Armidale Regional Council suspension: councillors say they won't try to fight three-month suspension

The council has until Monday to show why it should not be suspended by the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock.

But instead, their show cause letter will welcome the appointment of an administrator, if signed off by councillors on Monday.

It also admits the behaviour of councillors has been unacceptable and poses a legal and safety risk to the council, and claims that the community has lost respect for its elected representatives.

READ MORE:

The letter was written by councillors in a workshop on Wednesday.

It was initially set to be approved by the entire council in an extraordinary meeting on Friday before five councillors indicated they would not attend either the Monday or Friday meetings for legal reasons.

The five have been named as respondents in a legal action after a number of councillors moved to have the Chief Executive Officer sacked.

Last month local MP Adam Marshall condemned councillors, who he said had been factionalised into two 'camps' and would not work together.

He called on Minister Hancock to have them sacked instead.

The minister issued a Notice of Intention to Issue a Suspension Order on the council a fortnight ago. Armidale Regional Council has until Monday to convince her not to appoint an administrator.

Their letter will go before councillors on Monday at midday, in the first of two extraordinary general meetings.

At 3pm, councillors will consider the council's Integrated Planning and Reporting for 2020-2021.

Want more local news? Subscribe to the Leader to read it here first