The contest for the next mayor and deputy of Armidale Regional Council was determined today with councillors voting Sam Coupland as mayor and Todd Redwood as deputy mayor.
The vote was taken by councillors after they were sworn in and took their oath or affirmation at the first council meeting of the newly elected representative body.
Mayor elect Cr Sam Coupland said he was excited and honoured to lead the council and work collaboratively with all councillors and the senior leadership team for the next two years representing the Armidale region.
"It was an honour today to stand beside my fellow councillors and take the oath of office to undertake my duties of the office of councillor and mayor in the interest of the people of the Armidale region," said Mayor Coupland
"I would like to thank my colleagues for their support and faith in my leadership and congratulate Councillor Redwood on his appointment as deputy mayor. The eyes of the community are rightly on us, but my sense is that their gaze is one of expectation in what we will be able to achieve in this term.
"I genuinely believe we have the right mix of skills and experience on the new council to turn this region around. The potential here is phenomenal and I plan to unlock all opportunities that are required to inject vibrancy into the region. I really see a big future for all the community."
