8(1)This paragraph applies where the Mayor presents a final draft budget to the Assembly in accordance with paragraph 6 above.
(2)The final draft budget must be considered at a public meeting of the Assembly.
(3)After considering the final draft budget, the Assembly must approve it with or without amendment.
(4)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) above, the only amendments which are to be made are those agreed to by at least two-thirds of the Assembly members voting.
(5)If no amendments are made on consideration of the final draft budget, the final draft budget shall be deemed to be approved without amendment.
(6)The final draft budget as approved by the Assembly with or without amendment shall be the Authority’s consolidated budget for the financial year.
(7)It shall be the duty of the Assembly to approve the final draft budget with or without amendment before the last day of February in the financial year preceding that to which the final draft budget relates.