KNOW YOUR COUNCIL: Watch, listen and have your say

The first meeting of the year for Richmond Valley Council is on Tuesday, January 18.

The new council includes mayor Robert Mustow, Sam Cornish, Patrick Deegan, Robert Hayes, Sandra Humphrys, Debra McGillan and Steve Morrissey.

Meetings

The council meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the Casino Council Chambers on Graham Place at 5pm.

The council also livestreams the meeting through their Facebook Page.

Council meets ten times each year. The dates for the meetings are:

• February 15

• March 15

• April 19

• May 17

• June 28 (budget meeting)

• July 19

• August 16

• September 20

• October 18

• November 15

• December 20

Have a say, ask a question

The meeting agenda is available on the council website the Friday before the meeting.

Anyone who wants to address the council on any listed matter or ask a question, can submit a request before 9.30am on the Monday prior to the meeting by email.

Each person is given five minutes to address the council at the beginning of the meeting.

Find out more about what to do if you’d like to speak at a council meeting by going here.

Tuesday’s meeting

One of the things to be discussed at the first meeting is:

Countback or byelection

If a councillor position becomes vacant, the council can choose for the first time to use a countback of votes to fill any vacancies. This helps to avoid the cost of holding a by-election. The cost of a countback is significantly less than running a byelection.

The issue will be voted on. The agenda shows the council recommends a countback.

Kyogle and Lismore councils chose the byelection option to fill any councillor vacancies.

Email council@richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au or call 6660 0300.