The Local Government Association has published a revised guidance note on probity in planning which sets out the role of councillors and officers. Among other guidance it notes: ‘Both councillors and officers are guided by codes of conduct. The code of conduct for members (the code), supplemented by guidance from the Standards Board, provides standards and guidance for councillors’. It states also, in the context of RTPI membership, but by implication also for IHBC membership and the observation of conservation standards: ‘… it is therefore recommended that the Code of Professional Conduct (or those parts of it which are relevant) is incorporated into conditions of employment’.(p.6)
The guidance is specifically intended for application in the widest context of standards for elected members and professional officers:
‘This revised guidance note is useful to both councillors and officers who become involved in operating the planning system – it is not therefore restricted to professional town planners and planning committee members. The successful operation of the planning system relies on mutual trust and understanding of each other’s role. It also relies on each ensuring that
they act in a way which is not only fair and impartial but is also clearly seen to be so.’ (p.5)
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/publications/publication-display.do?id=1940403
