SCHEDULE RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE

5 Calling of meetings
(1) The chair of the joint committee may call a meeting of the joint committee at any time.
(2) If—
(a) the chair refuses to call a meeting of the joint committee after being presented with a requisition for that purpose signed by three voting members of the joint committee; or
(b) without so refusing, the chair does not call a meeting within seven days after being presented with such a requisition,
any three members of the joint committee, may, on that refusal or the expiration of those seven days (as the case may be), call a meeting of the joint committee.
(3) At least ten clear days before a meeting of the joint committee—
(a) notice of the time and place of the intended meeting shall be publicised at the offices of each constituent authority; and where the meeting is called by members of the joint committee, the notice shall be signed by those members and shall specify the business proposed to be transacted at that meeting; and
(b) subject to sub-paragraph (4), a summons to attend the meeting, specifying the agenda for that meeting, and, unless paragraph (a) applies, signed by the chair, shall be left at or sent by post to the usual place of residence of every member of the joint committee; and a copy of the summons shall be given or sent to the proper officer of every constituent authority.
(4) Lack of service of the summons in accordance with sub-paragraph (3)(b) shall not affect the validity of a meeting.
(5) A voting member who is unable to attend any meeting of the joint committee shall inform the chair of the joint committee in writing as soon as practicable and in any event not later than 24 hours before the meeting is due to take place.
(6) Where the chair receives notification in accordance with sub-paragraph (5)—
(a) the voting member giving the notification shall be deemed not to be a member of the joint committee for the whole of the meeting to which the notification relates;
(b) the voting member’s substitute may attend the meeting; and
(c) the voting member’s substitute shall be deemed to be a voting member of the joint committee for the whole of that meeting.
(7) Where the office of chair is vacant, sub-paragraphs (1) to (6) shall apply as if references to the chair of the joint committee were references to the vice-chair of the joint committee.