Transitional arrangements30

1

Where a relevant authority has —

a

established a standards committee before the date on which these Regulations come into force, and

b

the membership of that committee at the date on which these Regulations come into force includes one or more independent members

the following paragraphs shall apply.

2

Subject to paragraph (3) below, such a relevant authority may allow such an independent member to continue as a member for whichever is the shorter of the following periods —

a

five years from the date on which these Regulations come into force, or

b

until the term of office of that independent member comes to an end.

3

Paragraph (2) above shall not apply where —

a

a relevant authority does not consider that the appointment process for any such independent member was sufficient to guarantee the independence of that member, or

b

any such independent member would not meet the requirements of the definition of an independent member for the purposes of these Regulations.