COUNCILLORS will vote on Monday night whether to give the public the right to vote for its mayor.

The reduction in councillor numbers from 12 to nine is also on the agenda as well as the option to abolish the current ward system.

The option was first suggested last year but Cr Alison Howlett requested council’s general manager Scott Greensill, prepare a report to investigate the full ramifications should council move this way.

That report goes to council on Monday night.

Currently, the 12 elected councillors are the ones to choose the mayor, a vote that is conducted on an annual basis in September.

In his report, Mr Greensill has recommended that council adopt the option of having a popularly elected mayor.

He also recommends the reduction in councillor numbers and that the ward structure be abolished with the view to progress to the next council election on an “undivided basis”.

This means every resident will be eligible to vote for any council candidate, regardless of where they live.

As it is now, voters can only select from council candidates running in their local government ward of either A, B or C.

Mr Greensill says if council supports the report on Monday night the ultimate decisionwill be up to the public with a ballot to be conducted.

“What we will be saying is this is what we are wanting to do - what do you want?” Mr Greensill said.

“If it is significantly obvious that it (a referendum) is not accepted by electors we would evaluate the concept of its worth,” Mr Greensill added.

Mr Greensill said the benefit would be that the mayor could do their job without “fear or favour”.

The biggest change would see the mayor stay in power for four years rather than the current 12 months and facing that voting process every year.

If all channels are passed Singleton could choose its mayor at the September 2012 election.

Other Hunter councils that have a popularly elected mayor include Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Newcastle.

If given the choice The Singleton Argus wants to know who you would vote for? Cast your vote today by calling The Singleton Argus on 6572 2611 between 9am and 4pm, email news.singletonargus@ruralpress.co m or blog via the website www.singletonargus@ruralpress.com . Voting stops 11am on Monday. See Tuesday’s Argus for results.