The Local Government Managers Association NSW branch has refused to answer questions about Scott Greensill's presentation on the impact of such cases on general managers, reviewers, council staff and councillors. It declined to comment about why the impact on the community of problem code of conduct cases was not mentioned in the pamphlet sent to general managers. The Singleton case could cost ratepayers $700,000, and possibly more.

Mr Greensill resigned from Singleton Council in August last year, two weeks before deputy mayor Paul Nichols's challenge against an adverse code of conduct review was heard in the NSW Supreme Court.

Cr Nichols won the court case against the council after Justice Monika Schmidt found the review process went "seriously awry".

The court heard evidence Mr Greensill did not reveal to councillors his actual involvement in the handling of the code of conduct review before Cr Nichols's court challenge.

Mr Greensill "took steps under the code which he ought not to have", Justice Schmidt found.

"It was accepted that the circumstances raised for consideration the question of apprehended bias, in circumstances where it might be thought that Mr Greensill had taken steps to influence the decision makers in the process undertaken," she said.

Mr Greensill will speak at the Governance in Local Government conference at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on March 8. A pamphlet sent to NSW council general managers noted that only a handful of code of conduct cases ended in court.

"Code of conduct matters are difficult to manage and resolve in the ordinary course of a general manager's role, however when the matter 'goes legal', the impact upon the parties involved, including the general manager, conduct reviewer, council staff as well as the elected council, is significant, both professionally and personally," the pamphlet said.

Mr Greensill did not respond to questions.