Her concern was raised at the beginning of this week’s meeting when leave of absence was granted to Cr Graham Docksey, who confirmed he had just returned from a holiday.

“I don’t believe repeated absences due to personal holidays are an adequate justification for us to continue to grant leave of absence,” Cr Cohn said.

But Cr Alice Glachan and Cr Darren Cameron spoke strongly against the deputy mayor’s view.

Cr Glachan explained Cr Docksey had booked his holiday before the council moved to holding two meetings per month earlier this year.

“It is not the done thing to raise why councillors aren’t here,” she said.

“It is quite demeaning.”

Cr Docksey defended his travel-related absence this week.

“When you make make arrangements to travel overseas you can’t change them at the last minute,” he said.

“It’s disappointing the comments by Cr Cohn were not directed to me face-to-face, but made in my absence.”

Cr Cameron also raised concerns about Cr Cohn’s questioning on the subject 

“I would counsel the deputy mayor not to engage in these tactics,” he said.

“If you are on council long enough it is going to happen to each and everyone of us sooner or later.

“I’ve got no doubt if Cr Cohn has not missed a council meeting it will happen.

“These tactics quite frankly are tawdry and unnecessary.”

Cr Murray King was also absent from the meeting for work-related reasons.