ltd licence covering four EV charging bays at Chelmsford Road Car Park. The proposed licence includes a $1,500 annual fee per bay, increasing by 3 per cent each year, and authorises further charging-operator licence processes.

Councillors also approved negotiations for a five-year turf-wicket agreement with North Perth Cricket Club at Charles Veryard Reserve, North Perth. The annual subsidy will be capped at $50,000 or 50 per cent of eligible expenditure.

The City has not announced when the allowances consultation will open, how long it will run or when the amended policy will return to council for a final decision.