Newcastle Independent councillor Allan Robinson is raising concerns in the wake of an impending council restructure.
Under the Local Government Act, Local council CEO's are required to review the structure of council after an election, with the last restructure following the 2012 election.
Cr Robinson fears the restructure will be Labor-led considering the close-working relationship of Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Council CEO Jeremy Bath.
"They are just changing things to get rid of one of the senior staff members, the smartest bloke in there. He does not do what she [Nuatali Nelmes] says. He disagrees with her, and he is the last one standing and he is going to get the sack," Cr Robinson said.
Although the claims are yet to be substantiated, Cr Robinson says staff have expressed concerns following news of the restructure.
Councillors will see the details of the restructure in a confidential meeting on Tuesday night.
The restructure comes in the midst of an already tumultuous week for a council divided over a probe into councillors' electronic communications following the leak of budget documents.
Mr Bath committed to investigating who gave the documents to the Newcastle Herald unless the councillor responsible came forward.
However, Cr Robinson said, “I rang the CEO and told him it was me who leaked it."
But 2NURFM News understands Cr Robinson made the comment flippantly.
"He [Jeremy Bath] said 'I know it wasn't you, I've looked; you haven't even read it yet,' I said okay," Cr Robinson explained.
Although the document was not stamped confidential, it is understood councillors were verbally warned of the sensitive nature of the figures.
"It wasn't even confidential...it was left in the chamber," Cr Robinson said.
"It could be staff, it could be security, it could be 20 of the reptiles with no life who sit in and listen. Who knows?"
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| Cr Allan Robinson. Photo: Newcastle Herald. |
