Paul Leake wrote:

> Given how easy it is for Councillors to fetter their discretion with
> regards to commenting on eg. planning issues and thus being seen to make
> up their minds before the debate, how come most Councils have political
> groups that emphasise the importance of keeping to a pre-decided group
> line?

You are not allowed to fetter your discretion when you are operating in a
quasi-judicial role. Making decisions on planning application is deemed to
be such a case. (You can have pre positions on matters such as struture plan
policy.) Thus councillors on development control committes are made to look
suspsicious if they are approached by constituents who want them to oppose
(or more rarely support) a planning application.



>
>
> Cheers,
> Paul

--
Mike Drew
Yate/Sodbury and Dodington Liberal Democrats
Lib Dem Councillor since 1983