Rockingham residents to elect Mayor at next elections

Thursday, 24 September 2020 20:34

By Monique Welhan

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels. PIC: City of Rockingham

Rockingham residents will be able to elect the Mayor directly at the next local government elections after Council approved changes to the method of filling the position.

At a meeting on Tuesday, September 22, Council resolved to introduce an ‘elector Mayor’, which will replace the current system whereby Councillors elect the Mayor among themselves.

This change means the community will be able to vote directly on who should fill the office of Mayor at the next local government elections, which are scheduled to occur in October 2021.

Under the ‘elector Mayor’ system, the term of office for the Mayor will change from two to four years.

However, while the method of electing the Mayor and the length of the term they can serve will change, the legislative requirements of the role will remain the same.

The Mayor is required to preside at meetings in accordance with the Local Government Act, provide leadership and guidance to the community, carry out civic and ceremonial duties, speak on behalf of the City, perform any functions as required by the Act or other written law, and to liaise with the CEO on the City’s affairs and the performance of its functions.

The Mayor will also have the same decision making role as an individual councillor.

In approving changes to the method of filling the office of Mayor, Council also resolved to undertake a review of ward boundaries and councillor representation, given the impacts of the mayoral change.

This process of review on ward boundaries and councillor representation will start immediately and the City will carry out public consultation with the community prior to year’s end.

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