New council's first job to elect deputy mayor

THE region’s deputy mayor will be elected at the first meeting of Toowoomba Regional Council next Tuesday.

THE region's deputy mayor will be elected at the first meeting of Toowoomba Regional Council next Tuesday.

The councillors will also learn from Mayor Paul Antonio which portfolios they will be overseeing at the meeting.

Council is still deciding the specifics of what will take place, but at this stage is investigating a function before the meeting, where the new councillors will undertake a declaration of office before moving into the chamber.

The position of deputy mayor will likely be sought by three seasoned councillors - front-runner Carol Taylor, Nancy Sommerfield and Geoff McDonald.

The three councillors have eyed off the job, which is traditionally awarded to the councillor with the most votes - in this case Carol Taylor.

The 10 councillors will vote on the position, with Cr Antonio choosing not to take part in the voting.

Councillors need to be nominated for the position.

Cr Antonio has said two councillors would be in charge of each of the five portfolios of infrastructure, planning and development, water and waste, environment and community, and finance and business strategy.

It's the mayor's prerogative to determine the portfolios of the councillors

It's likely that no general business will be discussed but rather a schedule of council meeting will be laid out.

Last term the council met three times a month; twice for committee meetings and again for a general meeting.

The meeting is a statutory requirement for all new councils.

Originally published as New council's first job to elect deputy mayor