Hamilton Mayor, Paula Southgate has reallocated former Councillor Ryan Hamilton’s portfolios among five Councillors following his resignation on his being elected as MP.
“With a strong set of Chairs and a hard-working and passionate group of Councillors, it makes sense to share Councillor Hamilton’s leadership roles across the talent,” Mayor Southgate said this morning.
Councillor Sarah Thomson, who has been acting in Hamilton’s absence, has been permanently appointed as Chair of the Strategic Growth and District Plan Committee, and as a member of the Strategic Risk and Assurance Committee.
According to Mayor Southgate, since being elected in 2019, Thomson has been committed to building a sustainable and prosperous community, for all Hamiltonians. Her key areas of focus include long-term infrastructure planning for a growing population (such as the southern wastewater treatment plants and public transport links), addressing housing affordability through District Plan changes, and advocating for a city deal to secure essential funding for infrastructure projects from central government.
“I have no doubt that Councillor Thomson will bring valuable expertise and leadership to these committees,” said Southgate.
Hamilton’s other portfolios will be allocated to:
- Councillor Mark Donovan, who has been appointed as a member of the Strategic Risk and Assurance Committee, as Chair of Regulatory
- Councillor Moko Tauariki, who has been appointed as a member of the Chief Executive Review Committee
- Deputy Mayor Angela O’Leary, who will be the Lead of the City Honours Panel
- Councillor Maxine van Oosten, who has been appointed as a member of the Investment Forum and MEF Advisory Group
Hamilton’s resignation more than 12 months out from an election, triggers a by-election for his Hamilton East seat. Nominations for the vacant seat will open on Friday 24 November and will close on Friday 22 December at 12pm.
