OUR ELECTED LEADERS

Maitland City Council has a popularly elected Mayor and 12 councillors representing our city, elected in four wards North, West, Central and East. Wards are established to have an equal number of voters.

Elected in December 2021, Council now has the highest representation of female council members in its history.

In January 2022, councillors elected Councillor Mitchell Griffin to undertake the role of Deputy Mayor until the next local government election, scheduled for September 2024.

Council represents our community by:

• actively reviewing and debating matters that come before them for decisions

• participating in the allocation of Council’s resources to optimise benefits to the community

• assisting in the creation and undertaking reviews of Council’s policies, strategies, plans and programs

• reviewing the management performance of Council and our delivery of services

• facilitating communication between residents and Council

• providing leadership to the community.

Our Mayor also carries civic and ceremonial functions and presides over the meetings of Council. All Council decisions are made at Council meetings or through them, usually held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 5.30pm. A schedule of meetings, including agendas and minutes, is available at maitland.nsw.gov.au/meetingagendasandminutes

First elected to Council in 2008, Mayor Philip Penfold was born and raised in Maitland.

He studied at Maitland Boys High School and Rutherford Technology High School, played soccer with Rutherford Football and the Maitland Magpies, and discovered a passion for martial arts.

During a stint living in the United States, where he saw first hand the positive impact of community working together, Philip was inspired to run for Council, citing a desire to have a seat at the table and make a difference.

Philip is a Justice of the Peace and has a career background in banking and finance. He is an eager contributor to his community and an advocate for causes such as homelessness and support for people in crisis.

His priorities include sound fiscal management, increased focus on sporting and recreation infrastructure, and improvements to roads that reduce traffic congestion.

North Ward