NEW guidelines on the conduct of councillors were sent back to the drawing board after a meeting heard they could severely restrict the democratic role played by members.

A report to Newport council from its own officers proposed a protocal on complaints, member and officer relationships, personal relationships and the use of council facilities be adopted as part of the authority’s constitution.

But members voted for the matter to be returned to a cross-party group to be reconsidered.

Mark Whitcutt, Labour councillor for Gaer, told a full council meeting he was concerned and highlighted a paragraph that said council premises should not be used for any party political matter.

He said: “Our offices are all political.

I believe this is a severe restriction on our democratic role and mandate – it shows contempt in some respects.”

Another clause said party workers have entitlement to access council councillors’ facilities or information accessible by councillors as part of their role.

“That does cut off any political advice that we have from our parties who often employ specialists,” he said.

“It means we have no alternative but to purely rely on officer advice.”

Liberal Democrat cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Ed Townsend said Mr Whitcutt had made “some very salient points” and CllrMatthew Evans said manyof them were acceptable to him.

Council agreed to have the document sent back to a cross-party group.