The Neath Harbour Revision (Constitution) Order 2009

Proceedings of Authority and committees

14.  The acts and proceedings of the Authority, or of any committee of the Authority, and not invalidated by any vacancy in the membership of the Authority or by any defect in the appointment, or the qualification for appointment, of any person as a member, or as chair or vice-chair, of the Authority or committee.

15.  The quorum required for a meeting of the Authority is four.

16.—(1) A member who has any interest, direct or indirect—

(a) in any contract or proposed contract to which the Authority is or would be a party; or

(b) in any other matter with which the Authority is concerned,

must declare that interest.

(2) A member who is present at a meeting of the Authority or of any committee of the Authority at which a contract or other matter in which that member has an interest is to be considered must—

(a) as soon as is practicable after the commencement of that meeting disclose the 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 other members of the Authority present by resolution so require; and

(ii) in any event while a decision on that contract or matter is being made.

(3) This paragraph does not apply to any interest—

(a) which a member has in respect of the payment to the Authority of pilotage charges or harbour dues;

(b) which arises in respect of the provision of harbour services or facilities affecting the trading community 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 the member possesses more than five per cent of the issued share capital of that company; or

(d) which the other members of the Authority present at the meeting by resolution declare to be too remote.

(4) The Authority must maintain and regularly update a register of interests declared by each member and make the register available for inspection by members of the public at all times during usual office hours.

17.  The person for the time being holding office as vice-chair has, and may exercise in the absence or incapacity of the chair, all the powers and functions of the chair.

18.  If at any meeting of the members neither the chair nor the vice-chair is present, the members present at the meeting must choose one of their number to be the chair of the meeting.

19.  If at any meeting of the Authority or of a committee of the Authority there is an equality of votes on any question the chair of the meeting has a second or casting vote.