The NSW Liberal Party is considering taking the extraordinary step of suspending three of its local councillors for failing to vote along party lines. Among those facing a suspension of up to five years is a member of Hawkesbury council who refused to vote for the council's Liberal mayor because of concerns about his close links to an MP ensnared in a donations scandal.

Hawkesbury Cr Patrick Conolly will contest the threat of suspension when the party's all-powerful state executive meets next month.

Patrick Conolly will be asked to explain his vote refusal by the Liberal Party's state executive.

Mr Conolly will be asked to explain why he abstained from voting for Hawkesbury council's Liberal mayor, Kim Ford, in his September bid for re-election.

Cr Conolly declined to comment when approached by The Herald.