While Cr Dingle will not confirm he is a candidate observers say that as of today the Deputy Mayor, Cr Westbury has six votes, Cr Dingle has four and east ward's John Nell has two.

If Cr Nell stands it would probably mean Crs Westbury and Dingle would face off in a final vote by councilllors with the result to find a replacement for Cr Bruce MacKenzie decided on a draw from the hat.

Cr Dingle this week told the Examiner his voting bloc's candidate would not be revealed until nominations were called for at next Tuesday's special election meeting.

Crs John Nell and Glenys Francis, who were rumoured as alternative candidates from Cr Dingle's division, this week indicated they would not stand.

Cr Nell said he was prepared to return to the top job, which he held from 2002 to 2004, but did not believe he had the support of fellow councillors.

"I'm available but I won't get the numbers so I won't be standing," Cr Nell said.

Cr Francis said council in-fighting had stifled her interest in being Mayor.

"There's too much division in that council at the moment, it's just gone too far," Cr Francis said.

"And it's not as if we've got a nice bunch of people in there.

"Our six haven't really sat down and discussed it...but [the Mayor] has supported Bob Westbury and none (of that bloc) would dare challenge that."

Cr Francis said she was interested in being deputymayor. The other two councillors in that faction, Frank Ward and Caroline De Lyall confirmed they would not be running.

Despite being part of the opposing faction Cr Dingle said he was optimistic about the working relationship he could keep with Cr Westbury if he became the mayor.

"I am happy to support Bob, he has been reasonable in the past and I think we can work with him," Cr Dingle said.

This week the Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association called for the election of a mayor who could unite the councillors.