Griffith resident urges councillors to give up pay rise for a year

Mr Lancaster said businesses across the city were being challenged by COVID-19, and some had even closed their doors leaving people without jobs.

"I think our elected officials are leaders, they should set an example," he said.

"Councillors should in empathy, take a reduction. Footballers, netballers and other sports people are taking a wage cut."

On Tuesday, a report will be given to councillors outlining the delay about a decision to be made by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

Each year, the tribunal announces the changes to rates of pay that councillors can receive, providing a minimum and maximum.

Councillors choose the amount they would like to receive, however COVID-19 means the tribunal's decision has been pushed back to July.

Mr Lancaster said every time council have received the tribunal's report, they had opted for the maximum compensation.

It means during the 2019 to 2020 financial year Griffith City Council's 12 councillor received a total of $286,610.

Meanwhile nine councillors at Wagga received $226,770 and Leeton Shire Council paid $135,970 for nine councillors.

The Local Government Act specifies councillors must be paid an annual fee, and councillors do not agree on a fee, then it will be the minimum fee set by the tribunal.

Mr Lancaster said councillors would have to make a decision.

Mr Lancaster said the tribunal had to recognise the more work councillors were required to do, meant they should receive more money.

"Just because they give themselves the pay rise, doesn't mean that they're doing the extra work," he said.

Mr Lancaster said this year that councillors and candidates would normally be preparing for the coming election and preparing to spend thousands on campaign materials.

He said because of COVID-19 councillors got a free kick and didn't have to prepare for re-election until next year.

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For next year's budget, council is factoring in a rebate for rates and relief for other charges.

"If you get less income, then you need to reduce spending," he said.

Mr Lancaster said the budget would have been prepared with pay rises for councillors already factored in, and if councillors decided not to take the pay increase, that money could help support the city through the pandemic, or be used to support businesses or charities.