I write further to your article published on May 9 entitled ‘Wheatley councillor breached code over plan application’.

The complaint made to the South Oxfordshire Standards Board – that I improperly used my position as a district councillor to influence the outcome of a planning application – has followed 12 unpleasant months for both me and my family, and so I am pleased that my council’s Standards Board has finally published its findings.

While I am certain that my intention was never to gain an unfair advantage, with hindsight I can now see the impression – however small – that could have been created.

It is vital that the public have the utmost confidence in local councillors, and I regret that my actions have led to that confidence being compromised.

As a new councillor, I was too naive to understand the implications of the words I chose in my letter to members of the planning committee.

I apologise unreservedly to all those involved and I fully accept and will act upon the findings of the board.

I have learnt an important lesson and I will re-double my efforts to ensure I never again fall short of the standards demanded of me as Wheatley and Horspath’s district councillor.

I believe that the matter is now closed.

Andrew Hodgson South Oxfordshire District Council Crowmarsh Wallingford