Ms Spalding has departed the role just 12 months into her five-year contract as Hay Shire's chief administrative staff member.

Cr Jenny Dwyer said a majority of councillors had supported the no-confidence motion that was carried during a confidential council meeting.

On Tuesday afternoon, Ms Spalding said she had yet to be informed as to why the majority of councillors had lost confidence in her tenure.

“At a confidential council meeting today, councillors discussed my contract and my understanding is that the majority voted and the majority of councillors said they had lost confidence in me and they terminated my contract,” Ms Spalding said.

“I’ll probably have more to say after I have spoken to my lawyer.

“I don’t know why (the motion was moved). They haven’t explained.” 

Ms Spalding’s sacking is the second dramatic development to hit Hay Shire’s administration and councillors in as many months. 

The Office of Local Government is investigating claims that Hay Shire’s previous general manager, Allan Dwyer, used council credit cards for cash advances.

Just last month, Hay Shire Mayor Bill Sheaffe had praised Ms Spalding’s skill and experience.

“Amanda is a Chartered Accountant with some 30 years’ experience in executive management in local government in NSW and England, and in the NSW Government,” Cr Sheaffe said in a statement late last month.

Cr Sheaffe’s remarks were part of the council’s effort to fend off a second Office of Local Government investigation into Mr Dwyer’s financial management and council’s oversight. 

Cr Jenny Dwyer said the Ms Spalding’s departure did not indicate an inability or councillors and administrative staff to work together.

“(Mr Dwyer and Ms Spalding) both left for very different reasons. (Mr Dwyer) left of his own free will and was entitled to do so under his contract, and we have had the general manager (Ms Spalding) leave today due to a no-confidence vote,” Cr Dwyer said.

“I can’t see that it would undermine council at all.

“We only ever act in the best interests of the community, that’s what we’re there for.”

Cr Dwyer said the confidential meeting also discussed appointing an interim general manager and searching for a permanent replacement.

The sacking could cause yet another crisis for Hay Shire, with at least one councillor who opposed the no-confidence motion considering handing in their resignation and urging other councillors to do the same.

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