THE City of Stirling is spending nearly $7000 to send its chief executive to a conference in the US.
Councillors at the May 22 meeting endorsed Stuart Jardine’s trip to Baltimore for the five-day International City Management Association annual conference in September.
A City report said the event was regarded as “one of the world’s foremost professional development opportunities for local government chief executives”.
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READ NOWThe report said Mr Jardine’s attendance would provide an opportunity to “enhance his knowledge of the innovative ideas and practical strategies” needed to deal with challenges facing local government.
As part of the chief executive’s employment contract, he is allowed one overseas conference per year but Cr David Lagan said he believed the conference costs should be covered in the total remuneration package rather than being an additional cost.
Mayor Mark Irwin said that meant it would not go to the council for consideration.
The City is expected to spend more than $6700 on the seven-day trip, including $3678 on airfares and $300 per night on accommodation.
Also in September, Cr Keith Sargent will attend the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Denmark.
In a City report, he said the five-day conference would enable him to “see best practice on current and emerging technologies and better understand how other cities across the world have combated the issue of transport that currently affects the City of Stirling.”
Cost of his attendance would be more than $4400, comprising an $1821 registration fee, accommodation and economy airfare, which will be covered by the elected members’ conference and training development allocation.
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