City of Newcastle Government Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal found that Newcastle City Council was not "fit for the future", it was recommended that the City of Newcastle merge with Lake Macquarie City Council. However, the Minister for Local Government subsequently proposed that Newcastle City Council instead merge with Port Stephens Council to form a new council with an area of and support a population of approximately 230,000. The outcome of an independent review was completed by mid–2016. On 14 February 2017, the NSW Government announced it would not be proceeding with further regional council mergers, including the Newcastle City Council and Port
Newcastle City Council 2018. The council was under the control of the Labour Party from its reconstitution in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, until 2004. The Liberal Democrats controlled the Council from 2004 until 2011, when the Labour Party regained control. There are currently 56 Labour councillors, 19 Liberal Democrat councillors and 3 Independent councillors. For a list of past Mayors and Lord Mayors see List of Lord Mayors of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Newcastle has 26 electoral wards. Following an electoral review in 2016, the current boundaries were established in May 2018. Newcastle City Council Newcastle City Council is the local government authority