AN Ilminster councillor has apologised for his behaviour which it is claimed ‘humiliated’ the council and ‘flouted the rules’.

Cllr Stuart Shepherd apologised to the town council on Tuesday night in a bid to clear his name as it was also announced he intends to stand for the district council in this year’s elections.

In a complaint to South Somerset District Council, it was suggested Cllr Shepherd should be forced to resign from his post.

The offending behaviour occurred during a town council meeting in January 2014 held at Swanmead’s school hall due to the anticipated high public turnout.

The meeting was to discuss the town council’s review of recreational facilities and as Cllr Shepherd was a member of the recreational review committee, representing the town’s cricket club, he declared a prejudicial interest.

Under the town council’s code of conduct, he was required to leave the room during the discussion – but he refused.

In the letter of complaint, Deputy Mayor Cllr Andrew Lawson said: “At this point, Cllr Shepherd declared that he would like to be considered as a member of the public for the remainder of the meeting, so that he could make a personal statement.

“He was reminded at this time that, due to his prejudicial interest, he would be required to leave the meeting once public question time was over. He made his personal statement to the council and then took a seat in the public area.

“Cllr Shepherd ignored the clerk’s request for him to leave and at this point the public started heckling the clerk telling her to stop being a bully.

Cllr Shepherd sat with his arms crossed and with a big grin on his face. To prevent much more retaliation, the clerk and mayor then moved the meeting on following the agenda.

However, the tone for the rest of the meeting had been set, the public continued to heckle and shout for the remainder of the meeting.

“I believe that Cllr Shepherd very publicly flouted the rules which he was reminded of several times during the meeting and having been a councillor for a considerable period of time, I think that he should be setting an example to the public.

“He undermined the town clerk’s authority and humiliated the council.

If I broke the rules in my place of work I would face disciplinary action, so believe Cllr Shepherd should be forced to resign from his post.”

Solicitors at the district council wrote to the long-serving councillor to say the behaviour was considered a breach of the council’s codes and that he should consider a written apology.

In a letter to the town clerk, Cllr Shepherd said: “As it is my intention to stand again for Ilminster Town Council in May 2015, and for the district council, it is only fair that I clear any problems with my candidature.

“In January 2014, a complaint was made against my action at the full council meeting at Swanmead School.

“I did declare both a personal and prejudicial interest in the particular subject referring to the recreation ground. My mistake was signing in as a councillor. I understand that I breached the code of conduct of the Ilminster Town Council, for which I apologise.

“As both you and members of the council will understand, as a long-term resident of Ilminster I shall continue to put the interest of the residents of the town foremost in any debate.”