As in previous years, the deputy mayor will sit for a one-year term.

Crs Bell, Ledger and Strutt were nominated and given to opportunity to address the council.

Following the presentations, Cr Bell was elected with a majority of five votes and will stand in the position until September next year.

Councillors also chose their committee, organisation and external board representatives.

Council Standing Committees were scrapped, deemed ineffective by the majority of councillors.

And positions on the Strategic Community Consultative Panels, which include the access and disability, sport and recreation and tourism and promotion panels, were put on hold until Council workshops the panels’ future next month.

Mayor Pearce will continue his positions on the Northern Inland Regional Waste, Local Traffic, and Bushfire Liaison Committees.

He will also stand on the Community Precinct Safety Committee.

His deputy, Cr Bell, will sit on the Donations Assessment Panel with Crs Ward and Toomey and will also stand in the Mid North Weight of Loads Group.

Former deputy mayor Bob Crouch will represent Council on the Audit and Risk Committee with Cr Ledger acting as an observer.

Three councillors took an interest in the Bundarra Progress Association with Cr Crouch taking the position and Crs Dusting and Ledger acting as observers.

Cr Dusting will continue on the New England Weeds Authority Committee and will also stand on the Central Northern Regional Library Committee, a position that his late wife previously held.

First-time councillor Natasha Ledger will represent Council at Jobs Australia and will partner fellow newcomer Levi Sampson on the Australia Day Committee. 

All councillors will attend a training workshop in Tamworth next month.