The move comes after pressure increased on council after the last ordinary council meeting to release the results of a staff satisfaction survey.

A ratepayer allegedly outlined claims of poor workplace culture at the meeting and asked for action to be taken.

Voting for the termination of the contract were Crs Ticehurst, Statham, Coleman, Cox, Smith and Ring.

Crs Lesslie, McAndrew and Thompson voted against terminating the GM’s contract. The decision meant that Mr Bailey stood down from the position effective immediately.

Despite the difficulty and sensitivity of the decision, Cr Steve Ring believes that the conduct at the meeting itself augers well for the future of the council.

“It was a good example of the council working together,” he said.

“Everybody spoke, there was a lot of open and frank discussion which was carried out in a civil manner”.

While also hopeful that the constructive decision making progress is a good sign of things to come for the still relatively new council mayor Stephen Lesslie, who voted against terminating the GM’s contract, didn’t feel it was a necessary measure.

“I personally feel that it was an excessive overreaction… that could potentially cost council a large amount of money,” he said.

Despite this, when checking in with council staff on Thursday morning after news of the decision Cr Lesslie was pleased at the response to his request for staff to renew and continue their loyalty to council.

“We need to consolidate and move forward,” he said.

Council's Group Manager Planning and Environment Andrew Muir has been appointed as Acting General Manager until further notice.

Mr Bailey was contacted for comment, however has previously stated he won’t comment further on the matter.