The vote is in

King won by 126 votes.

The news ends the laborious process of distributing preferences and reveals the other members of the council team.

These are: Garry Carter, Jennie Fenton, Steve Jenkins, Toni Wright-Turner with Steve Klipin, Desmae Harrison and Les Wells competing for the last two spots (updated soon)

Now the Local Government 2016 elections are done and dusted, the focus will be on how cohesive the seven councillors will be.

While much of the campaign canvassed ways to improve council staff engagement and cooperativeness with the community, the makeup of the councillor team is sure to set their own communication challenges.

Already Steve Jenkins has taken a very vocal approach as to how he sees the next few years should unfold, but as to whether he has the majority support is these endeavours, is yet to be seen.

Certainly his combative style pre-election has left some councillors wondering if he’s a team man.

Meanwhile, with three Greens members out of the seven councillors sitting around the table – this voting block will be instrumental in implementing or vetoing council projects.

Having their support will be vital for individuals such as Garry Carter … and how this plays out with Greens’ nemesis (if he gets in) Les Wells remains to be seen.

As much of the last few days discussions have been on who is in, who is out, it’s timely to remember the near 3.5 per cent of folk who voted informally.

Whether it be through incorrectly making the paper or a form of protest … we will never know. But it may well be those votes could have radically altered the results.

And … maybe next time these folks, and others, can vote for Pickle.

Pickle is Poppy’s pet cockatiel.

Poppy ran a small campaign to have Pickle elected – unfortunately though animals can not run for councillor.

Nevertheless, this bird-brain by saying nothing but chirping, could ultimately be more informative than some politicians.

You can read an interview with Poppy here.