Putting my Hand up for Mayor in Council’s January meeting.

With the pending resignation of our Mayor Lachlan Clyne I am putting my Hand up to be Mayor leading up to 2018 November local government elections.

As I have blogged previously Lachlan Clyne, our Mayor, intends to resign in January. He is doing this in his pursuit of seeking the seat of Badcoe in the March State elections. The timing of the announcement is designed to avoid a costly bi-election.

Assuming he does resign, Council will appoint from within its ranks a replacement rather there be a bi-election. Section 54 (8) of the Local Government Act refers

If a casual vacancy occurs in the office of mayor—
(a) on or after 1 January of a year in which a periodic election is due to be held
(and before polling day for that periodic election); or
(b) within 7 months before polling day for a general election (other than a
periodic election) (the date of that polling day being known at that time),
a member chosen by the council may act in the office of mayor until the conclusion of the election.

I have confirmed to my colleagues in my written report to the November Council meeting that it is my intention to nominate at the January meeting.

I do so believing that Council needs continuity in the role of Mayor. Given my involvement in the last three months, my continuing in the role until the next election will provide I believe in the eyes of the public a stable governance for Council. For stability.

I have enjoyed taking on the responsibility for filling in for the Mayor over the last three months. Continuing in the role makes sense. Rather than someone else  starting from scratch for the ensuing the mere 7 months leading up to the caretaker mode and the election.

And I have the time, the energy and the enthusiasm to give to the role. So I am putting my hand up.