Wingecarribee Shire Council mayor Duncan Gair's comment to general manager Ann Prendergast provoked outrage from residents during Wednesday night's council meeting.

Residents lashed out at the comment on council's live stream of the meeting on its Facebook account.

"Doesn't bode well for a family-friendly chamber. I would've thought that the representative body of the ratepayers would be obliged to provide a family-friendly environment where attendees feel welcome, safe and accepted," one resident said.

"He needs to be very aware [of] what he says when his mic is on... what disgraceful behaviour from the mayor!" another resident said.

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Mayor Gair said the noise from the "five or six" children in the chamber "was disturbing councillors".

"It took time for the debate to get to where it was. Children were getting restless," he said.

"There is a foyer right next to the chamber and the people could still hear the debate. The children would be free to walk around without being impeded with grown ups in chairs."

Mayor Gair said children were allowed to be in the council chambers.

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"I'm very aware of young kids, I was a single dad with four. I do know about trying to be tolerant with children," he said.

"The mothers were very good. I said at the end of the debate 'thank you very much for being understanding'. I didn't see any adverse [reactions], I don't want to make an issue out of it.

"I can understand they get restless as young children over a period of time when there is nothing for them to do."

Mayor Gair said council would consider providing toys and colouring-in books for children in the foyer.

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A Wingecarribee Shire Council spokesman said there was no age limit precluding children from the chamber.

The controversial comment preceded a discussion by council about the future of the Family Day Care and Wingecarribee Out of School Hours services.