A COUNCILLOR has apologised for making an "inappropriate" comment at a public meeting – after an investigation which cost the taxpayer more than £4,000.
Carol Pepper, a Conservative councillor on Gedling Borough Council, made the comments at a council meeting in August 2011 over controversial plans to build homes on Mapperley Golf Course.
The comments referred to Labour councillor Darrell Pulk's personal relationship with Dr Colette Roberts, who is parliamentary assistant to Gedling MP Vernon Coaker.
She also slammed down a bag of coins on the table, thought to refer to "30 pieces of silver", to emphasise an allegation that the city council had been negotiating with Gedling Borough Council over the proposed housing development.
Mr Pulk, Councillor Steve Ainley and Dr Roberts all complained about her, which led to an internal investigation.
The council decided not to take further action, but all three complainants asked for this to be reconsidered.
The council then decided to pass the matter on to a law firm, Weightmans, because its own legal team did not have the capacity to deal with it. The solicitors' investigation, which cost the council £4,126, found there was evidence that Ms Pepper had failed to comply with the council's code of conduct, which says councillors "must treat others with respect" and "must not conduct themselves in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing their office or authority into disrepute".
It was agreed a verbal apology would resolve the situation, and Ms Pepper delivered this at a council meeting on December 19.
Mr Pulk said: "Had she apologised in the first instance, or never even made the comments, we would not have had to spend any council taxpayer's money.
"The consequences of her behaviour are disappointing. But she has apologised now and admitted she was at fault."
The investigation found that Ms Pepper had "tried to apologise" to Mr Pulk directly after the meeting in 2011.
Dr Roberts said: "It is unfortunate that Councillor Pepper chose to speak about me in a public meeting in the manner in which she did. As she has now apologised, the matter is closed."
Ms Pepper, who is also chairman of Notts County Council, declined to comment.
But Chris Barnfather, leader of the councils' Conservative group, said: "Councillor Pepper is upset about the whole thing. Her comments were made in the heat of a debate. She offered an apology on the day but it was not accepted. It is unfortunate that it has cost the public this amount of money to secure an apology that was offered on the night."
Councillors will discuss the outcome of the dispute at a standards committee meeting at 4.30pm today.
The council's Labour leader, Councillor John Clarke, said the investigation into the incident was required by law.
"There are, of course, things we'd prefer to be spending the council's money on, so I hope this is a lesson to all members to behave appropriately."
