Vol. 426, No. 21850, 1 December 2000
GENERAL NOTICE
Notice 4595 of 2000
INDEPENDENT COMMISSION FOR THE REMUNERATION OF PUBLIC OFFICE BEARERS
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE REMUNERATION OF MUNICIPAL COUNCILLORS
The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers was constituted in terms of Section 219 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. It was duly appointed in terms of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act, 1997 with the objective of making recommendations regarding the salaries, allowances and benefits of public office bearers.
In terms of Section 8 of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act, 1997, the Independent Commission herewith publishes its recommendations concerning the remuneration of Municipal Councillors.
With due regard to the report and recommendations by its Consultants in the above regard and information available to the Independent Commission, together with all other relevant factors, the Commission makes the following recommendations for consideration:
3.1 Ranking of municipalities for remuneration purposes
The ranking of municipalities for remuneration purposes of Municipal Councillors -
- be based on the following factors as set out in the tables below:
- Registered number of voters (50%)
Previous year's property rates (levy income in respect of District Councils) (50%)
POINTS BASED ON NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS
| Size | Banding of Registered Number of Voters | Points |
| 1 | 0 - 2,000 | 8.33 |
| 2 | 2, 001 - 12, 000 | 16.67 |
| 3 | 12, 001 - 50, 000 | 25.00 |
| 4 | 50, 001 - 125, 000 | 33.33 |
| 5 | 125,001 - 250,000 | 41.67 |
| 6 | 250,000 | 50.00 |
POINTS BASED ON PROPERTY RATES INCOME
| Size | Banding of Property Rates | Points |
| 1 | RO - 82,000,000 | 8.33 |
| 2 | R2 000 001 - 812,000,000 | 16.67 |
| 3 | 812,000,001 - 850,000,000 | 25.00 |
| 4 | 850,000,001 - 8125,000,000 | 33.33 |
| 5 | 8125,000,001 - 8250,000,000 | 41.67 |
| 6 | 8250,000,000 | 50.00 |
- be determined in accordance with the aggregation of the points of the two factors referred to in paragraph (a) above as set out below -
TOTAL POINTS FOR DETERMING SIZE CLASSIFICATIONS
CATEGORY POINTS 1 0 to 16.66
2 16.67 to 33.33 3 33.34 to 50.00 4 4 50.01 to 66.67 5 66.68 to 83.35 6 83.36 and above
- as interim measures until 30 June 2001:
The remuneration category in respect of the newly established municipalities after the 5 December 2000 elections, be determined on the number of registered voters and the sum of the previous years rates income of its constituent municipalities in existence prior to the elections. In instances where only a part of an existing municipality forms part of a newly established municipality, the rates income for that municipality be proportionately allocated to the new municipality.
Where a new municipality is established where none existed before 5 December 2000, the ranking of a municipality shall be determined by its number of registered voters only.
3.2 Remuneration differentials between the different categories of municipalities
The remuneration differentials for full-time councillors between the different categories of municipality be determined as follows:
| Level 1 | 17% |
| Level 2 | 33% |
| Level 3 | 50% |
| Level 4 | 67% |
| Level 5 | 83% |
| Level 6 | 100% |
3.3 Levels of Municipal Councillors
For remuneration purposes the following levels of Municipal Councillors be approved:
| Level 1 | Executive Mayor |
| Level 2 | |
| Deputy Executive Mayor Councillor responsible for Financial Matters Mayor |
|
| Level 3 | Members of Mayoral and Executive Committees Speaker Chairperson of Sub-Council Deputy Mayor Other full-time Councillors, if any |
| Level 4 | Part-time Councillors |
3.4 The upper limit of basic salary for full-time Executive Mayors of Category 6 municipalities
The upper limit of the annual basic salary of a full-time Executive Mayor of the largest category (No.6) municipality be determined to be an amount equal to 75% of the basic salary of a Member of the Executive Council of a Provincial Legislature calculated on the following basis:
| Total Remuneration of an MEC | R441 980 | |
| Less Motor Vehicle allowance | R88 396 | |
| Element to maintain more than one household | R39 010 | |
| Parliamentary allowance
|
R40 000 = | R 167 406 R274 574 R 68 544 R205 934 |
3.5 Remuneration differentials between different levels of Municipal Councillors
The remuneration differentials between the different levels of political office bearers of a particular municipality be determined as follows:
| Level 1 | 100% |
| Level 2 | 80% |
| Level 3 | 72% |
| Level 4 | Remuneration determined in accordance with paragraph 3.6 (a) & (b) |
3.6 Part-time Municipal Councillors: Standard Times & Rates
- The Upper Limit of the Standard Monthly Hours applicable to part-time Councillors of the different grades of municipalities be determined as follows:
Position Standard Monthly Hours for the different Grades of Municipalities
Grade 1 & 2 Grade 3 & 4 Grade 5 & 6 Mayor/Chairperson of Exco 40 62 100 Member of Exco 28 38 52 Ordinary Member 24 30 36
- The Upper Limit of the Standard Remuneration Rate per hour applicable to the different grades of municipalities be determined as follows:
Grade of Municipality Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Rate/hour R55 R65 R76 R88 R100 R113 3.7 Remuneration Capping
To ensure the affordability of the remuneration cost of Municipal Councillors to a municipality, the relevant Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of a Province, in the determination of the remuneration of Municipal Councillors of a particular municipality -
- adjust the applicable standard time and/or standard rates as set out in paragraph 3.6 (a) and (b), appropriately downwards; and
- determine the upper limit of the percentage of income, which a municipality may expend on councillor remuneration as follows:
Grade of Municipality Percentage of Income 6 1,5% 5 2% 3 & 4 2,5% 1 & 2 3% 3.8 Allowances
- The Upper Limit for the following allowances to be added to the basic salary as determined in accordance with paragraphs 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 be as follows:
Traveling Allowance That the present system of allowances be retained as an interim measure and where applicable that actual kilometers travelled be compensated at prevailing AA rates, subject to the submission of documentary proof (ii) Telephone Allowance:
Full-time members
Part-time membersR250 per month
R500 per month(iii) Use of personal facilities for community liaison R200 per month
- The payment of a telephone allowance as set out in paragraph 3.8(a)(ii) above be subject to the submission of documentary proof of expenditure.
In respect of the allowance for the use of personal facilities for community liaison, the relevant MEC should take into account the facilities available in a municipality area and the characteristics of a municipality, in terms of physical ward size and the availability of ward facilities.
3.9 Medical Aid
Full-time Municipal Councillors be allowed to join a medical aid scheme of their choice, which is registered with the Registrar of Medical Aid Funds; and
the municipality pay a monthly contribution amounting to two thirds of the actual premium payable by the member in respect of the member and his/her immediate dependent/family members as determined by the relevant Medical Aid Fund, subject to a maximum municipality contribution not exceeding an amount equal to the amount payable by the State in respect of its full- time employees, or a lessor amount as determined by the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Local Government.
3.10 Pension Benefits
A retirement dispensation for full-time Municipal Councillors be established on a national basis, similar to that provided for public office bearers at national and provincial levels of government;
- the contribution be as follows:
Council - 15% of Total Remuneration Member - 7%% of Total Remuneration; and
- the existing Municipal Councils Pension Funds be closed provided that the rights of the various stakeholders be carefully considered and evaluated. A negotiated resolution of this issue should be initiated under the leadership of the relevant Ministers at national government level.
3.11 Dual Membership
Municipal Councillors who are members of two municipal councils be remunerated as follows:
- Part-time Members
An amount based on the standard rate, as set out in paragraph 3.6 (b), and standard hours as set out in the table below be paid by the local Municipal Council of which he/she is a member _and an amount based on the standard rate, as set out in paragraph 3.6 (b), and standard hours as set out in the table below be paid by the District Council of which he/she is also a member:
Position Standard Monthly Hours for the different Grades of Municipalities Grade 1 & 2 Grade 3 & 4 Grade 5 & 6 Mayor/Chairperson of Exco 22 44 82 Member of Exco 10 20 34 Ordinary Member 6 12 18
- Full-time Members
No additional remuneration, other than the remuneration determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.5 be paid.
3.12 Official work outside the area of jurisdiction of the municipality of which a Councillor is a member
The cost for travel and accommodation at acceptable rates as determined by the relevant MEC be paid to all municipal councillors on a reimbursive basis.