A local government expert is describing a decision by the Dunedin City Council to suspend a Councillor from voting, as 'petty bureaucracy gone mad'.

Councillor Lee Vandervis has been banned from voting at committee meetings for the next two months, following a recommendation from the code of conduct committee.

But he will be allowed to be present at all meetings and vote at full council meetings and Long Term Plan hearings.

Dr Andy Asquith from Massey University says banning him from one and not the other - doesn't make sense.

"Well that seems to demonstrate inconsistency, doesn't it.

"It seems incredibly petty minded."

Asquith says Councillor Vandervis has now been tied up in a seemingly minor issue.

"He's been taken away from what i would hope a local board is there for, which is serving its citizens."