Acting mayor Stephen Lawrence is calling for an extraordinary council meeting on Saturday with a list of strict restrictions on Cr Shields' return to work, following allegations of harassment and bullying within council.

Cr Lawrence said he wanted to instill a new policy that was "designed to meet council's duty of care responsibilities to staff, the community and Cr Shields himself".

The Daily Liberal understands the meeting will also look at the advice council has received about hiring an independent investigator.

But holding the meeting on a weekend was "a complete waste of money" that would cost councillors "thousands of dollars", said councillor Greg Mohr.

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"We've already been told this is going to be an exorbitant amount of money for the ratepayer to have it on the weekend. We have to drag staff in for their duties and pay them overtime just to have this meeting," Cr Mohr said.

"It could potentially cost $10,000 for this meeting, maybe more."

But Cr Lawrence said the figure was exaggerated. He said acting chief executive officer Dean Frost had told him the cost would be much less.

"Even if all directors and media staff attended, which would be unnecessary on the CEO's advice, it would be $1783 This has been confirmed by staff advice," he said.

Cr Lawrence has called on Cr Mohr to correct the record and apologise.

At a time when council was having to consider cutting projects to make ends meet in the budget, Cr Mohr said it was ridiculous to have an extraordinary meeting outside of business hours.

"Why have it on a Saturday? It can't be that urgent," he said.

Cr Mohr is unable to attend due to prior commitments, and said other councillors would also have engagements whether they're taking their kids to sport or at work.

In his time on council, the councillor said he had never had an extraordinary meeting called on a weekend.

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