Cr Beales made the revelation during Ararat Rural City’s general meeting for December on Tuesday night.

Cr Beales used his time reserved to detailing his past month’s activities to also announce he had offered his resignation as a councillor to Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz.

While reading from a prepared statement, Cr Beales said the last year was “possibly the worst of my life.”

“All through my career I have still seen the light at the end to provide a fairer community that has trust in the council. Sometime shining brightly but usually just a flicker,” Cr Beales said.

“However during the last council meeting in dealing with the code of conduct matter in relation to the mayor the flicker was rubbed out.

“In light of this today I advised the minister of my concerns and requested administration for the council.’

“I offered my resignation if this assists in getting transparent, honest government for the people of Ararat Rural City.”

Ararat Rural City is already operating under a municipal monitor, who will stay in place for the next two years.

Cr Beales is the third Ararat Rural City councilllor to resign or publicly weigh up resigning in the past three months.

Paul Hooper resigned the morning after the statutory meeting in October that elected Cr Glenda McLean as mayor, and Cr Jo Armstrong stated she was considering her position at the time.

Fairfax Media was unable to contact Ms Kairouz’s spokesperson on Tuesday night.

Cr McLean has made an apology for the code of conduct issues that caused some councillors to protest her election as mayor.