Pay rise for city council CEO | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A decision to bump the salary of city council chief executive Tony Marryatt has split the council, and public opinion, in half.   

Mr Marryatt has received a $68,129 pay rise, taking his annual salary from $470,400 to $538,529. Mayor Bob Parker, Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button, and city councillors Barry Corbett, Sue Wells, Aaron Keown, Claudia Reid and Jamie Gough voted in favour of the pay rise at a public excluded meeting last Thursday.   

Five councillors- Yani Johanson, Glenn Livingstone, Jimmy Chen, Sally Buck, Helen Broughton- voted against it. Tim Carter abstained.   

Mayor Bob Parker has defended the pay increase, saying Mr Marryatt's crucial role in Christchurch was worthy of such a salary and that it was on par with other chief executives in similar roles.   

But Mr Marryatt earns more than CERA CEO Roger Sutton ($500,000), CDHB CEO David Meates ($490,000), Canterbury University vice chancellor Rod Carr ($500,000) and Prime Minister John Key ($411,510).   

The Star's readers were appalled by the pay increase.   

Michael Stephen O'Brien said the pay rise was "very nice when you have friends in high places." "I guess the rest of us shop floor workers will have to go without so that we can pay for it."  

Megan Shane Flattery-Donohoe said: "My job is very stressful and very crucial- working from home and raising the next generation to be good responsible citizens who will contribute to the future and pay taxes. Where's my money?"  

The CEO pay review occurs annually, but was voluntarily frozen on Mr Marryatt's request last year on the basis that it was to occur the following year. This was set to arise in June, but was delayed six months due to the earthquake.   

"He applied for his job with CCC on the basis that he would continue to receive annual salary reviews. His reappointment begins midway through next year. Salary process is annual as part of a standard employee agreement," Mr Parker said.    

WHERE THAT MONEY COULD BE SPENT: 

Average basic weekly food costs for a family of four (two adults, a 10 year old and a 5 year old) living in Christchurch = $206. Yearly grocery costs for the same family of four= $10,712.   

Mr Marryatt's pay increase could pay for that family's groceries for 330 weeks or 6 families' groceries for a year.   

Average weekly cost of renting a 3 bedroom home in Riccarton= $340  

Mr Marryatt's pay increase could pay the rent for 200 weeks, or 3 houses' rent for a year.   

Average cost of a school uniform at a state school in Christchurch= $550   Mr Marryatt's pay increase could pay for 123 children's uniforms.