The pair ousted Jim Maher and Herman Beyersdorf at the annual mayoral elections on Monday, garnering a majority in a secret ballot.

Cr Bishop’s first call as mayor was to organise a workshop for all 10 councillors within the month, where each could share their personal aspirations and vision for Armidale. “There is a lot of experience and talent among councillors and I want to put this to the best use,” Cr Bishop said yesterday.

He said he also wanted to look at the processes of Council “because I think we can achieve more in a shorter time”. Cr Bailey said her priorities as deputy mayor were financial prudence and making the city more business-friendly.

“I think we could look at development applications and see how Council could speed up the process there,” Cr Bailey said.

In his first night as mayor at Monday night’s council meeting, Cr Bishop stuck an L-plate on the desk as he took up his new position, in a bid to make light of his inexperience as mayor.  He only moved to Armidale four years ago.

Both were only elected to Armidale Dumaresq Council last year.

Cr Bishop said he travelled Australia and he and his wife mulled living in other cities before deciding on Armidale.

Cr Bailey moved to Armidale aged one and apart from a short stint living in Sydney, has been here ever since.

They both said they felt passionate about Armidale and were keen to see it prosper.

Yesterday, Cr Maher said the leadership change was a “coup”  and the challenge had been hatched for quite some time.

“I’m obviously very disappointed because I had worked enormous hours and achieved a lot,” Cr Maher said.

“I am all for promoting economic development and I believe my record stands on that.”

He ruled out political ambitions outside Armidale.

The mayors of Uralla and Guyra had no trouble keeping their roles for another year on Monday but were interested spectators in Armidale’s leadership upheaval. Hans Hietbrink was re-elected unopposed for a sixth year as Guyra mayor, while Audrey McArdle kept her role as deputy after she and Dean Heagney ran for that position.

Cr Hietbrink said he was interested to see the change in leadership in Armidale and would endeavour to speak to Cr Bishop.

“We will make contact with Laurie,” Cr Hietbrink said.

“I had a good working relationship with Jim Maher.

“Guyra and Armidale Dumaresq have a service sharing arrangement, mostly through the senior staff, but it’s good to have a working relationship on the council side of things as well.”

Michael Pearce was the only candidate for Uralla mayor and was returned for a second year.

Deputy Bob Crouch also remains.

Cr Pearce has already congratulated the new Armidale mayor.

“I’ve already spoken to Laurie about a new, fresh relationship with Armidale council,” Cr Pearce said.