The Wick Harbour Revision (Constitution) Order 2005

Committees

13.  The Members may, consistent with their duties and subject to such conditions as they think fit, delegate any of their functions to a committee of the Authority.

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 a chairman or vice chairman, of the Authority or committee.

15.  The quorum required for a meeting of the Authority shall be five.

16.—(1) If a Member has any interest, direct or indirect–

(a) in any contract or proposed contract to which the Authority is 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 is concerned;

that Member 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 ore other matter in which that Member has an interest is to be considered that Member shall–

(a) as soon as is practicable disclose that 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 that Member 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 that Member 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.

17.  The person for the time being holding office as vice chairman shall have and may exercise in the absence or incapacity of the chairman all powers of the chairman.

18.  If at any meeting of the Authority neither the chairman nor the vice chairman are present the Members present at the meeting shall choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.

19.—(1) Every question at a meeting of the Members 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 Members there is an equality of votes on any question the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote which that chairman may exercise for or against the status quo.