Commentary on Articles
9.A commentary on the provisions follows below (comments are not given where the wording is self-explanatory):
Articles 1-2 are concerned with introductory provisions;
Article 3 is concerned with extending existing DPPs until the new DPPs are established;
Article 4 is concerned with amending a power to remove a member from office;
Article 5 is concerned with amending that the vice-chair will be held by an independent member.
Article 3 – Effect of local government election on membership of DPP
10.This Article provides that DPPs existing at the date of a local government election shall no longer cease to operate from that date but shall be temporarily extended until the new DPPs are established i.e. reconstituted. It facilitates this by extending the membership of existing political members, who continue to hold office following the previous local government election. It also extends the membership of existing independent members. Both types of members shall now hold office until the day before the reconstitution date. The reconstitution date is the date published by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, as they see appropriate, once they have a list of independent members.
11.This Article also provides that should any vacancies arise during the transitional period, whether political or independent, that they will not be filled. It temporarily waives the need for the DPP to be of a certain size and composition, and representative of the community, during the transitional period.
Article 5 – Vice-chairman of DPP
12.This Article provides that, commencing with the first reconstitution date of DPPs, the position of vice-chair will be appointed by independent members from among independent members. The Article also provides that the person holding the position of chair and vice-chair can only do so for a period up to 12 months outside any transitional period. This can be extended to no longer than 18 months, or up to the reconstitution date, during any transitional period.