THE Mayor of Caldicot is facing allegations that he breached the code of conduct after failing to declare an interest at a council committee meeting.

An exempt meeting of Monmouthshire council's standards committee on February 8 considered a complaint to the Public Services Ombudsman of Wales against Cllr David Evans which claimed he failed to declare an interest arising from his association with two other councillors at an appointment of LEA governors committee in January 2010.

A statement from Monmouthshire council said the standards committee had accepted the Public Services Ombudsman's conclusion that Cllr Evans had not breached the part of the code which states members should not use their position to secure an advantage for themselves or any other person, but confirmed the committee will investigate four further alleged breaches.

Cllr Evans is facing allegations that he breached the part of the code which states councillors must consider whether they have a personal interest in a matter, and a rule which says councillors have a personal interest if a decision would affect their well-being or financial position, or that of a person they live with or have a close personal association with.

The committee will also investigate whether Cllr Evans failed to orally disclose a personal interest, and whether he failed to withdraw from a meeting where he had a prejudicial interest.

The allegations will be considered at a special meeting of the standards committee on April 1.

Cllr Evans declined to comment when approached by the Argus.