NEWCASTLE lord mayor Ross Kerridge says a decision to strip him of powers afforded to predecessor Labor Cr Nuatali Nelmes "smacks of a deliberate ambush" designed to undermine his ability to do the job barely a week into the term.
Under a new document which sets out his decision-making powers, Cr Kerridge will not have control over the chief executive's pay, bonuses and incentives, the number of staff who work in the lord mayor's office and its structure or deciding who gets a vote at local government conferences.
