COUNCILLORS have hit back at Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge's claims a decision to strip him of powers afforded to his predecessor "smacks of a deliberate ambush".
New Instruments of Delegation (IOD), which set out the lord mayor's decision-making powers, usurp Cr Kerridge's control over the chief executive's pay, bonuses and incentives, staffing decisions in his own office and the ability to choose who votes at local government conferences.
