President for the past two years, Councillor Steve Pollard was re-elected unopposed for a two-year term.

“Thanks for the show of faith,” he said.

“We’ve done some good things over the past two years and I hope we can go forward.”

There had apparently been some jockeying for the position of Deputy Shire President.

As it was, nominations were received from Crs Terry Little, Bert Llewellyn and Kathy Saunders.

Before any ballot could be conducted, Cr Llewellyn gracefully withdrew his nomination.

“I have had the privilege to serve as Shire President and Deputy Shire President on previous occasions,” he said.

“There are two very worthy candidates and I am happy to retire.”

Cr Saunders was elected six votes to four.

It was all very civilised and the only grumpy moment during the special meeting came after Cr Ray Head called a point of order on the number of nominations for council’s Building Review Committee.

Nominated for the committee were Crs Michael Letch, Head, Ulo Rumjantsev, Llewellyn and Des Hughes.

On being told there were no conditions on the number of councillors who could be on the committee, Cr Head huffily remarked: “You’ll need to pick them up in a school bus.”

In fact the meeting was over so early, councillors and senior staff had dressed in their finery in vain.

The taking of the official photographs was put off.

In York Shire it was business as usual.

Cr Pat Hooper was elected Shire President and Cr Brian Lawrance Deputy President, both unopposed.