AN 84-YEAR-old parish councillor has been reprimanded for breaching the code of conduct that governs its members. A member of Clavering Parish Council for 40 years – including 28 years as chairman – Cllr Edgar Eggie Abrahams was warned to clarify his t

AN 84-YEAR-old parish councillor has been reprimanded for breaching the code of conduct that governs its members.

A member of Clavering Parish Council for 40 years - including 28 years as chairman - Cllr Edgar 'Eggie' Abrahams was warned to "clarify his thinking in regard to the code of conduct" by Uttlesford District Council's (UDC's) standards committee at a hearing on Friday.

Despite breaching the code, Cllr Abrahams was let off with a warning as the committee decided he had "acted out of a mistaken, but genuinely held belief that he was not in breach of the code".

Cllr Abrahams said: "As far I'm concerned I haven't done anything wrong and I was acting in the interests of the village.

"It is a shame five councillors reported me. The whole hearing has been a waste of time and money."

Five members of Clavering Parish Council lodged a complaint against Cllr Abrahams when he failed to declare a personal interest at a meeting on May 14.

If the parish council joined the Essex Playing Fields Association then the Jubilee Field Committee, of which Cllr Abrahams is chairman - would benefit by saving its membership fee of £15.

The standards committee did not impose any sanctions on Cllr Abrahams, saying he had made an "error of judgement".

Carol Wilkinson, Clavering Parish Council clerk, said: "Anyone who puts themselves forward to be a councillor must comply with the legislation.

"We hope this will end the problems, and all the councillors who are working hard to keep Clavering such a great place to live in will now be able to continue their work.