Outspoken councillor Mike McVicker says he was gagged by his colleagues after being made to make a statement declaring he has an "open mind" during Annual Plan talks.
Councillors began three days of Rotorua District Council Annual Plan deliberations for the 2013/14 financial year yesterday.
However, Mr McVicker's place around the debating table was called into question when he made his own written and oral submission to the Annual Plan two weeks ago saying increasing debt levels and too many staff were damaging the organisation's credibility.
He said the best way to cut costs, and in turn debt, was to slash staff numbers - estimating 50 jobs should go.
Due to Mr McVicker's wide-ranging submission the council sought legal advice to ensure there would be no perceived conflict of interest, bias, or risk of predetermination during deliberations.