Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014

Investigations: further provisions

56.—(1) The procedure for conducting an investigation under section 55 is to be such as the Commissioner considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), the Commissioner must give any person who is the subject of an investigation under section 55 an opportunity to comment on any allegation that the person has failed, or may have failed, to comply with the code of conduct.

(3) The Commissioner may pay to persons who attend or furnish information for the purposes of an investigation under section 55—

(a) such sums in respect of the expenses properly incurred by them; and

(b) such allowances by way of compensation for the loss of their time,

as may be determined by the Commissioner.

(4) The carrying out of an investigation under section 55 is not to affect—

(a) any action taken by the council concerned; or

(b) any power or duty of the council concerned to take further action with respect to any matters which are the subject of the investigation.

(5) Where a person is no longer a councillor of the council concerned but is a councillor of another council, any reference in subsection (4) to the council concerned is to be treated as including a reference to that other council.