5(1)At a meeting of a principal council the chairman, if present, shall preside.
(2)If the chairman is absent from a meeting of a principal council, then—
(a). . . F1, the vice-chairman of the council, if present, shall preside;
(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2
(c)in the case of a London borough council, the deputy mayor, if at that time he remains a councillor . . . F3 and is chosen for that purpose by the members of the council then present, shall preside.
(3)If—
(a)in the case of a principal council . . . F4, both the chairman and vice-chairman of the council are absent from a meeting of the council;
(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5
(c)in the case of a London borough council, the mayor and deputy mayor are so absent or the deputy mayor being present is not chosen;
another member of the council chosen by the members of the council present shall preside.
Textual Amendments
F1Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17
F2Sch. 12 para. 5(2)(b) repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17
F3Words repealed by S.I. 1977/1710, art. 3(c)
F4Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Sch. 12 paras. 2-5 applied (with modifications)(1.5.2000 for specified purposes otherwise 3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328, Sch. 28 para. 10(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, arts. 3(a)(b), 4(a)(g)