Cr. Davey told The Advertiser she has a “lot of useful years” to offer and is confident she could comfortably handle the city’s number one citizen’s job for a further four-year term.

Cr. Davey stood as an independent at the last election and won a close contest against Labor’s Cr. Bob Pynsent.

She said while she contested the Seat of Cessnock at this year’s State elections for the Nationals, she would run for mayor as an independent, adding that the Nationals do not contest seats in local government elections as they believe local councils should be free from politics.

Cr. Davey said she believes the current council is doing a good job with no faction in control and debate is freely flowing.

She hopes initiatives being put in place will be complete by the time the next election comes around and residents will recognise they have a council that’s getting on with the job of progressing the city.

Cr. Davey, while confident she will gain the support needed, said she would be “flying against history” being successful for a second term. Control of council has fluctuated since she was first elected in 1983 and this means the chances of being re-elected would go against the odds.

Cr. Davey said she has heard rumours of who may or may not be standing but is not unduly concerned. Her main focus remains to make the changes necessary to ensure a council that is functioning at a high level.