Mayor Hani Abu Ras attended the meeting, which lasted for 45 minutes. The council, formed in September, was prevented from meeting until Wednesday because the election of one of the members was contested by the complaints committee which had asked for a new round of voting.

The contested winner, Abdullah Al-Muhammadi, who is now deputy chairman of the council, took his case to the court of appeal which declared him the winner. The council held its meeting only after the court ruled on this issue. The ruling was supported by Minister of Rural and Municipal Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb.

The new chairman said the council members would make field visits to various districts, especially the eastern residential areas, to assess their needs. He said the council would take the needs and requirements of the residents to the appropriate government officials.