With counting underway following the NSW Local Government Elections, Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) is making preparations for the first meeting of the new council.
Once results have been finalised by the NSW Electoral Commission, successful candidates will be notified to take an oath or affirmation ahead of an Extraordinary Meeting to conduct a Mayoral Election.
The oath / affirmation is a requirement of every councillor before the first meeting of a newly elected council, and must occur before a Mayoral Election can take place, along with other legislated requirements.
DRC CEO Murray Wood said the organisation was working on two possible scenarios.
"The results must first be declared by the NSW Electoral Commission," said Mr Wood. "The Governance team is planning for two scenarios in regard to holding the first council meeting, which will be to elect a Mayor and to consider creating the Deputy Mayor role and subsequent vote.
"According to the Local Government Act, this needs to be done within three weeks of the election result being declared."
The two scenarios are:
- If successful candidates are declared on or before 22 December 2021, the first council meeting will be held at 3pm on 23 December 2021, subject to the new councillor's availability.
- If successful candidates are declared from the 23rd to 24th December 2021, the first meeting of council will take place on 11 January 2022.
A Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country followed with a morning tea to welcome family and friends will also take place on January 11.
A robust and comprehensive On Boarding and Induction program has been planned for the new councillors, involving in-house and externally facilitated sessions to be held throughout January and February
"The plans we are working towards for the first meeting of council will assist with a seamless transition into public office for the newly elected body, and we look forward to continuing to serve the community going into this next term of council," said Mr Wood.
