One of the few pieces of business to be conducted at the inaugural Ashburton District Council meeting was signing off the salaries.
The Remuneration Authority is the independent body that dictates the elected members’ salaries.
The council only has a say in how the pool of money is distributed. The remuneration pool increased $61,302 from $388,893 to $450,195.
As the role of deputy mayor is the only position of additional responsibility it comes with an increased salary of $80,003, up from $59,182 last year.
The other eight councillors will all receive the same base remuneration of $46,274 – up from $41,214 last year.
The remuneration pool doesn’t apply to the mayor or the Methven Community Board. The mayor’s salary for the remainder of the 2022/23 year is $132,690.
The Ashburton District Council also provides the role with a vehicle, which mayor Neil Brown has opted for full private use which will come with a salary reduction.
The Methven Community Board salaries have been set at $5554 for the chair, who will be selected at the inaugural meeting on Monday, and $2777 for members until June 30, 2023.

• By Jonathan Leask