During the closed session of last night’s council meeting, mayor Laurie Bishop and deputy mayor Jenny Bailey put forward a resolution to negotiate Mr Burns’ contract as general manager be terminated early.

The motion was narrowly carried before a recession motion was put forward to suspend the original decision.

Council will revisit the matter at an extra ordinary council meeting expected to be held next week.

Mr Burns said he believed the vote had to do with incidents of bullying and aggressive behaviour towards council staff by Cr Bishop.

“I suspect the move to terminate my contract and have me sign a ‘deed of settlement’ is more to do suppressing the issues and preventing me raising these matters, which is my obligation as a general manager,” Mr Burns said.

Full story in tomorrow's Express.