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These rules apply to all meetings of the Development Committee, Strategic Development Committee and Council in relation to the determination of planning applications.

Except as otherwise stated on the agenda, generally meetings take place at Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BJ commencing at 6.30 pm.

This Code applies to Councillors at all times that they are involved in the planning process. This would include, where applicable, when part of decision making meetings of the Council in exercising the functions of the Planning Authority or when involved on less formal occasions, such as meetings with officers or the public and consultative meetings. It applies as equally to planning enforcement matters or site specific policy issues as it does to planning applications.

Public meetings are sometimes organised as part of the Council’s pre-application process (contained in the Council’s Planning tool kit). All Councillors are encouraged to participate in such pre-application discussions.

Councillors should note that the Code of Conduct of Member and this Code apply to any of the above meetings, presentations or briefing sessions and that at any subsequent Committee considering the application that Councillors must disclose attendance at any such meetings and/ or presentations.

Councillors must come to meetings with an open mind and in accordance with section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2007 and section 70(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Councillors must make decisions in accordance with the Development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

In order that planning applications are processed properly and that any complaints can be fully investigated, record keeping will be complete and accurate. Every planning application file will contain an accurate account of events throughout its life, particularly the outcomes of meetings, significant telephone conversations and any declarations of interests by Councillors. Records will be kept in accordance with the Council’s Information Governance Framework and, specifically, the Council’s Records Management Policy.