PLANNING bosses want to prove to Bury people that they are following the letter of the law.

They are drawing up a new code of conduct following recommendations in the Nolan Committee's report on local government.

As planning matters are often controversial and cause heated debate, they want to ensure that strict rules and regulations are observed.

Recently, some 30 councillors and officers from Bury and Rochdale met for a one-day workshop to look at planning issues.

Coun Alan Matthews, who is chairman of Bury Council's planning control sub committee, chaired the workshop.

He said: "Planning issues are often at the centre of many local disagreements and no matter what decision the council makes, invariably someone is unhappy."

He said such in-house training would help both newly-elected members and keep older councillors up to date with changes regarding their powers and responsibilities in planning and development control.

"We are now looking at establishing a new code of conduct in Bury in relation to planning matters," said Coun Matthews. "This should help councillors and our officers and also give the public a greater confidence when they come to the council with these kinds of matters."

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