TWEED councillors will vote on giving themselves a 4.2% pay rise next week despite the new O'Farrell NSW government wanting to limit pay rises to 2.5% for most public servants and politicians.

Tweed Mayor Kevin Skinner said an even higher pay rise should be funded by cutting the number of councillors so “we can get someone with a bit of brains”.

Most councillors are expected to argue next Tuesday they are paid so little they deserve the rise.

This financial year most councillors are being paid $15,970 and the mayor $54,290 not including expenses, which are kept secret.

Cr Skinner said he had no problem with the higher increase and wanted even more – provided the number of councillors was reduced from seven to five.

Cr Skinner won't be present for Tuesday's vote because he and Cr Warren Polglase are due to attend a national local government conference in Canberra.

“I would have been happy to vote on it, but I will be happy enough with the decision made by the other councillors,” he said yesterday.

“But I would definitely think we should have what-ever the maximum is that's available.

“I would have argued for a reduction in the number of councillors so the councillors we have there could be paid more – definitely down to five and save the extra money the other two are being paid for the five that we would have.

“That way we can get someone with a bit of brains.

“There are a lot smarter people than me in this shire. We are not attracting them at all.”

Cr Polglase agreed, saying councillors worked an average 16 hours a week, while comparable councils in Queensland paid councillors $50,000-$60,000.

Deputy Mayor Barry Longland, who takes on the role of acting mayor for Tuesday's meeting, said the 4.2% pay rise amounted to about $13 a week.

“It doesn't sound unreasonable to me given the level of remuneration,” he said.