Cr Henk van de Ven rescission motion on Albury airport security services unsuccessful

Voting followed identical lines to seven days earlier when the MSS Security tender which would have provided a saving of $373,000 over the five-year life of the contract was rejected 5-4.

But the extraordinary meeting called to debate the rescission motion instigated by Cr Henk van de Ven heard the successful provider lobbied councillors via email before the meeting held a week ago.

Also, Cr Graham Docksey accused mayor Kevin Mack of not supporting council staff in agreeing to go with the more expensive SNP bid.

"I've been on council for pretty close to 12½ years and never have I seen emails sent for the purpose they were sent last weekend," Cr van de Ven said.

"In my mind it automatically excluded that company from further consideration.

"I thought the same processes might have occurred with other councillors.

"To be quite honest I was gob-smacked when the motion was first moved by Cr (John) Stuchbery to the effect SNP be awarded this contract."

SNP sub-contracts to Albury-Wodonga-based company, Cross Border Security, which plans to keep all existing staff members when the present contract expires in mid-January.

Cr Docksey said the council erred in not going with the staff recommendation and had to act "ethically and without fear or favour" at all times.

"With airfares rising why would we add additional pressures?" he said.

"SNP is not a local company, MSS is not a local company, where do the profits go? They go outside Albury."

He also queried why Cr Mack no longer backed council staff.

"What has changed and why are you not supporting staff recommendations on this and previous occasions?" he asked.

Cr Mack declined to respond to the claims as did Cr Stuchbery, Cr Murray King, Cr Amanda Cohn and Cr Darren Cameron.

Cr Cameron said after the meeting the decision made last Monday was legal.

"Some of the comments made tonight by some councillors were startling and outrageous," he said.

"Our decision was proper, legal, ethical and in the best interests of Albury when all things are considered."