Council rejects Reading Golf Club's code of conduct complaint against councillor

The golf club accused councillor Clare Grashoff of a “serious breach” of the council’s code for her role in opposing plans for 260 homes while “not declaring her own family, personal and financial interests”.

Councillor Clare Grashoff released a statement on Tuesday evening (September 22), saying the complaint was “immediately dismissed” by the monitoring officer and accusing the golf club of attempting to damage her reputation.

READ MORE: More than a thousand objections to 260-home plan at Reading Golf Club

What did the club accuse the councillor of?

RGC said she had used the status of her public office “in order to benefit her father in law and husband and their million-pound home which is situated right next to the RGC”.

The golf club said this amounted to a “serious breach” of the council’s code of conduct.

How did the councillor react to the complaint?

Cllr Grashoff called the allegations “worrying and distressing”.

Responded to the claims, she said: “Everyone has a right to make a formal complaint against a councillor if they think there is wrongdoing and I respect that democratic right.

“However, what has been more worrying and distressing is that it has become clear that the same unfounded rumour has been promulgated to members of the community, members of the golf club [and the press].

“Given the outlandishness of the accusations I can only surmise this has been done with the sole purpose of doing serious damage to my reputation.

“What is particularly galling is that, while I stand to make absolutely nothing either way, those accusing me stand to make potentially huge, personal, financial gain.

“Whilst I am a public figure, I am also a mum and a member of the local community and the circulation of an unsubstantiated, vexatious, allegation has been particularly frustrating.”

READ MORE: High court appeal bid to save 245-home development close to defeat

She said it is “entirely proper for a local councillor to represent their residents in matters of such grave concern”.

Cllr Grashoff also pointed out that her two fellow Peppard councillors sit on the planning committee and are required to remain neutral so she is the only councillor can represent residents’ views on planning applications.

The Conservative councillor added: “It would be incorrect for me not to take a view and I will not be bullied or threatened into not doing so.”

Why does Cllr Grashoff oppose the development?

The Peppard ward councillor said she has regularly spoken up against all developments in her ward that she feels are unsustainable for the community, previously working with action group CAGE to oppose the Gladman development on the edge of Emmer Green.

Her reasons for opposing the development are:

• The widespread opposition to it expressed by residents of Peppard ward.
• The implications of future development on the South Oxfordshire District Council side of the course for Emmer Green and Reading as a whole.
• Believing development of this scale is unsustainable for the community.

How did the council deal with the complaint?

The council said its monitoring officer had considered the detail of the complaint against Cllr Grashoff and confirmed no further action is required.

A spokesman said: “In examining the complaint, Cllr Grashoff’s long-standing opposition to large scale developments in her ward was considered, as was the key role ward councillors play on campaigning on matters of local concern.

“She additionally has no direct financial interest in the golf club or properties adjacent to the Golf Club.”

How did the golf club respond to the verdict?

Commenting on the verdict and Cllr Grasshoff’s letter, RGC general manager Gary Stangoe said: “As the councillor herself has said, the golf club was perfectly within its rights to raise its concerns with the council’s monitoring officer over any potential conflict of interest that may exist.

“As such, the club’s letter to the council, with the facts it outlined, spoke for itself.”