MAYOR Barry Longland has broken his silence, branding the council's sacked general manager a "lone ranger".

Cr Longland's comments were made as Division of Local Government investigators released their report into the sacking of David Keenan last month.

"The division found no evidence to suggest that the decision was made on improper or illegitimate grounds and was satisfied that the decision was one that was open to the council to make in the circumstances," Cr Longland said.

Cr Longland said Mr Keenan had been "acting outside the knowledge or authority of the elected body", was "a lone ranger working outside the system" and had "acted in a way that suggested that the mayor and councillors were a mere distraction to his agenda".

Mr Keenan's contract was terminated on March 21, when councillors Longland, Gary Bagnall, Michael Armstrong and Katie Milne voted against Carolyn Byrne, Phil Youngblutt and Warren Polglase.

Cr Longland said he had no intention of "publicly airing the failings" of the former general manager.

"I am making a conscious decision to play the ball, not the man, unlike my detractors," he said.

"In the interests of transparency and openness, I will table the advice and findings of the division in my Mayoral Minute at next Thursday's council meeting.

"The termination did not come about because of issues with Leda Developments or for any political reason."

The Daily News contacted Mr Keenan yesterday but he declined to comment.

Acting chief executive of the Division of Local Government Steve Orr revealed the department's findings last night.

"A good working relationship between a council and its general manager is fundamental to the effective performance of the organisation," he said.

"Where that relationship breaks down or a council loses confidence in its general manager, this can lead to serious dysfunction and will invariably impact on the capacity of the council to meet the needs of the community. In such circumstances it is reasonably open to a council to terminate the general manager's employment."

He said the division identified no evidence to suggest the decision was made on improper or illegitimate grounds.

"The division is aware that some sections of the community have called for the reinstatement of the former GM," he said.

"It seems unlikely that this would be an option available to the council under the Act."

Cr Longland said the councillors had worked hard to devise and implement a strategy to support the business community in the Tweed.

"It was a matter of some regret that leaders of the business community have endeavoured to challenge that focus through unhelpful personal and disparaging remarks about your elected representatives."

He reiterated there was no single issue that led to the termination of David Keenan's contract but a series of incidents over many months.

"This elected body decided to terminate his contract, as we were legally able to do under a clause that both parties agreed to," he said.

"I acknowledge the former general manager has impressive economic development credentials, but leading the largest employer in the Tweed is about far more than that.

"A general manager of one of the largest regional councils in NSW has the responsibility of leading and delivering a broad range of services and programs."

He said it was about working collaboratively to achieve a vision set out by the community.

"There has certainly been a personal price to pay for this council decision, but one that I am willing to wear.

"Sometimes good leadership is about taking hard decisions."