Clarence Valley council’s new councillors have elected Ian Tiley to lead the council until September 2023.

In his acceptance speech, Cr Tiley said the new council would be the start of “a time for reimagining the Clarence Valley”

“My goal is for this council to be a leading council [in NSW] … admired and respected [across] the community,” he said.

Mayor Tiley said “increasing trust is a high priority” and that he would “always fight for accountability and good governance”.

He said he will reintroduce “town hall” type meetings and that his door is “always open, no exceptions”.

The new council “will be about policy setting and continuous reviewing” of policies.

Cr Greg Clancy is the new deputy mayor.

Three councillors – Ian Tiley, Karen Toms and Debrah Novak – nominated for the mayoral position.

Voting was conducted by a show of hands.

Cr Allison Whaites-Bryant voted for Cr Toms, and Cr Jeff Smith voted for Cr Novak.

As both candidates had two votes each, a draw from a ‘hat’ eliminated Cr Novak.

The final vote for mayor: Ian Tiley (councillors William Day, Steve Pickering, Peter Johnstone, Greg Clancy and Ian Tiley); Karen Toms (councillors Debrah Novak, Jeff Smith, Allison Whaites and Karen Toms).

Councillors Greg Clancy, Jeff Smith and Allison Whaites nominated for deputy mayor.

Cr Clancy secured the same five votes that elected Cr Tiley to the mayoral position.

Full wrap-up of the meeting in the January 19 edition of the Independent.