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Councillors should not hear representations from the applicant or any other party and the Councillor shall have regard to the provisions on Lobbying in Section 7 above, and advise them that they may make representations in writing to the Council and direct them to relevant officers.

The Executive therefore has an interest in Strategic Planning: hence the Member of the Executive with the Strategic Development portfolio. As such, the Mayor, the lead Member and other Members of the Executive may be approached regarding or become involved in planning applications. This is perfectly acceptable but where the Mayor, the lead Member or other Members of the Executive are approached or become involved then this Code of Conduct also applies to them, particularly paragraphs 6, 7, 8 and 10. Further, they should not attend the pre-Committee site visits organised by officers unless they sit on the Planning Committee.

Councillors shall not attempt in any way to influence the terms of the officers’ reports upon any application including a particular recommendation. Officers are advising Councillors. They must give impartial policy advice on planning considerations and the recommendations as set out in the report without seeking to persuade Councillors. (This does not prevent a Councillor from asking questions or submitting views to the Director of Planning and Building Control, which may be incorporated into any Committee report).

Councillors of the Committee shall refrain from personal abuse and party-political considerations shall play no part in the Committee's deliberations. Councillors shall be respectful to the Chair and to each other and to officers and members of the public including applicants, developers, objectors and their representatives and shall not bully any person.

Councillors must not take part in the meeting's discussion on a proposal unless they have been present to hear the entire debate, including the officers' introduction to the matter. If an application has previously been deferred then the same Councillors will be asked to reconsider the application when it is returned to Committee.

Prior to deciding the matter before the Committee, Councillors must consider the advice that planning, legal or other officers give to the Committee with respect to the recommendation or any proposed amendment to it.

Respect the impartiality and integrity of the Council’s officers;

The Chief Executive and/or the Mayor may from time to time establish working parties or advisory bodies which include in their membership Councillors and/or officers and/or representatives from partner organisations or the local community. These are not constituted as Committees or Sub-Committees of the Council and are not authorised to make decisions on behalf of the Council. A list of such bodies is maintained and updated by the Monitoring Officer.

In addition the following Officers are in attendance to report to the group:

Other Officers and partners may be called in to specific meetings. However, the Corporate Parent Board will do more to engage partner agencies to support the wellbeing of all Looked After Children. This will include partners from education, mental health, Jobcentre Plus (inc DWP), housing and the youth offending service.