Robert Doyle, Melbourne's lord mayor since 2008, resigned on Sunday, seven weeks after allegations of sexual harassment first emerged against him.

Mr Doyle's lawyer Nick Ruskin said the former lord mayor had been denied the principles of fair judgement and was ill and receiving hospital treatment.

His resignation will send the city's citizens back to the polls, to elect a new mayor.

So what happens next?

The next step is the formal notifications.

Melbourne City Council CEO Ben Rimmer has to write to the Victorian Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz to inform her what's happened.

Then he also needs to inform the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).

That notification process is underway, however the letters have not yet arrived at the VEC.

Once that happens and approval is granted by the Planning Minister for a by-election, it can get underway.

The vote will just be for the position of mayor. All other councillors remain in their roles and it won't happen before May.

What happens with the Council in the meantime?

Councillor Arron Wood has been the Acting Mayor since Mr Doyle stepped aside and will remain in the role for the time being.

He said his focus is on keeping the Council running — business as usual.

"The business of council has continued in spite of what has been a really tough time," he said.

"I'm confident we can come together as a council and move forward."

However he acknowledged it's been a difficult seven weeks and everyone in the Council has been affected by what's gone on.

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood had not declared whether he will run for mayor. ( ABC News: Emily Sakzewski )

If Cr Wood, or any other sitting councillor, wants to put their hand up for the position of mayor, the VEC said they are free to do so while remaining in their elected positions.

"There is no provision in the City of Melbourne Act 2001 that would require the Deputy Lord Mayor or any councillor to surrender their current position should they choose to nominate as a candidate," the VEC said.

Cr Wood wouldn't be drawn on whether or not he'd run, but if he did make a successful bid for the position, then Melburnians would head back to the polls yet again.

"In the instance that the current deputy lord mayor runs for lord mayor and was successful, a by-election would need to be held to fill the vacancy of deputy lord mayor," according to the VEC.

What's happening with the investigation?

Mr Doyle faces two claims against him from fellow councillors and another from an employee of Melbourne Health, where he was chairman — he has also resigned from his position there.

Mr Doyle strenuously denies the allegations.

The council-related complaints have been investigated by Dr Ian Freckelton QC and his report has gone back to the Council and interested parties.

Victoria's Health Minister Jill Hennessy has asked her department for an investigation into the third accusation, led by a Queens Counsel to ensure the process is independent.

Although the interim report from Dr Freckleton has been circulated to interested parties, his investigation is not complete, Cr Wood said.

"In terms of the outcomes of the report I believe it's in everyone's interest that it be made public," he said.

He would not comment on how the process has worked or be drawn on complaints it has taken too long, saying the integrity of the process was extremely important.

Today, the Council meets for the first time this year and will consider a management report which recommended a review of councillor codes of conduct.

"We need to turn what has been a really tough experience into something that we learn from, improve our processes feeding into the local government sector as a whole and improve the processes of the sector," Cr Wood said.