LEN Robinson has been elected mayor of Blacktown Council.
In a brief speech to the chamber, he thanked his Liberal colleagues for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of Blacktown.
Cr Robinson promised council business would "be a very different process" during his 12 months in the position.
Independent councillor Russ Dickens was elected deputy mayor.
"I respect the confidence placed in me from all sides of this chamber," he said.
With seven of the 15 councillors each from the Liberal and Labor parties and one independent, the make-up of this council is significantly different to the Labor-dominated chamber of recent years.
New faces — councillors Walter Smith, Mark Holmes, Karlo Siljeg, Susai Benjamin and Isabelle White — were welcomed to their first meeting and outgoing councillors thanked for their commitment to the people of Blacktown while in office.
What would you like Councillor Robinson to do in his new role as Blacktown mayor? Comment at www.stmarysstar.com.au.