Decision details

Memorandum by the Chief Executive Officer

To Council:

The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (the Tribunal) is required to make an annual determination, on the fees payable to Councillors and Mayors in accordance with section 241 of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act).

Under the Act, the Tribunal’s role is to determine the categories of councils and mayoral offices in NSW, place each council and mayoral office into one of the categories it has determined (at least once every 3 years), and on an annual basis set the minimum and maximum fees payable to councillors and mayors in each category.

The City of Sydney is currently the only council in NSW categorised as a Principal CBD (the highest category) by the Tribunal. As a matter of standing policy, Council has resolved that having regard to the Tribunal’s determination of a fee range for Councillors and the Lord Mayor, Council shall always pay the maximum fees as determined by the Tribunal.

The 2027 review is being undertaken in 2 stages. In Stage 1, the Tribunal will review the categories and criteria specified in the Determination: ss 239 and 240 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).

In the second stage, the Tribunal will finalise appropriate fees for each category adopted, having taken into account changes which have been established to have occurred over time, as well as other relevant data: s241. It will also then determine each Councils’ allocation to the new category structure.

The 2027 Stage 1 submission is supported by the 2026 submission and 2025 submission, both endorsed by Council and a further representation made to the Tribunal by City of Sydney Councillors in early 2026.

Note that the Tribunal has advised that submissions are to be endorsed by their respective council.

The City has received an extension of time for this submission, with the Council endorsed submission to be provided by 27 October 2026.

Recommendation

It is resolved that Council endorse the submission to the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal as shown at Attachment A to the subject memorandum.

MONICA BARONE PSM

Chief Executive Officer

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Miller –

It is resolved that Council endorse the submission to the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal as shown at Attachment A to the subject memorandum.

Carried unanimously.

S095194.009