London city councillors could be getting a raise for the first time since 2013.
A report from the council compensation review task force recommends the salary for a ward councillor be set at the 2016 median full time employment income for Londoners.
That data won’t be released until this fall, but according to the 2011 census that figure stood at $47,000. That kind of an increase would mean councillors would be in line for a 30 per cent raise over their current salary of just over $36,000.
“The public does not regard this as a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday role. Rather, they expect that Council Members will be available all times of the day, all days of the week,” reads the reports rationale for an increase, which will take effect next council term — if approved.
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“The Council Member role does not constitute an employment relationship, but compensation needs to be set at a level so that it is not a primary motivator to run for office, yet allows someone who runs for public office to serve in that role as effectively as possible.”
The task force didn’t include a review of the mayor’s salary, currently set at $130,000. It did however, recommend council take no action on extra compensation for the deputy mayor.
“The level of compensation for this role should be reassessed once the role is more clearly defined and is not reliant on the discretion of each mayor,” the report reads.
The report also recommends council eliminate the 1/3 tax free allowance, and end the practice of giving councillors who chair a committee a bonus.
The issue will be discussed at the strategic priorities and policy committee meeting on Monday.
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