12.—(1) In relation to each council there must be—
(a)a chair of the council; and
(b)if the council so determines, a deputy chair of the council.
(2) Neither the chair nor the deputy chair of a council may hold any other position of responsibility while chair or deputy chair unless the position of responsibility falls within section 6(1)(f).
(3) In relation to each committee of a council there must be—
(a)a chair of the committee; and
(b)if the council so determines, a deputy chair of the committee.
(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “committee” includes “sub-committee”.
13.—(1) Until a successor takes up office the chair of a council continues—
(a)to hold office as chair of the council; and
(b)to be a member of the council, notwithstanding section 11(2)(c) of the 1962 Act (members of council retire on day after election day) if that provision would otherwise apply.
(2) Sub-paragraph (1) ceases to apply if the chair of the council resigns or is disqualified.
14.—(1) The chair of a council who is continuously absent from the district of the council, except in case of illness, for a period exceeding three months, ceases as from the expiration of that period to hold office as chair.
(2) Where a person ceases to be chair of a council under sub-paragraph (1), the council must forthwith declare the office of chair vacant and publish a notice to that effect.
(3) The notice must be signed by the clerk of the council.
15.—(1) Subject to any standing orders made by the council, anything authorised or required to be done by, to or before the chair in relation to the business of the council may be done by, to or before the deputy chair.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in section 18(3)(a) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954, no function is exercisable by or in relation to a deputy mayor or a deputy lord mayor that is not exercisable by or in relation to any other deputy chair of a council.