GATES BACK IN GOOD HUMOUR

AFTER speculation about remaining deputy mayor, Donna Gates has returned to a full council meeting in good humour. Colleagues suggest she and Mayor Tom Tate had “a talk”.

The councillor most likely to replace her, Robina’s “Robocop” Hermann Vorster, was not in the chamber – a rare absence for the city’s most enthusiastic debater.

Council sources suggest Cr Vorster is busy ensuring his security arrangements after a campaign on hoons led to nasty threats from a Mexican Hoon Cartel.