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New rules around how council works with property developers

The new rules aim to “maintain public confidence” following Operation Aloft

The New Chinatown development has stalledThe new strategy aims to “maintain public confidence”(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

The relationship between Liverpool city councillors and property developers is to be tightened up in a new strategy to “maintain public confidence.” New documents released by the local authority have confirmed it will seek to set out a new protocol for elected members to “understand the behaviour expected” when dealing with external partners.

The papers, which will be endorsed by the city’s standard and ethics committee next week, said in relation to developers, councillors must adhere to its anti-fraud and corruption strategy. The local authority’s relationship with property developers has been under intense scrutiny since the instigation of Operation Aloft – an investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption linked to building and development contracts in the city.

The documents said the city council is “under a duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by its councillors.” The new protocol – should it be adopted – would provide a “ clear framework and guidelines” for members in relation to their contact with applicants, developers, contractors, agents and investors.

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The paperwork said this was particularly in relation to the risks of “perceived endorsement and too close an association in respect of the discharge of functions and responsibilities relating to planning, development, building control, licensing, and environment regulatory matters.” The protocol will assist councillors in “understanding the behaviour that is expected of you when dealing with developers, to provide a personal check and balance, and to set out the type of conduct that could lead to action being taken against you.”

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It added how councillors “must maintain conduct of the highest standard such that confidence and integrity are sustained.” Additionally the council does not endorse any developers “except following compliance with the correct decision-making and/or selection process.”

All offers of gifts or hospitality and any interests must be declared and registered in accordance with the requirements of the code of conduct and where such an interest is identified, members “must take all steps to exclude their participation in any continued discussions or decision-making, usually by requesting a substitute.” All approaches or contact by developers should be referred immediately to the relevant council team, it said.

The report added: “Any perceived, potential or actual conflicts of interest or apparent or actual bias between a councillor’s obligations as a councillor and their relationship with particular developers, or specific developments, contracts or investments, must be declared and recorded in accordance with the requirements of the code of conduct.” Meetings with developers could only take place on an “exceptional basis” and must be in the presence of a relevant officer.

The policy will be considered by the standards and ethics committee when it meets at Liverpool Town Hall next week.

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