tension.

An ordinary meeting last Tuesday was adjourned after Holcombe Ward councillor Bill McClenaghan handed each

councillor an envelope from his solicitor that contained a "solution" to the enduring divisions between councillors

and senior council officers.

At the same meeting it was revealed a second bullying allegation involving infrastructure director Rod Conway

and Coliban Ward Cr Heather Mutimer was quashed late last year before it was made public.

The Advocate believes Mr Conway reported Cr Mutimer for workplace harassment.

The contents of Cr McClenaghan's envelope were confidential.

"It offers a way forward that is not going to send this council over the cliff and into oblivion," Cr McClenaghan said.

The five councillors left Daylesford Senior Citizens Centre and met in Daylesford Town Hall's council chamber

for about 30 minutes.

"We will arrive at a solution tonight if common sense prevails," Cr McClenaghan said.

An independent consultant was last year employed to investigate allegations Cr McClenaghan bullied chief

executive officer Victor Szwed.

The council discussed recommendations in the agenda report involving reimbursement of chief executive Victor

Szwed's legal fees.

The secret discussions will be revisited and made public at a meeting on February 5 at 7pm.

A range of further council quandaries have transpired since a special meeting on December 10, where details of the

CEO's claims were made public.

* A question from last week's gallery revealed the total cost of the Cr McClenaghan investigation stands at

$100,000. Mr Szwed's legal fees were up to $12,000, Cr Hayes said.

* It was revealed Mr Szwed was involved in preparing the agenda report on the allegations against Cr

McClenaghan.

Mayor Tim Hayes denied Mr Szwed had overseen the internal investigation despite having a pecuniary interest.

"He has not been involved in briefing the solicitor," Cr Hayes said.

* Cr McClenaghan refused to undergo counselling offered to him, claiming attending the sessions would be an

admission of guilt.

"That's why I haven't gone to counselling. I don't want to confess to something I haven't done," he said.

*Alleged victim Mr Szwed accused Cr McClenaghan of using the media to fight the allegations.