3.—(1) There shall be 8, 9 or 10 political members, as the council may determine.
(2) In making a determination under sub-paragraph (1), the council shall have regard to—
(a)the number of members constituting the council; and
(b)the duty imposed by sub-paragraph (3).
(3) A council shall exercise its power to appoint political members so as to ensure that, so far as practicable, the political members reflect the balance of parties prevailing among the members of the council immediately after the last local general election.
(4) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a person shall hold and vacate office as a political member in accordance with the terms of that person’s appointment.
(5) A political member shall hold office until the day before the reconstitution date next following that member’s appointment.
(6) A person appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the political member in whose place that person is appointed.
(7) A political member (“P”) shall cease to hold office if—
(a)P resigns by notice in writing to the council;
(b)P becomes disqualified for membership of the PCSP; or
(c)P ceases to be a member of the council.
(8) A person whose term of office as a political member expires or who has resigned shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(9) 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 sub-paragraphs (1) and (3) shall have effect subject to this sub-paragraph.