Council meeting preview: Ordinary Council meeting – Monday 14 October

Published on 10 October 2024

The first meeting with the newly elected Council will take place at the Administrative Centre at Speers Point on Monday 14 October 2024, with an Ordinary Council meeting starting from 6:30pm.

Members of the public have the option to watch the proceedings live online at webcast.lakemac.com.au.

Below are some of the items listed for discussion. You can view the full agenda online.

Election of Deputy Mayor

Councillors will consider selecting a Deputy Mayor to assist in leading Council until the Ordinary Council meeting in September 2025.

The role of the Deputy Mayor is to represent the Mayor and undertake mayoral duties when the Mayor is absent.

Standing committees of Council and meeting schedule for 2024-2028

Councillors will consider maintaining the same meeting structure and schedule for Standing Committees, General Business Committees and Ordinary Council meetings for this Council term. 

Countback options for Councillor vacancies

The Council will discuss filling any casual vacancies that occur when a councillor leaves within 18 months following the most recent Council election, held on 14 September 2024.

Instead of holding a new election, these vacancies would be filled by a countback of the votes from that election.

Councillor nomination and charter review for Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

Councillors will consider adopting an updated charter for the Audit, Risk, and Improvement Committee and appoint one Councillor as the Councillor member of the ARIC for the Council term.

The charter outlines the committee’s purpose, authority, structure, responsibilities and reporting procedures. The current charter was approved in October 2023 and follows the Office of Local Government's guidelines for risk management and internal audits in NSW councils.

2024 Local Government NSW annual conference

Councillors will consider nominating Lake Macquarie Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors to attend the annual Local Government NSW Conference in Tamworth in November 2024.

LGNSW is an association representing NSW local councils and members. Their role is to support, promote, advocate for and represent the local government sector to serve our communities.