City of Newcastle’s (CN) plan to privatise the management of its five inland public pools has dived into murky waters.

During the week, several Labor councillors abstained from voting on a decision to award an external contract to lease and operate the facilities, stating communication with an unnamed MP – who’s since been identified as Wallsend’s Sonia Hornery – had created a conflict of interest.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes also made sensational claims that she and colleagues were subjected to “bullying tactics” and “verbal abuse”.

With the local government representatives withdrawing from the process on Tuesday night, it meant a quorum could not be formed, leaving CEO Jeremy Bath with the responsibility of making the decision.

That move, itself, was slammed by Liberal councillors Jenny Barrie and Callum Pull, who called it a “sad day for democracy”.

Ms Hornery blasted Cr Nelmes’ accusations, too.

CN currently leases the Lambton, Wallsend, Stockton and Mayfield pools to BlueFit Aquatics, while operating the Beresfield Swimming Centre kiosk and turnstile under a contract arrangement.

There are major concerns the action to transfer the running of the centres to the private sector would be detrimental to residents and user groups.

“I viewed Tuesday night’s CN ordinary council meeting with great disappointment,” Ms Hornery said.

“The Lord Mayor and elected councillors are trying to imply that any advocacy they receive is an instruction on how to vote.

“This is false and misleading.

“The Lord Mayor and councillors frequently lobby me to advocate for projects and funding and yet I do not hide from my democratic responsibilities or shirk my duties as an elected official.

“It is imperative as leaders and representatives in our community that we embrace our democratic system and fight for better outcomes; indeed, where appropriate, we should listen to the advocacy of others.

“I’ve always stood up for Newcastle Pools and always will.

“Just as I’ve always stood up for our community and always will.

“The privatisation of our pools is an issue that many people raise with me.”

And, Ms Hornery admitted she shared their concerns.

“Privatisation never leads to better outcomes for the community,” she said.

“I have always stood against it across all levels of government.

“I’ve done so at great personal sacrifice to my career, having resigned as Parliamentary Secretary in 2009 in protest against an ongoing privatisation agenda.

“I am proud to be a member of a government that stands against privatisation and indeed has committed to ending privatisation of NSW Government assets.

“I implore all other levels of government to make the same commitment.

“I was recently re-elected as the Member for Wallsend.

“I believe that so many people in our community put their faith in me precisely because I listen to feedback and try to advocate for better outcomes for our community.

“I will not be pressured to advocate any less for my community by anyone from any level of politics.”

The MP also spoke in Parliament imploring the council to save Lambton, Wallsend, Beresfield, Mayfield and Stockton pools from privatisation.

Meanwhile, Cr Pull reiterated his sentiment it was a “sad day for democracy”.

“A decision this important, and with this much public interest, should be decided by the elected council,” he said.

“I voted against delegating this decision for precisely that reason – councillors must do it.”

Cr Barrie added the action demonstrated the dangers of handing one party a majority on the council.

“We’ve seen here all seven Labor councillors needing to declare a conflict on the item,” she explained.

“That’s meant council couldn’t make a democratic decision on a very important issue.”

But, both Cr Pull and Cr Barrie made it clear they were not reflecting on the Labor councillors’ decision to declare a conflict.

“We are simply commenting on the detrimental effect this has had on council’s ability to be the decision-maker on this issue.,” the former said.

“Declaring a conflict and managing it is an essential part of the transparency of council.

“Neither Cr Barrie nor myself endorse any comments criticising any councillor for choosing to declare a conflict.”

He did, however, point to the Councillors’ Code of Conduct which states: “The personal or political views of a council official do not constitute a private interest…”

“Political views are expressly excluded from the criteria of a non-pecuniary interest,” Cr Pull said.

“I have never seen anything that could be described as bullying behaviour by Sonia Hornery.

“As a person from the opposite side of politics and her rival in the recent state election, I have always found her to be forthright in advocating for our community, but always polite and a pleasure to deal with.”

For more news stories:

• Police seek public assistance following theft of copper throughout region
• Hint hint… Matildas in Newy?
• CCTV released as investigations continue into Muswellbrook home invasion

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.