In September, deputy mayor Monica Morse, through a notice of motion, raised concerns about the council's leadership in the weeks after the December 4 local government election.

With a higher number of postal votes anticipated, which can be accepted until December 17, it will likely take weeks for the election results to be finalised.

READ MORE: Timing of council election could see city without a mayor until Christmas

Depending on the timing of the results, Bathurst could be without a mayor for some time, as that position is determined by a separate mayoral election with the councillors.

However, a report to Wednesday's council meeting details a plan to ensure there is still some representation over that period.

The report from general manager David Sherley states that council has received advice from the Office of Local Government on how to proceed.

"There is nothing to prevent councils from authorising the outgoing mayor to continue to exercise the civic and ceremonial functions normally exercised by the mayor during this period in the absence of a mayor, should they wish to do so, (even though the outgoing mayor will have ceased to hold any civic office in the council as of the day of election)," the OLG said.

"Given the possibility that the outgoing mayor may not be re-elected at the election and may therefore cease to be accountable to the council and the community, councils should refrain from making any delegations to the outgoing mayor."

Based on this advice, Mr Sherley has recommended that Cr North be delegated the authority to "carry out civic and ceremonial functions of the mayoral office, between election day and the holding of the mayoral election after the election".

"This will provide continuity for council and the community of representation from the elected body," Mr Sherley said.

"It is to be noted that the practice of the mayor continuing his/her role has always been standard protocol for councils across the state. The ruling of the mayor ceasing to hold office has only just occurred for this election and has been objected to by the industry."

Councillors will make a determination at Wednesday's ordinary meeting of council.

Cr North has been a Bathurst regional councillor since 2004 and was elected mayor in July, 2021.

While Cr North would carry out some of the responsibilities of mayor from December 4 to the next mayoral election if made a delegate, he would not be paid as he would no longer be a councillor or mayor.

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