Council general manager Paul Henry has seen in five councils, and presents the new representatives with an induction process each time.

Mr Henry met with incoming councillors on Friday, walking them through the structure and responsibilities they will assume as councillors. 

“That was an introduction, giving the candidates information on the governance framework and things that will affect them immediately, such as the code of conduct, the meeting code,” Mr Henry said.

They received information on the role of council, mayor, general manager, those relationships, the determination, council portfolios, community meetings, and rules around defamation.

Mr Henry said the expectations of councillors has evolved with time.

“Council also still have the very broad powers to make decisions affecting their community, and over the years the focus has changed,” he said

“In the past, and it would have been traditional view of council’s role, that is, they only had to look after roads, rates and rubbish, over the years, the expectations are that council should take an interest in all aspects of community life, and that’s been one of the majors changes.

“The other change is the codification of the community expectation of the ethics and values required to be exhibited by all those in public life – there’s more codes of conduct. That was only introduced into local government back in the mid to early 2000s.”

Nominations for the mayor and deputy mayor positions close at 3pm when council assembles. The councillors will participate in the swearing-in ceremony before they are allowed to take their seats, and after the adoption of minutes, the mayoral positions will be addressed.

Mr Henry said nominations for the roles will be accepted up to the last minute. “Between now and 3 o’clok on Wednesday, anyone who’s seeking election to those offices have teh right to lodge a nomination form with me,” he said.