A COUNCILLOR who used public money to set up an eco-home event while earning money from a solar panel firm will not face a formal investigation.

Coun Anna Semlyen invited fellow councillors to visit her home and learn ways of cutting energy bills and CO2 emissions, using funds from the council’s Fishergate ward committee for the event, which was later cancelled.

As her register of interests shows she receives £200 from a West Yorkshire solar panel company for every customer she refers, officers looked into whether she had breached the authority’s code of conduct.

A standards sub-committee has now decided “action other than a formal investigation” should be taken due to Coun Semlyen referring herself to the council’s senior legal officer, calling off the planned July 17 event and her “inexperience” as a councillor. She was elected in City of York Council’s Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward in May. She will be offered training to “ensure she understands the councillor code of conduct”.

“Before referring myself to the council’s monitoring officer, I booked to meet him for clarification regarding potential conflicts of interest concerning my role as a councillor and being self-employed,” said Coun Semlyen.

“I’m pleased this matter has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. As a new councillor, I realise there is a lot to learn and I am keen to ensure I follow the council’s rules and procedures fully. I can now concentrate solely on representing Dringhouses and Woodthorpe residents.”

The council’s register of interests requires councillors to declare all gifts and hospitality over £25. Coun Semlyen’s invitation to the July event, e-mailed to other councillors, said it was designed to show how household bills could be reduced through “efficiency measures and green technology, such as solar panels”.

Labour group leader Coun James Alexander said: “I think the right conclusion has been reached in this case and I’m looking forward to Anna contributing to the group now this issue is out of the way.

“Labour has the highest expectations of probity for our elected representatives and this is why Anna referred herself to the monitoring officer at the earliest opportunity.”