The head Conservative at Bracknell Forest Council has apologised for letting “my passion and frustration get the better of me” and showing a lack of respect towards another councillor at a meeting last month.

Councillor Gareth Barnard – leader of the opposition Conservative group – gave his “full and unconditional apology” to Labour’s Tricia Brown at a planning committee meeting on Thursday, October 13. It followed some tense exchanges at the previous meeting on September 14.

Councillor Barnard said: “At the last planning committee meeting I let my passion and frustration get the better of me. On a number of occasions I showed a lack of respect to you the chair and therefore the committee as a whole.”

He added that he had reflected on his conduct and been to some training alongside others.

In the previous meeting, councillor Barnard interrupted councillor Brown while she commented on a question he had put to an environment officer.

He later argued with councillor Brown when she interrupted him to ask him to keep his comments relevant to the discussion.

At another point, councillor Brown also intervened to tell councillors not to talk while officers answered questions.

Councillor Barnard said: “I offer a full and unconditional public apology to the chair and members of the committee.” Councillor Brown thanked him for the apology and said it was “graciously received.”

Although the planning committee is made up of members from all parties on the council, it is non-political, meaning councillors are not supposed to vote on party lines.