Decision details

Memorandum by the Chief Executive Officer

To Council:

Section 224 of the Local Government Act 1993 requires that:

(1)        A council must have a least five and not more than 15 councillors (one of whom is the mayor.

(2)        Not less than 12 months before the next ordinary election, the council must determine the number, in accordance with subsection (1), of its councillors for the following term of office.

(3)        If the council proposes to change the number of councillors, it must, before determining the number, obtain approval for the change at a constitutional referendum.

Council is therefore required by section 224 of the Local Government Act 1993 to determine the number of councillors for the term of office to follow the elections to be held in September 2024.

I am not aware of any reason why Council would wish to increase or decrease the number of councillors.

Accordingly, it is not proposed to take any action in respect of the holding of a constitutional referendum to seek approval for such a change.

Recommendation

It is resolved that Council determines that the number of councillors be maintained at 10 for the following term of office of the City of Sydney Council, expected to commence in late 2024.

MONICA BARONE

Chief Executive Officer

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

It is resolved that Council determines that the number of councillors be maintained at 10 for the following term of office of the City of Sydney Council, expected to commence in late 2024.

Amendment. Moved by Councillor Ellsmore –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council determines that the number of councillors be maintained the following term of office of the City of Sydney Council, expected to commence in late 2024;

(B)       Council commits in principle that the number of councillors increase from 10 to a total of 15, for the term of office of the City of Sydney Council expected to commence in late 2028; and

(C)       The Chief Executive Officer be requested to progress necessary steps in respect of a constitutional referendum to be conducted with the election of councillors in 2024 to seek approval to increase the number of councillors to 15 (one of whom is the Lord Mayor). 

The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder.

Substantive motion carried unanimously.

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