The first meeting of Central Coast Council to elect the mayor will take place as originally planned on Tuesday, October 8 after two councillors said they could not make the proposed new meeting date of October 14.
CEO David Farmer had canvassed the councillors about postponing the meeting until October 14 to allow John Mouland, elected in the Budgewoi ward, to return to Australia.
Council said that the majority of the councillors who responded were happy with the change of date but two indicated that they were unavailable on the alternative date, so it was decided to stay with October 8 which was proposed by the Council in Administration in October 2023 and which had been previously notified.
Mouland is on a long-anticipated family holiday that had been planned before he decided to stand for Council.
It is understood he is making plans to be at an Australian embassy to take the oath of office and to be able to participate in the extraordinary meeting via audio visual link.
The extraordinary meeting is important as the 15 councillors take the oath of office and then elect the mayor and deputy mayor.
A councillor must take an oath of office or make an affirmation of office at or before the first meeting of the council after the councillor is elected.
The Local Government Act states that the oath or affirmation may be taken or made before the general manager of the council, an Australian legal practitioner or a justice of the peace.
The councillors will undertake an extensive six-week induction program which starts on Saturday. October 5.
Council said this was to ensure they are briefed on all relevant administrative and policy items and actions.
“They will receive support from Council staff and external professionals throughout the induction program, which will equip them to undertake their new, important role as a Councillor for their community,” Council said.
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See the list of 15 councillors
See also the latest on council numbers; we might have less than 15 before 2028: its-a-fact-our-brand-new-15-councillors-are-irreplaceable