Jezz Baker pleaded not guilty to corruption charges when he appeared at Winchester Crown Court yesterday.
The 46-year-old, who represents the Hilsea ward on Portsmouth City Council, stood down from the planning committee after he was arrested last April.
He has been charged with two counts under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889.
Baker is accused of twice receiving money or wine for assisting with planning applications.
He was suspended from the Tory party and is not standing in next month's local elections, having now resigned from the party.
Tory leader Steve Wemyss said: 'I haven't spoken to him for a few days but this can't be easy for him.
'He is not a well man and his life was a bit chaotic anyway, so with this on top it can't be easy for him at all.'
Police launched an investigation in March last year after an allegation was made by a member of the public.
A month later officers arrested Baker, of Mulberry Avenue, Cosham, Ports-
mouth, on suspicion of corruption in a public office.
Detectives from Hampshire's Serious and Organised Crime Unit quizzed him for more than 27 hours before releasing him on bail. He was later charged by police.
Speaking to The News previously, Baker insisted he was innocent.
He said: 'I'm not on the city council to line my pockets, I'm on the city council to do the right thing for the people of Portsmouth.'
Baker is accused of taking wine and £750 in December 2006 and January 2007.
Both offences are classed as corruption under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889.
Under the act, it is an offence for any person alone, or in conjunction with others, to corruptly solicit or receive, or agree to receive, any gift, loan, fee, reward or advantage as an inducement to, or reward for, doing or failing to do something in respect to their role with the public body. Baker will appear back at Winchester Crown Court on October 6 for trial.