A COUNCILLOR has said she is taking legal advice on whether the actions of fellow councillors who reported her to the Standards Board were malicious or merely misguided.

Hurworth parish councillor Val Hughes expects to be fully exonerated after she was reported to the Standards Board by her fellow councillors, Julie Jones and George Lawman.

Coun Jones and Coun Lawman made complaints about five members - Coun Hughes, as well as chairman Peter Foster, deputy chairman Ian Holme, and Couns Ken Pattinson and Peter Allen.

The Standards Board has rejected all the complaints apart from two charges against Coun Holme, two against Coun Hughes, and one against Coun Allen, which are being investigated.

But Coun Hughes said at a meeting of Hurworth Parish Council that she expected the Standards Board to clear her name.

"Like many in this room, I am a member of Hurworth Community Association and I am proud to say that I was previously secretary of the association, a position I resigned before my election to the parish council," she said.

"I am advised that membership of the community association or being a trustee would not necessarily constitute a personal or private interest. The position was voluntary and I received no personal remuneration or personal benefit.

"I am taking legal advice as to whether or not the complaint was malicious or whether it was genuine but misguided, and if that advice says it was malicious, I will be taking the necessary action against those concerned.

"I want to make it clear there is no personal or financial gain in this position. I have been elected and trusted to do my best to make Hurworth a safe and happy place to live.

"It is my intention to resolve this matter and continue to do my duties as a parish councillor."

Coun Allen previously called for a meeting to discuss the allegations.

A spokeswoman for the Standards Board said the investigation was on-going.