28.—(1) An overview and scrutiny committee of a council—
(a)may appoint one or more sub-committees, and
(b)may arrange for the discharge of any of its functions by any such sub-committee.
(2) A sub-committee of an overview and scrutiny committee may not discharge any functions other than those conferred on it under subsection (1)(b).
(3) An overview and scrutiny committee of a council, or a sub-committee of such a committee, may not include a member of the council’s executive.
(4) An overview and scrutiny committee of a council, or any sub-committee of such a committee, may include persons who are not councillors.
(5) Persons who are not members of the council are not entitled to vote at any meeting of its overview and scrutiny committee, or any sub-committee of such a committee, on any question which falls to be decided at that meeting, unless permitted to do so under Schedule 4 (voting rights of co-opted members); and that Schedule shall have effect.
(6) Section 11(2) and sections 16 and 18 apply to an overview and scrutiny committee of a council, or a sub-committee of such a committee, as they apply to a committee appointed under section 11.
(7) An overview and scrutiny committee of a council or a sub-committee of such a committee—
(a)may require members of the executive, and officers of the council, to attend before it to answer questions; and
(b)may invite other persons to attend meetings of the committee.
(8) It is the duty of any member or officer mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (7) to comply with any requirement mentioned in that paragraph.
(9) A person is not obliged by subsection (8) to answer any question which the person would be entitled to refuse to answer in or for the purposes of proceedings in a court in Northern Ireland.
(10) In exercising, or deciding whether to exercise, any of its functions, an overview and scrutiny committee of a council, or a sub-committee of such a committee, must have regard to any guidance issued by the Department.