Agenda of Extraordinary Council Meeting - Thursday, 16 October 2025

Councillor Contact Details

Granville Ward
Clr Ola Hamed (Mayor)	0405 070 007	Ola.Hamed@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Steve Christou	0419 651 187	Steve.Christou@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Joseph Rahme	0418 995 471	Joseph.Rahme@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Greystanes Ward
Clr Dr Diane Colman	0400 279 200	Diane.Colman@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Eddy Sarkis	0425 348 000	Eddy.Sarkis@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Nadima Kafrouni-Saba	0447 605 158	Nadima.KafrouniSaba@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Regents Park Ward
Clr Enver Yasar	0497 428 929	Enver.Yasar@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Helen Hughes	0400 264 534	Helen.Hughes@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Steve Yang	0448 836 197	Steve.Yang@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
South Granville Ward
Clr Paul Garrard	0414 504 504	Paul.Garrard@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Ahmed Ouf	0449 877 141	Ahmed.Ouf@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Glenn Elmore	0418 459 527	Glenn.Elmore@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Wentworthville Ward
Clr Michael Zaiter (Deputy Mayor)	0418 432 797	Michael.Zaiter@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Suman Saha	0419 546 950	Suman.Saha@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Sujan Selventhiran	0427 104 940	Sujan.Selventhiran@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Statement of Ethical Obligations

Oath or Affirmation of Office

In taking the Oath or Affirmation of Office, each Councillor has made a commitment to undertake the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of Cumberland and Cumberland City Council and that they will faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act 1993 or any other Act to the best of their ability and judgment.

Conflicts of Interest

A councillor who has a conflict of interest in any matter with which the council is concerned, and who is present at a meeting of the council when the matter is being considered, must disclose the interest and the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable. Both the disclosure and the nature of the interest must be recorded in the minutes of the Council meeting where the conflict of interest arises. Councillors should ensure that they are familiar with Parts 4 and 5 of the Code of Conduct in relation to their obligations to declare and manage conflicts of interests.

For information on Council services and facilities please visit www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Extraordinary Council Meeting

16 October 2025

Item No: EC10/25-195

Election of Deputy Mayor

Responsible Division: Governance and Risk

Officer: Director Governance and Risk

Community Strategic Plan Goal: Transparent and accountable leadership

Summary

This report outlines the procedures for the election of the Deputy Mayor, and recommends that Council conduct an election process to accord with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993.

Recommendation

That:

1. Council determine that a Councillor will be elected as Deputy Mayor for the ensuing term to 30 September 2026, in accordance with Section 231(1) of the Local Government Act 1993;

2. Council determine the method of voting for the Election of the Deputy Mayor; and

3. In accordance with Schedule of 7 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, the General Manager as the Returning Officer proceed to conduct the election of the Deputy Mayor.

Report

At the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 16 October 2024, Council resolved (Min.814):

“That:

1. Council endorse the report.

2. Council determine that in the event of more than one nomination being received for either election, that the Election of the Mayor and/or the Election of the Deputy Mayor, be undertaken by the open voting method.

3.Council determine that the Mayor will be elected for the ensuing term for a period until a subsequent election is held on 30 September 2026.

4.Council determine that a Deputy Mayor will be elected for a 1 year term, for a period until a subsequent election is held on 16 October 2025.

5. In accordance with Schedule of 7 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, the General Manager as the Returning Officer proceed to conduct both the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.”

As a result of Council’s resolution, Council is now required to elect a Deputy Mayor for a period to 30 September 2026. Deputy Mayors hold their office for the Mayoral term or a shorter term as specified by the Council’s resolution. It should be noted however, that councils are not required to have a Deputy Mayor.

Given Council resolved as its meeting held on 16 October 2024 to elect a Mayor for the period to 30 September 2026, the next Deputy Mayor term cannot exceed this date.

The Deputy Mayor will hold office for a period in accordance with Council’s resolution, which cannot be longer than the Mayoral term but can be shorter if Council desires.

Nominations

Under the Local Government Act 1993, Councillors may be nominated without notice for election as Deputy Mayor. The nomination must be in writing by two or more Councillors (one of whom may be the nominee) and is not valid unless the nominee has indicated consent to the nomination in writing. The nomination form can be delivered to the Returning Officer any time up to and including the calling of nominations for each election. A copy of the Nomination form is attached to this report.

Procedures for Deputy Mayor Election

The Deputy Mayoral Election will be conducted in accordance with the attached Office of Local Government – Mayoral Election Procedures and Schedule 7 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021. Attachment 1 to this report outlines the Office of Local Government – Mayoral Election Fact Sheet. The General Manager is the nominated Returning Officer for the election of Deputy Mayor. The Director Governance and Risk will assist the Returning Officer with the election process.

The Returning Officer will indicate that the election will be conducted in accordance with the Local Government Act and Regulations. Council is first required to determine the method of voting to be used for the election.

If only one Councillor is nominated, that Councillor is duly elected. If more than one Councillor is nominated, Council is to proceed to determine the method of voting via one of the following options:

· Open voting – i.e. by show of hands.

· Ordinary ballot – i.e. a secret ballot (place an “X” against the candidate of their choice);

· Preferential ballot – i.e. place 1, 2, 3 etc. against each candidate;

Method of Voting

Open voting is the most transparent method of voting at Council meetings. It allows the community to see and understand the voting that has occurred. It is also the voting method which reflects normal Council voting methods. If Council decided to conduct the election by preferential or ordinary ballot, then the General Manager will conduct the election as outlined in the Regulations and as per the attached Office of Local Government – Mayoral Election Procedures.

Once the Deputy Mayoral election has concluded, and the result is declared by the Returning Officer, the Deputy Mayor takes up his or her seat in the Chamber.

Community Engagement

The result of the Deputy Mayoral election (including the name of the candidate elected as Deputy Mayor) is:

(a) To be declared to the councillors at the council meeting at which the election is held by the returning officer, and

(b) To be delivered or sent to the Director-General and to the Secretary of the Local Government and Shires Associations of New South Wales.

Council will clearly publicise and communicate the results of the election as required.

Policy Implications

There are no policy implications for Council associated with this report.

Risk Implications

Adherence to the attached Procedures will ensure Council meets its statutory obligations in electing a Deputy Mayor, in accordance with the Local Government Act and Regulation.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications for Council associated with this report.

CONCLUSION

It is now recommended that Council proceed with the Deputy Mayoral election, in accordance with its resolution of 16 October 2024.

Attachments

1. OLG Fact Sheet - Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor by Councillors

2. Nomination Form