A MAYORAL Community Fund has been established, with a $17,000 pot for selected recipients.
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It has been set up from unused funds set aside for mayor and councillor expenses in the 2013-14 financial year.
Mayor Cr Liz Campbell is among the publicly-elected representatives that have waived financial entitlements.
She said the new fund upheld the intention of the cancelled 2013 New Year’s Eve fundraising party to provide money for community groups or individuals, on behalf of the council.
Unused expenses totalled $32,000 over the 12 months.
$15,000 of this has been used to meet the costs of organising and cancelling the fundraising event.
Cr Campbell said the $15,000 had been budgeted for use by councillors, therefore ratepayers had not lost out.
“Councillors are entitled to claim expenses to carry out their responsibilities,” she said.
“There was no obligation on any of us to give up expenses, and not everyone has the means to do so.
“The fact so much has been raised is a sign of councillors’ commitment to the community.”
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the establishment of the fund.
Separately, they gave full backing to an urgent motion tabled by Cr Sue McGinn to make the first contribution from the fund to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, which will hold its annual fundraising ball at the Kempsey-Macleay RSL Club tomorrow evening.
Cr Campbell said plans for a fundraising event to replace the New Year’s Eve party had been shelved.
There had been insufficient interest in a high-cost function, while a lower-cost event would have incurred significant expenses in pay for staff.
The mayor said the idea for the fund had been born during a flood period last year, and some of the money could be directed to future disaster relief.
Cr Campbell said councillors were keen to support the Macleay Education Fund, which provides financial assistance to selected applicants undertaking study and-or training.
Councillors would work together over this term of office to determine which community causes would receive support from the Mayoral Community Fund, she said.
Waived expenses in the 2012-13 financial year paid for the refurbishment of the Kempsey Shire Council chamber.
This provided new carpeting, furniture, blinds and a speaker system.