If the chairman of a council is continuously absent from the district of the council for which he acts, except in case of illness, for a period exceeding three months, he shall, as from the expiration of that period, cease to hold his office as chairman.

Where a person ceases to be chairman of a council under subsection (1), the council shall forthwith declare his office as chairman to be vacant and signify the vacancy by notice signed by the clerk of the council and published in such manner as the council directs.