Cessnock City Council battle escalates

The council was in damage control yesterday after the Newcastle Herald reported that independent councillor Ian Olsen said the council would be better off sacked and an administrator appointed.

In the Herald report Cr Olsen accused the United Services Union of making the bullets for councillors to fire, contributing to the wrangle between council management and staff.

United Services Union northern manager Stephen Hughes said he had calls from councillors yesterday who felt their reputations had been tarnished by the comments.

‘‘They feel that the public will believe they are operating under the instruction of the union and not on behalf of the ratepayers,’’ he said.

‘‘I have sent Cr Olsen an email pointing out my participation at the council meetings and that I am there as a Ward B ratepayer.

‘‘I have asked him to retract his comments and apologise and his comments have been referred to our solicitors,’’ Mr Hughes said.

Cr Olsen stood by his remarks.

‘‘There are two sides to every story and I believe the general manager has been painted in a bad light by a few councillors,’’ Cr Olsen said.

‘‘She has received two good previous reviews and to sack her without any just cause by council is wrong.’’ Ms Rosser attended a confidential three hour performance review yesterday before councillors Graham Smith, Bob Pynsent, Neil Gorman, James Ryan and mayor Alison Davey.

A representative from the Local Government and Shires Association was present at the review which will be the subject of a report to be brought back to council on April 18.

Deputy mayor Cordelia Burcham said yesterday she was disappointed a notice of motion to ‘‘distance’’ Ms Rosser from legal matters involving councillors and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, had not been included on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

She was told by council officers that the motion was being legalled, describing the move as an attempt to block her motion.