A COUNCILLOR who attended a free meal function at a Burnley restaurant would have been advised to declare an interest when he later sat on a committee which granted it a music licence.

But, in a special report, council chief executive Roger Ellis adds there was no suggestion of improper conduct by recreation vice-chairman Barry Guttridge, or that he influenced the way the application for The Old Stables at Towneley was treated.

Claims that ex-mayor Peter Swainston, Labour councillors Barry Guttridge and John Harbour and their partners and two council officers, were out of order in accepting free hospitality at the re-opening of the council-owned premises, were also dismissed in Mr Ellis's report to the policy committee.

A file note of attendance at the party had been kept by community services director Ian Saville, who also attended, in line with declaration procedures. He said the councillors and officers concerned felt it important to see the restaurant off to a good start and that their presence would be of assistance.

He adds: "In my view, members and officers who attended the event acted reasonably and properly."

But Independent Coun Harry Brooks, who demanded the inquiry, described the explanations as "garbage" adding: "It is utter nonsense. What they wanted was a good night out for nothing."

It was, he added, unwise of them to accept the invitations.

"They compromised themselves when they must be seen to be acting properly."

Coun Brooks said the investigation was seriously flawed in that it was carried out by the chief executive, who was de facto an employee of the majority Labour group on the council - akin to asking Adrian Heath to investigate complaints against the directors of Burnley Football Club.

Mr Ellis said he was, by order of Parliament, the council's monitoring officer, whose duty was to investigate potential breaches in the law.

He vigorously maintained his independence, adding he could not be pressured by any party.

Mr Ellis added that any councillor alleging political bias was commiting defamation, something he wood take very seriously.

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