I get the feeling that officers are sometimes secretly happy when we go against their advice. We can't be fired other than by the electorate. They can.

Is there a conflict if you've had your constituents asking you to pursue a particular application, and then you're on the panel when it comes up?

No, as long as I haven't fettered my discretion. In other words, I can listen to concerns, meet residents, etc., but I can't tell them what I think, or give any suggestion of a closed mind before the meeting - I have to be open to being swayed by my colleagues' debate, otherwise I have a bias and must exclude myself from the process.

Also, there's a lot of development coming up which is very close to where I live, and I keep getting notice of planning applications from the council, as a resident. In those cases I have less power than anyone else. I cannot rule on those cases, and when they are being discussed I can't even be in the room - not even the public gallery. I am allowed to speak as a member of the public, but I must be outside the room before I speak and leave immediately afterwards. In that situation, I'm in the ironic position of needing my other ward councillors to represent me, both of whom are Labour! (We have a reasonable working relationship when it comes to community development though)