Improving engagement in the community is on the wishlist of newly elected Hepburn Shire Council mayor John Cottrell.
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“I want to make sure the process of engagement is one that does engage and listen and understand the meaning that is provided by the community as a group, not necessarily just the loudest voices,” Cr Cottrell told The Advocate.
The Holcombe ward councillor was elected mayor at a statutory meeting last Wednesday night in Daylesford and will serve for the next 12 months.
He takes over from Cr Sebastian Klein.
Cr Cottrell served as deputy mayor for the 2016-17 year. He first began in the role of councillor in 2016 after moving to Glenlyon from Melbourne five years ago.
“Good governance underpins the accountability and transparency required for council to achieve positive recognition by the community of ‘Our Council’ – I am committed to this endeavour.”
Cr Cotttrell currently represents Hepburn Shire Council at Municipal Associations Victoria (MAV) and is a member of the MAV Professional Development Reference Group.
Cr Don Henderson was elected as deputy mayor.
He said he will fulfill a supporting role to the mayor.
“The fact that I am the deputy mayor will give a bit of balance to the east – west situation (Cr Cottrell is from the east and Cr Henderson from the west of the shire).
“In the deputy mayoral role I will certainly be working hard to make sure people are being represented across the whole shire.”
Both will serve a one year term in the leading council positions.
CEO Aaron van Egmond congratulated Cr Cottrell and Cr Henderson on their election.
“The election of Cr Cottrell and Cr Henderson to the roles of mayor and deputy mayor brings a good mix of skills to the leadership of council. I look forward to working closely with both the mayor and deputy mayor as we deliver important services for our community and projects contained in our Council Plan 2017-21,” Mr van Egmond said.