In short:

The Sutherland Shire Council mayor has resigned from the Liberal Party after missing out on a running ticket spot.

Carmelo Pesce, who is serving his third term, said he did not know why he was snubbed.

What's next?

Mr Pesce will run as an independent in a local government election next month.

The mayor of a council in Sydney's south has lost the Liberal Party's support ahead of the looming local government election.

Carmelo Pesce is serving his third term as mayor of Sutherland Shire Council, but last night he failed to secure a spot on his party's ticket for the upcoming local government election in September.

The Liberal Party's state executive held a vote on possible candidates that did not include Mr Pesce, he said, with:

· Twelve people voting in favour of it

· Nine voting against

· Five absentees

· One non-response

"I've just resigned [from the Liberal Party] and I'm going to run as an independent," Mr Pesce told the ABC on Thursday.

When asked why he believed he was not included on the ticket, he responded: "I don't know."

A spokesperson for the NSW Liberal Party declined to comment.

Mr Pesce has recently been embroiled in controversy, including legal action following allegations he directed foul language towards council staff, and that he was part-owner of a property that was renovated without development approval from the relevant planning authority.

After former prime minister Scott Morrison vacated the federal seat of Cook, Mr Pesce was considered as a possible successor before he was passed over in favour of Simon Kennedy, who currently holds the seat.

Mr Pesce joined Sutherland Shire Council in 2012 and served as mayor from 2015 to 2020, and from 2022.

The ABC understands he was not the only Liberal councillor to lose the party's support. Deputy Mayor Carol Provan was also dropped from the ticket.