Local Government Act 1972

5 (1) At a meeting of a principal council the chairman, if present, shall preside. E+W

(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;

F2 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(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;

F5 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(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.

[F6 (4) A member of an executive of a principal council [F7 , or an assistant to the executive,] may not be chosen to preside under sub-paragraph (3) above.

F6 (5) Sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (3)(c) above do not apply where a London borough council are operating executive arrangements which involve a mayor and cabinet executive F8 . . . . ”]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17

F2 Sch. 12 para. 5(2)(b) repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17

F3 Words repealed by S.I. 1977/1710, art. 3(c)

F4 Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17

F5 Sch. 12 para. (3)(b) repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17

F6 Sch. 12 para. 5(4)(5) inserted (26.10.2000 (E.) and 28.7.2001 (W.)) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 46, 108(4), Sch. 3 para. 14(1)(2); S.I. 2000/2849, art. 2(e)

F7 Words in Sch. 12 para. 5(4) inserted (5.5.2022) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 6 para. 1(4); S.I. 2021/231, art. 6(t) (as substituted by S.I. 2021/1249, art. 3(2))

F8 Words in Sch. 12 para. 5(5) omitted (30.12.2007) by virtue of Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 74, 245, Sch. 3 para. 12(2) and said words repealed (prosp.) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 241, 245, Sch. 18 Pt. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 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)