Should ratepayers shell out for councillors to get a free lunch?
The topic of funded meals supplied to councillors and staff during meetings has been hotly debated recently, after Hutt City councillor Campbell Barry hit the headlines when he asked why councillors, including himself, were given a free meal, when most workers in the districts they serve have to pay for their own.
Mr Barry said he "felt sick to my stomach" when he saw a buffet meal, paid for by ratepayers, after a discussion about the living wage in which councillors only agreed to pay it if it was the most cost-effective option.
Horowhenua District councillors also get catered meals that are not part of their contracted remuneration.
Council's governance and executive team leader Sue Hori Te Pa confirmed a spend of $10,146 for the year ending 30 June 2016, and said the cost of providing an evening meal for elected members and staff can range from $150 to $450, depending on how many are being catered for.
Ms Hori Te Pa confirmed the meals were paid for by ratepayers as part of the council's governance budget, which is adopted each year as part of the Annual or Long Term Plan process.
The figure included all council meetings, briefings, committee meetings and events and functions such as citizenship ceremonies and civic honours awards.
Mr Barry had since put forward a motion calling for Hutt City councillors to bring their own lunches to meetings instead, or be personally invoiced for catering, however there are no moves to change the status quo.
Deputy Mayor Wayne Bishop felt debate around the topic was "ridiculous" and that the funding was "not a biggy."
Councillor Christine Mitchell said councillors often worked full-time and were then expected to attend meetings starting at 4pm that could stretch into the evening. She felt it was important to have a meal break, and that councillors having to pay would be unnecessary.
Councillor Piri-Hira Tukupua said she supported meetings being catered by companies around the district to spread the spend, and that funded meals for councillors was "okay as long as it's kept to a minimum and isn't excessive".
Ms Hori Te Pa said council meetings can often run until 9pm, so providing an evening meal takes into account a commitment to provide for staff and elected members.
"As a good employer, we take the wellbeing and timely breaks for staff seriously and also take into account that meeting participants and staff are missing their evening meal at home with their families," she said. "Staff are not paid overtime for attending meetings after hours."
Councils around the country spend different amounts of ratepayer money feeding councillors and staff.
For the 2016/17 financial year, Western Bay of Plenty District Council budgeted $52,000 and had spent $30,000 so far this year, Tauranga City Council budgeted $28,000 and spent $11,800, while Bay of Plenty Regional Council budgeted $15,000, with $14,400 spent.
Meals are not explicitly stated as included in the remuneration packages of Horowhenua District councillors or staff, and at least 10 different local suppliers are used to provide the food. Alcohol is not supplied.