Cobar’s mayor Peter Abbott and deputy mayor, Jarrod Marsden, will continue in their roles for the next two years after the mayor and deputy mayor positions were uncontested at last week’s Ordinary Council Meeting.
Following the swearing-in of the new council of 11 last Thursday, Cr Abbott and Cr Marsden were the only nominees for each position and so were duly re-elected.
Each of the new and returning councillors were requited to take an oath that they would undertake the duties of office of councillor in the best interest of the people of Cobar and the Cobar Shire Council.
Each vowed they would faithfully and impar-tially carry out their duties as per the Local Government Act 1993.
Following the mayoral election Cr Abbott said he was “honoured to be afforded this posi-tion”.
He said some ratepayers may question why a man of his age would take on the responsibility but said he was up to the task and would carry out the role to the best of his ability.
“I’m different in several ways than Lilliane [Brady OAM, former mayor], Cr Abbott said.
“I intend to bring all the Councillors in to-gether for any sort of discussions and not make unilateral declarations.”
Council’s General Manager Peter Vlatko explained a number of items to the new coun-cillors as the meeting progressed.
“As a new Council we will soon have to look at our strategic plan, our operational plan and our delivery plan,” Mr Vlatko said.
“Even though the budget process has already begun, that will also be part of what we’ll be looking at.”
Mr Vlatko advised councillors that while it appears that Council has a considerable amount of money in their bank account, a lot of the funds are restricted and some is grant money received in advance.
Councillors will be fully appraised of Coun-cil’s finances at a workshop this week.
