Cr Barbara Newton, Deputy Mayor and Cr Ken Keith OAM, Mayor of Parkes Shire.
Parkes Shire Council maintained its executive leadership on Tuesday, returning Councillors Ken Keith OAM and Barbara Newton to the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively.
It is the Mayor’s 13th year in the position, while Barbara marked her 6th year as Deputy Mayor.
The election of the two positions was necessary following an announcement in March this year by the Minister for Local Government that the NSW Local Government Elections scheduled for this month would be postponed to address the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus. All councils had their terms extended by twelve months.
As a result, Councils like Parkes who follow the recently introduced procedure of electing mayors and deputy mayors for a two-year term, had to carry an additional election for an extended twelve-month period.
“It is a really humbling experience to be Mayor of this shire and I am honoured to be able to carry out that role for another year,” said Ken.
“I think we are a wonderful Council and all Councillors are great contributors to the work of Council,” said Barbara, who admitted that due to the extension of the term she had to think long and hard about renominating.