The chairman of a principal council shall be elected annually by the council from among the councillors.

A member of the executive of a principal council may not be elected as the chairman of the council.

The chairman shall, unless he resigns or becomes disqualified, continue in office until his successor becomes entitled to act as chairman.

During his term of office the chairman shall continue to be a member of the council notwithstanding the provisions of this Act relating to the retirement of councillors.

The chairman of a district council shall have precedence in the district, but not so as prejudicially to affect Her Majesty’s royal prerogative.

Subsection (4) above shall have effect in relation to a district council which are operating executive arrangements which involve a mayor and cabinet executive F3. . . as if it provided for the elected mayor of the council to have precedence in the district, but this subsection shall not apply if the executive arrangements provide for it not to apply.

A principal council may pay the chairman for the purpose of enabling him to meet the expenses of his office such allowance as the council think reasonable.