The leader of Newcastle City Council is facing a vote of no confidence after just two months running the authority.
Labour councillor Karen Kilgour became Newcastle’s first female leader in October after Nick Kemp resigned following accusations of bullying, which he denies.
The no confidence motion, tabled by Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Morrissey, notes that the local authority is now in no overall control.
Last month, six Labour members – including Cllr Kemp – quit the party to serve as independents.
It means Labour now holds 39 of the council’s 78 seats.
The motion says: ‘Council believes that the leader cannot continue in post without a clear mandate from council, as now constituted, which can only be tested through a vote under Article Seven of the constitution.
‘Council accordingly resolves, under article seven of the constitution, to remove the leader.’
If the motion is passed, a new leader would be appointed at the next council meeting in January.