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Election of Deputy Lord Mayor

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Determined

Decisions:

File No: S062388

Memorandum by the Chief Executive Officer

To Council:

Sections 231(2) and (3) of the Local Government Act 1993 provide:

(i)          the Councillors may elect a person from among their number to be the deputy mayor; and

(ii)         the person may be elected for the mayoral term or a shorter term.

Payment of Fees

Section 249 of the Act provides:

(i)          a Council may pay the deputy mayor (if there is one) a fee determined by the Council for such time as the deputy mayor acts in the office of the mayor.  The amount of the fee so paid must be deducted from the mayor’s annual fee.

On 5 June 2000, the City of Sydney Council resolved to:

(i)          “Pay Councillors the maximum of the range (as determined annually by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal) as a matter of standing policy.

(ii)         Pay the Lord Mayor the maximum of the range (in addition to his fee as a Councillor) - as a matter of standing policy (less the Deputy Lord Mayor’s fee).

(iii)        Pay the Deputy Lord Mayor, in addition to her fee as a Councillor, an amount equal to 10% of the mayoral fee actually paid to the Lord Mayor as a matter of standing policy.”

Call for Nominations

At the Council meeting of 18 September 2017, Councillor Jess Miller was elected Deputy Lord Mayor in accordance with the provisions of section 231 of the Local Government Act 1993 for a term commencing immediately and ending on 30 September 2018.

Nominations for the office of Deputy Lord Mayor are now invited. Nominations must be made in writing by two or more Councillors (one of whom may be the nominee). Nomination forms will be provided to Councillors.

 

Conduct of Election

The Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 provides the method of conducting an election for Deputy Lord Mayor (further details on election procedures will be provided to Councillors). The last time the Deputy Lord Mayor’s position was contested the method of voting selected by the Council was open, exhaustive voting.

Recommendation

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council elect a Deputy Lord Mayor for a term effective immediately until 30 September 2019;

(B)        the method of voting be by open, exhaustive voting; and

(C)       the Chief Executive Officer conduct the election forthwith.

MONICA BARONE

Chief Executive Officer

 

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Miller –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council elect a Deputy Lord Mayor for a term effective immediately until 30 September 2019;

(B)        the method of voting be by open, exhaustive voting; and

(C)       the Chief Executive Officer conduct the election forthwith.

Carried unanimously.

At this stage of the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer, as Returning Officer, called upon the Acting Council Business Co-ordinator to assist with the conduct of the ballot.

The Acting Council Business Co-ordinator announced that one duly completed, written nomination had been received, namely –

Councillor Linda Scott (nominated by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Scully)

The Acting Business Co-ordinator invited other nominations from Councillors for the office of Deputy Lord Mayor.

The Acting Council Business Co-ordinator announced that a second, duly completed, written nomination had been received, namely –

Councillor Christine Forster (nominated by Councillor Chung, seconded by Councillor Forster)

Councillors Scott and Forster in turn indicated acceptance of their nominations.

An election for the office of Deputy Lord Mayor was then conducted, in alphabetical order, and resulted as follows –

Councillor Forster – 3 votes

Councillor Scott – 7 votes

The Acting Council Business Co-ordinator then declared Councillor Scott duly elected to the office of Deputy Lord Mayor in accordance with the provisions of section 231 of the Local Government Act 1993 for a term commencing immediately and ending on 30 September 2019.

Note – the Chair (the Lord Mayor) congratulated Councillor Scott on her election as Deputy Lord Mayor, and thanked Councillor Miller for her work in the role of Deputy Lord Mayor.

 

 

Report author: Meg Fox

Publication date: 17/09/2018

Date of decision: 17/09/2018

Decided at meeting: 17/09/2018 - Council

Accompanying Documents:

 

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