Mr Cadogan said the formal requisition for a meeting from CCB members Shirley Calvert, Robin Dicey, Annabel Blaikie and Werner Murray to remove Mr Gillespie as board chairman was ''completely unjustified'', ''irresponsible'', ''disappointing'' and ''unfair''.
He said Ms Calvert, ''who has made it plain to me that she believes she's ready to take up the role of [CCB] chairperson'' had refused to meet with Mr Gillespie to discuss any concerns, and refused to accept Mr Cadogan's offer to provide a trained external facilitator to resolve any issues.
The CCB meeting to discuss removing Mr Gillespie as board chairman will be held on September 19 and if he is removed a new chairman will be elected if that is what a majority of board members resolve.
When contacted by the Otago Daily Times, Mr Gillespie, who is also Central Otago deputy mayor, said he respected local government process and the group's right to request a meeting, but was disappointed members would not meet him to raise any concerns.
Board members Nigel McKinlay and Anna Harrison praised Mr Gillespie's leadership of the CCB and were surprised by the actions of their fellow board members.
Mr Gillespie was ''a very able and experienced chair who bends over backwards to be fair ... I wait with interest to see what compelling reasons are given to seek Neil's removal, given that it is only 13 months before the next local body elections'', Mr McKinlay said.
This is Mr Gillespie's seventh term as CCB member and sixth as CCB chairman and Cromwell ward councillor.
His was the only nomination for CCB chairman for all six terms.
Mr Dicey and Ms Blaikie declined to comment about the group's actions, Mr Murray did not respond to questions from the Otago Daily Times, and Ms Calvert emailed a response that said ''There is an opportunity for succession planning before Neil is no longer there.
"In Neil we have an experienced chair who can be a helpful mentor to the board. So asking for this resolution is a procedural matter. Standing orders for the Cromwell Community Board require us to follow this process''.
She would not provide further comment about why the group was trying to end Mr Gillespie's chairmanship mid-term.
