NORTH Wiltshire District Council solicitor Pete Jeremiah has decided not to act on a complaint that councillors behaved improperly when deciding the future of the former Goldiggers nightclub.

Coun Philip Allnatt claimed Tory leader, Coun Toby Sturgis and Independent, Coun John Thomson, were each trying to recruit Liberal Democrat David Poole into their ranks, when they were due to vote on the fate of the nightclub which a consortium, Pizzazz Leisure, in which Coun Poole was a partner, had hoped to take over.

Coun Allnatt complained they should have declared an interest when voting at the council meeting on September 5.

Coun Allnatt claimed both councillors had invited Coun Poole to join their political groups, linking this with their understanding of his dissatisfaction with the handling of the Goldiggers matter.

"Such invitations are not uncommon nor contrary to the code of conduct. However, linked with the specific item under consideration in which Coun Poole had a financial interest, does warrant a declaration of non-pecuniary interest," Mr Allnatt complained.

He said: "I consider it very serious when councillors are invited to join other groups on the basis of the issue being considered. Thomson and Sturgis should say exactly what they were offering. There may be an innocent explanation."

Coun Sturgis denied the allegation. "I asked Coun Poole what he was doing. I understood he might be joining the Independents."

Coun Thomson also denied wrongdoing. He said Coun Poole had approached the Independent group because he was upset with the handling of Goldiggers, but he had declined to join.

Mr Jeremiah said he would not be taking further action because he had no evidence to substantiate the claims which were based on hearsay.