Criticism of change to Newcastle lord mayor's power to make decisions during recess periods

A motion at Tuesday's Newcastle council meeting changed the threshold of objections needed to prevent the lord mayor being able to make council decisions that can't be delayed until the next meeting from three councillors to a majority.

Liberal councillor Callum Pull tried unsuccessfully to have this kept at three, saying he was concerned the change "will only serve to consolidate the Labor party's power on the council".

He said he thought three was adequate, particularly if the matter was a ward-related issue.

Independent Councillor John Church said it was important to allow councillors not in the majority to raise objections, and anything "otherwise would be completely undemocratic".

Greens councillor John Mackenzie also wanted to leave the acceptable objection level at three councillors.

Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she had never exercised powers in a recess period, and believed the change was to deal with emergencies and would "make sure that it couldn't be derailed by small group of councillors".

"I hope that I never have to exercise and never really want to exercise any powers during any recess," she said.

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