14. The acts and proceedings of the Authority, or of any committee of the Authority, shall not be invalidated by any vacancy in their number or by any defect in the appointment, or the qualification for appointment, of any person as a member, or as convener or deputy convener, of the Authority or committee.
15.—(1) If a member has any interest, direct or indirect—
(a)in any contract or proposed contract to which the Authority are or would be a party or is a director of a company or body with which the contract or proposed contract is made or proposed to be made; or
(b)in any other matter with which the Authority are concerned,
he shall declare that interest.
(2) If a member is present at a meeting of the Authority or of any committee of the Authority at which a contract or other matter in which he has an interest is to be considered he shall—
(a)as soon as is practicable disclose his interest;
(b)not vote on any question with respect to that contract or matter; and
(c)withdraw from the meeting—
(i)at any time if the members present by resolution require him so to do; and
(ii)while a decision on that contract or matter is being made.
(3) This paragraph shall not apply to any interest—
(a)which a member has in respect of the payment to the Authority of standard harbour dues;
(b)which arises in respect of the provision of harbour services or facilities affecting the trading and leisure communities in general;
(c)which a member has as an employee of a public utility undertaking or as a shareholder, not being a director of a company, unless he possesses more than five per cent of the issued share capital of that company; or
(d)which the members present at the meeting by resolution declare to be too remote.
16. The person for the time being holding office as deputy convener shall have and may exercise in the absence or incapacity of the convener all the functions of the convener.
17. If at any meeting of the Authority neither the convener nor the deputy convener are present the members present at the meeting shall choose one of their number to be the convener of the meeting.
18.—(1) Every question at a meeting of the Authority or of a committee of the Authority shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
(2) If at any meeting of the Authority or of a committee of the Authority there is an equality of votes on any question the convener of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote which he may exercise for or against the status quo.