MAVERICK councillor Brendan Murphy launched a blistering attack on the council's ruling elite during the annual mayor making ceremony.
The independent councillor slammed the leadership of the borough as one which is surrounded by secrecy and "conducts its business behind closed doors".
Picking local government review, he said councillors had received little direction from the top as it has changed its policy repeatedly.
"When this was first proposed, we didn't know what to do. Then we did come to a decision, then we flopped to another decision, then we flipped to another decision.
"A policy of flip flop, which I do not think is good for the people of this community."
Apologising to families and visitors at the ceremonial event, he nominated himself as leader of the council, seconded by his fellow Tytherington independent.
Although he scored no other votes, he succeeded in disrupting the proceedings, which were filmed for the first time.
In a lengthy speech, he accused the leadership of approving contracts without reading them and stalling over the town centre redevelopment in Macclesfield.
He said he spoke out in a protest over changes to the constitution, which allow the election of the leader of the council on the same day as mayor making.
He felt the rules should not have been changed to allow the political election of a leader for the council on a ceremonial day.
But the independent councillor was not thanked for his protest, as leader Wesley Fitzgerald slammed him for "politicking".
He said: "I think it's a matter of great regret that on this day we should have that display of politicking which is quite unacceptable."
Coun Fitzgerald's comments were greeted with a round of "here here" from other councillors.
The Wilmslow councillor was duly elected for another year at the helm of Macclesfield Borough Council.
He said he did not want to spoil the occasion with talk of policy but conceded the council had lots to do in order to safeguard its own future.
"Hanging over us is the sword of Damocles' called local government review which is seeking to obliterate us as a council."
