City councillor and architect Philip Thalis.

Last week, the Civil and Administrative Tribunal agreed to request summonses from Clover Moore Independent Team councillor Thalis, the City of Sydney and the NSW Electoral Commission based on an application from local resident Andrew Woodhouse.

Mr Woodhouse is seeking the dismissal of Cr Thalis over a perceived conflict of interest between his role on the council and his work for the City with his firm Hill Thalis.

Architecture firm Hill Thalis has provided advice on the Cloud Arch sculpture project.Source:Supplied

While a council spokesman denied there had been any conflict of interest, in a document tendered to the court it was shown that City chief executive Monica Barone wrote to Cr Thalis about his ongoing design work for council on two major projects before his election.

The City “agree it is appropriate for Hill Thalis to continue providing design services for the Thomas and Hay Street project and the Centenary Cloudgate project”.

The Cloud Arch sculpture, designed by Japanese artist Junya Ishigami, is part of a $9.3 million public art project by the City and will tower more than 50m above George St outside Sydney Town Hall.

City of Sydney chief executive Monica Barone said Cr Thalis must manage the perception of a conflict of interest. Picture: Craig WilsonSource:News Corp Australia

Ms Barone acknowledged the danger of a conflict of interest, warning Cr Thalis that he must “manage any perceptions of a conflict of interest created by ongoing involvement in the nominated projects in accordance with the City’s Code of Conduct”.

Mr Woodhouse has since written to all councillors requesting the immediate resignation of Cr Thalis.

All parties will appear before the tribunal on Thursday for the set-down of a hearing date.

Originally published as Thalis court case to progress