The new CEO is being sought to replace Paul Anderson who left last month to take up a similar position at Batemans Bay.

Over the last fortnight Council has been conducting preliminary interviews to whittle the applicants down to a short list of preferred candidates.

They will have their final interviews next week.

Mayor Neville Castle told this week’s meeting that he had been impressed by the standard of the candidates and could approach the final round of interviews with confidence.

He said a decision could be made as early as next Thursday night with the offer made to the successful candidate the following day.

Cr Martin Ticehurst attempted to have the appointment process delayed until after the Council elections in December.

He said the selection process could then be referred to the incoming Council.

Cr Ticehurst said that ‘a number of Councillors, possibly a majority’ of current Councillors might not be sitting on the new Council.

He failed to gain a seconder.

Cr Howard Fisher said Cr Ticehurst’s argument was ‘absolutely ridiculous’.

He said the Councillors were elected to make decisions throughout the term of the Council and would be derelict in their duty by leaving the position vacant.

“If Cr Ticehurst was right we might as well pack our bags and make no more decisions,” he said.

“I’m sick of this Council wasting money on the whims of Cr Ticehurst.”

Cr Ticehurst then unsuccessfully attempted to submit a recision motion but was ruled out of order.

Mayor Castle said that the motion had only Cr Ticehurst’s signature and the Councillor should have been well aware that three signatures were required on any recision motion.