The recommendation by council’s general manager Craig Deasey follows the events of the July meeting when a motion of no confidence in councillor Glenn Wall was put forward and requested he step down as mayor.

The motion stated that council register its lack of confidence in Cr Wall’s ability to adequately, appropriately and effectively represent council resolutions in relation to Tillegra Dam in the media and in deputations to local members of parliament, government ministers and members of the Opposition.

Mr Deasey said council’s reputation has been compromised as a consequence of the media and the political bullying of the NSW Greens.

“It was a very emotive report as I was away at the last council meeting and returned after three weeks leave to learn morale (at council) was not high,” he said.

“In fact it was as flat as a tack.

“Senior staff were conducting recruitment interviews and people were asking what was going on as they had been reading the media reports.

“I’ve got an organisation that you’ve got to keep running.

“My workforce is my number one priority and I need to keep their confidence up.

“I see this (mediation) as one of the major stepping stones.”

Cr Tony McKenzie said he was not in “great favour” of mediation.

“But I take the GM’s point and believes we should work together,” he said.

“I can see that staff is affected and we need to fix that.”

Cr Lea Mitchell said the community needs to be reassured council is working for them and not at each other’s throats.

“As a councillor I support this recommendation to sort things out and more forward as quickly as possible.”

Cr Joe Thompson suggested councillors spend some time at the next workshop to put parameters in place, discuss a mediator and start to work through things.