16(1)A minute of the proceedings of a meeting of a flood defence committee, purporting to be signed at that or the next ensuing meeting by—
(a)the chairman of the meeting to the proceedings of which the minute relates; or
(b)by the chairman of the next ensuing meeting,
shall be evidence of the proceedings and shall be received in evidence without further proof.
(2)Where a minute has been signed as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above in respect of a meeting of a committee or sub-committee, then, unless the contrary is shown—
(a)the meeting shall be deemed to have been duly convened and held;
(b)all the proceedings had at any such meeting shall be deemed to have been duly had; and
(c)that committee or sub-committee shall be deemed to have been duly constituted and have had power to deal with the matters referred to in the minute.
(3)The validity of any proceedings of a flood defence committee shall not be affected by any vacancy among the members of the committee or by any defect in the appointment of such a member.