COUNCILLORS will jump straight into business with a number big decisions on the table at the first Newcastle council meeting for the new term this week.
The winds of change have well and truly blown through the chamber, with incumbent Independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge at the helm, one of six new faces joining the council.
The first order of business on Tuesday will be the election of the deputy mayor, with the second-in-charge to take the baton from former deputy mayor, Labor's Declan Clausen.
Cr Clausen can still put his hand up for the role, with the decision likely to be made by open voting.
The new council will also need to decide whether a countback election or byelection will be used in the event a councillor vacates their seat within 18 months of the election.
A countback election would see the NSW Electoral Commission returning officer contact all unelected candidates who may still qualify to be elected.
If candidates are interested they will have to submit a formal application to the returning officer.
If there are multiple vacancies, a separate countback election is held for each spot.
It is a much cheaper option for the ratepayer, at an estimated cost of $6000 compared to a by-election at $150,000.
Next on the agenda, councillors will set out the instruments of delegation for the mayor and chief executive Jeremy Bath, essentially laying out the limitations of their powers.
If it is given the green light, the chief executive will not be able to accept tenders above $2 million for a single project or $3 million for a panel tender.
A report to councillors recommends raising the threshold for single tenders to $2 million "in light of CPI increases in recent years".
Since 2017, tenders at City of Newcastle above $1 million have required a decision by councillors.
Councillors will also put their hands up for a number of internal and external committees, as well as Newcastle Airport related companies.
Newcastle's chief executive and lord mayor have acted as the city's representatives on Newcastle Airport Partnership related entities since 2013, and on Greater Newcastle Aerotropolis and Newcastle Airport since 2018.
Four notices of motion have been put forward by councillors.
The motions including a commitment to expanding the city's playground renewal program, a request for a briefing on the Minmi Road widening project, a commitment to building 20 kilometres of new footpaths in the next four years and a new seating chart for the chamber.
As part of his election campaign, Cr Kerridge wanted councillors to be seated in ward groups, rather than party political groupings to "foster a more united approach to looking after the community rather than winning elections and dividing the council".
A joint motion from Labor, Liberals and the Greens has each party sat together with Cr Kerridge's running mates Peter Gittins and Mark Brooker flanking him on either side of the mayor's chair.
The first Newcastle council meeting will start at 6pm.
