However a request from KidzWish founder Chris Beavan for the council to offer a peppercorn rent sparked an angry clash between Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba and her predecessor Kellie Marsh at Tuesday’s council meeting, with Cr Marsh at one stage telling the mayor ‘‘to watch your mouth’’.

In September last year, the council and KidzWish announced their intention to form a partnership for a new $3million centre on council land located in Adam Murray Way, Flinders to replace the current KidzWish facility at Shell Cove.

Council staff had recommended the council enter into a 40-year lease agreement, by way of eight consecutive and independent five-year leases.

The ground rental has been valued at $23,400 plus GST per annum, but the council will offer a 68.75 per cent subsidy in line with its community halls and centres management policy, bringing the rental down to $7312.50 plus GST, with annual rises tied to the CPI.

Construction costs would be covered by KidzWish, with the building to revert to council ownership in 40 years’ time.

The annual subsidy of $16,087.50 would be noted as an ‘‘in-kind donation’’ in the council’s record of community donations.

On Tuesday night, councillors were given a video presentation about the proposed facility from ‘‘the yellow Wiggle’’ Greg Page after which Mrs Beavan requested the council waive the annual rent so the money could be diverted to KidzWish programs.

Mrs Beavan’s request was then put forward as a motion by Cr Marsh who requested a 100 per cent subsidy, but this failed for the lack of a seconder.

Cr Marsh said the extra money would be supporting children in the area.

Cr Saliba asked general manager Michael Willis for some ‘‘expert advice’’ and asked if the council would be ‘‘acting inappropriately’’ if it gave a 100 per cent subsidy.

Mr Willis said the staff’s recommendation was done in strict accordance to policy and in his view the policy was fair not just to KidzWish but other organisations which had entered into agreements with the council based on the policy.

The general manager cautioned against making ‘‘policy on the run’’.

Cr Marsh said ‘‘unlike some people I was elected by the community for the community’’.

‘‘We are totally within our rights as councillors to put these things up,’’ Cr Marsh said, telling the Mayor she was totally out of line for involving the general manager ‘‘and that is consistent’’.

Cr Saliba said Cr Marsh needed to be careful with the accusations that she made.

"If you have an accusation of impropriety you need to go through appropriate channels ... if you don’t know what you are saying you have a problem and you might need to get some help,’’ Cr Saliba said.

Cr Marsh replied ‘‘I’m saying you need to watch your mouth Madam Mayor’’.

Cr Saliba said she was supportive of what KidzWish did.

‘‘But if we do this for KidzWish we will have every other worthy not-for-profit organisation knocking on our door wanting a parcel of land for nothing to build on,’’ Cr Saliba said.

‘‘That is why we have a policy so we don’t make decisions based on whether councillors like a group or not.’’