TWO councillors have been suspended from council planning meetings after they breached a code of conduct.

Husband and wife Alan and Elaine Crystall appeared at Southend Council’s standards sub-committee where they both admitted being in breach of the code, which requires them to declare personal or prejudicial interests at meetings.

Mr Crystall, a Leigh ward councillor was suspended from taking part in development control committee meetings for three months, and was ordered to take a training session on the members’ code of conduct within two months.

Mr Crystall, speaking at the meeting, said he needs more training on the code of conduct.

He added: “I forgot to declare my interest because I had a huge drive the day before and I was tired.

“I had been busy all week, and I had a 400 mile drive. I was worn out and tired.”

The matter dates back to 2006, when the couple did not declare a prejudicial interest when voting on plans to change the Bean deli cafe, in Leigh Broadway.

Kevin Fell, 34, who runs the cafe, complained to Southend Council last August after learning Mrs Crystall’s sister lives opposite the business.

The application was refused in 2007, but Mr Fell appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspect-orate, where the refusal was overturned.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Crystall said: “It is a fair decision for breaching the code of conduct.

“After 35 years on the council It’s inevitable mistakes will be made.

“I think more training is necessary and that was part of the problem.”

Mrs Crystall, a Leigh town councillor, was suspended from taking part in planning committee meetings with Leigh Town Council for three months and was also ordered to take training.

She was found to be in breach of the code of conduct for not declaring personal and prejudicial interest in 2006 and 2007, and for referring the 2007 and 2008 applications to a development control committee.

The committee also recommended members of Southend council and Leigh town council receive further training on the code of conduct.

Complainant Mr Fell said after the hearing: “It is shameful and I think they should have been disqualified.

“The guidelines were very clear and I have lost money over this.

“I still cannot operate it as a bar.

“I will be taking this matter further.”