Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006

Section 20(2)

SCHEDULE 9 District policing partnerships: Belfast sub-groups

Introduction

1 In paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 to the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), (Belfast), the inserted Schedule 3A to the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 is amended as follows.

Effect of local government election on membership of sub-group

2 (1) In paragraph 1, after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) In this Schedule, in relation to a sub-group and the holding of a local general election—

• “the transitional period” means the period—

  (a)

  beginning with the election day; and

  (b)

  ending with the day before the reconstitution date;

• “reconstitution date” means the date published by notice of the Board under paragraph 4(2A).”

(2) In paragraph 3(3), for “date of the local general election” substitute “day before the reconstitution date”.

(3) At the end of paragraph 3 add—

“(7) Where a political member ceases to hold office at any time during the transitional period, no appointment shall be made to fill the casual vacancy; and paragraph 2 and sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph shall have effect subject to this sub-paragraph.”

(4) In paragraph 4, after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) Where, following a local general election, the Board has completed the appointment of the independent members of the sub-group for a police district, it shall publish notice of the date which is to be the reconstitution date in relation to the sub-group for that police district.

(2B) Notice under sub-paragraph (2A) shall be published in such manner as appears to the Board appropriate for bringing it to the attention of interested persons.”

(5) In paragraph 4(4), for “date of the local general election” substitute “day before the reconstitution date”.

(6) At the end of paragraph 4 add—

“(8) Where an independent member ceases to hold office at any time during the transitional period, no appointment shall be made to fill the casual vacancy; and paragraph 2 and sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph shall have effect subject to this sub-paragraph.”

Removal of members of sub-group from office

3 In paragraph 7(1) (removal of members of sub-group), for head (c) substitute—

“(c) he has been convicted in Northern Ireland or elsewhere after the date of his appointment of a criminal offence (whether committed before or after that date);”.

Chairman and vice-chairman of sub-group

4 For paragraph 9 (chairman and vice-chairman of sub-group) substitute—

“Chairman and vice-chairman

9 (1) For each sub-group there shall be a chairman appointed by the council from among the political members.

(2) In making appointments to the office of chairman, the council shall ensure that, so far as is practicable—

(a) a person is appointed to that office for a term of 12 months at a time or, where that period is shorter than 18 months, for a period ending with the reconstitution date next following his appointment;

(b) that office is held in turn by each of the four largest parties represented on the council immediately after the last local general election.

(3) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a person shall hold and vacate office as chairman in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(4) A person may at any time resign as chairman by notice in writing to the council.

(5) If the chairman ceases to be a member of the sub-group, he shall also cease to hold office as chairman.

9A (1) For each sub-group there shall be a vice-chairman elected by the independent members from among such members.

(2) The election of a vice-chairman shall be conducted in accordance with procedures determined by the sub-group under paragraph 14(4).

(3) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a person shall hold and vacate office as vice-chairman in accordance with such terms as the Board may determine.

(4) In determining terms under sub-paragraph (3), the Board shall ensure that, so far as is practicable, a person holds office as vice-chairman for a term of 12 months at a time or, where that period is shorter than 18 months, for a period ending with the reconstitution date next following his election to that office.

(5) A person may at any time resign as vice-chairman by notice in writing to the Board.

(6) If the vice-chairman ceases to be a member of the sub-group, he shall also cease to hold office as vice-chairman.”