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THE hubbub after the council election is over and the wheels have started turning.
Nine new councillors have been appointed as community representatives for the Southern Highlands region and it’s now time for them to elect a mayor.
The first meeting of the new council will be held today from 5pm at the council chambers in Moss Vale Civic Centre on Elizabeth Street in Moss Vale.
A council spokesman said the later time of 5pm had been selected for the election meeting to allow members of the public to attend.
The September 28 Ordinary Meeting of Council will be more of a ceremonial meeting, with a very brief agenda set for the gathering.
In accordance with new guidelines set by the Office of Local Government, based on changes to the Local Government Act 1993, each councillor for the 2016-2020 term will need to take an ‘oath of office’
Councillors will make this affirmation of office to confirm they will undertake their duties in the best interests of the people of their shire, and do so faithfully and impartially to carry out their responsibilities to the best of their ability and judgment.
The election of mayor and deputy mayor will follow.
However, they will no longer serve a one-year term.
As part of reforms to local government structures in New South Wales, further amendments to the Local Government Act mean mayors and deputy mayors will now serve two-year terms.
Minister for Local Government Paul Toole said the changes would help to ensure council integrity.
“Together these changes will improve confidence in the ability of councils to deliver the services and infrastructure the community deserves,” he said.
He said the reform measures came after four years of consultation with councils, businesses and the wider community and would help to ensure councils put their communities first.
“The NSW Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to shape a new, stronger local government sector and we will continue working closely with the sector as the government develops future phases of reform to the Local Government Act,” he said.
The next meeting of council will take place on October 12. All meetings are open to the public and are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 3.30pm.