XN000022-1989-11-17 — Page 13

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17. 1989

11

FURTHER PROVISION FOR MEETING COURT COSTS

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY)

LEGAL

APPROVED

THE

ALLOCATION

DEPARTMENT ΤΟ MEET ESTIMATED

OF AN EXTRA $5 MILLION TO THE COURT COSTS FOR THE REST OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE OF THE AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT IN CRIMINAL AND FINANCIAL YEAR.

PROVISION OF COSTS THAT MAY

COURT CASES

$5 MILLION REPRESENTS AN BE AWARDED AGAINST THE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE

THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE OCTOBER 31 STOOD AT $9,480,303, OF WHICH $6,223,526

PAYMENT CASES AND THE REST IN CIVIL CASES.

OF COSTS UP TO WAS IN CRIMINAL

THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE ON COURT COSTS

IN 1988-89 WAS $40.74

MILLION.

MORE FLEXIBILITY PROPOSED IN PAYMENT OF UC/RC ALLOWANCES

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN AMENDMENT IN THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCES TO REMOVE A QUALIFICATION ON THE TYPE OF ALLOWANCE THE COUNCIL MAY PAY TO ITS MEMBERS.

THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AMENDMENT BILLS WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NOVEMBER 29.

ON

A

THE EXISTING PROVISIONS RESTRICT THE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES SOLELY TO EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISCHARGE OF MEMBER'S OFFICE. THEY DO NOT COVER MEMBERS' LOSS OF SALARY OR WAGES AS A RESULT OF THEIR ATTENDANCE TO COUNCIL DUTIES.

"THIS QUALIFICATION IS UNNECESSARILY RESTRICTIVE AND THE BILLS SEEK TO REMOVE SUCH A RESTRICTION. IN ADDITION, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE PAID TO MEMBERS WITHOUT REQUIRING THEM FIRST TO CERTIFY THAT THEY HAVE INCURRED EXPENSES TO THAT AMOUNT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

FOLLOWING THE AMENDMENT,

THE

THE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES ΤΟ

"

ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS WILL BE BROUGHT MORE IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICES OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND OMELCO, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

/MEMBERS MAY