Tauranga City Councillor Rick Curach's reminder that according to the Remuneration Authority councillors are overpaid have been subdued by council.

The comments were made as part of discussion at yesterday's Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on the amounts councillors can claim for expenses during the term.

Councillor Rick Curach told councillors they were already overpaid at yesterday's council meeting.

In July the government agency that sets mayoral and councillors' pay, recommended a pay cut of $4671, bringing Tauranga City Councillors base salary down from $74,171 to $69,500.

It was going to be a pay cut of $17,500, but the Remuneration Authority considers it will have too great an adverse impact on councillors re-standing and is denigrating for new councillors.

Yesterday Rick said councillors are already overpaid so why claim additional money off the authority in expenses.

Murray Guy rose to the bait, saying he was at his wit's end understanding on what basis councillor Curach thinks they are overpaid.

Chairman David Stewart, who earlier warned councillors to ‘play nice' under the election pressure of the next six weeks, says councillor Curach is entitled to his opinion.

'And so am I,” says Murray.

The expenses include vehicle mileage allowances, air travel policy and communications equipment.

Councillors took issue with the Remuneration Authority's definition of council business in relation to social events. Councillors argue they attend many social events as councillors they wouldn't otherwise attend

Electronic equipment they will claim includes a mobile phone and landline, a PC or tablet, and a compatible scanner and printer.

Councillors will provide their own equipment and be reimbursed. The allowance for land line and broadband is up to $250 each year, plus up to $400 allowance each year for council generated calls texts and data over mobile phones

The pay cuts and the expenses policy take effect after the elections on October 12.