For every local government area there shall be a council consisting of a convener and councillors.

Subject to any provision of this Act F1and of the M1Environment Act 1995, the council for each local government area shall on and after 1st April 1996 have all the functions exercised immediately before that date in relation to their area by any existing regional, islands or district council.

The council for each local government area shall be a body corporate by the name “The Council” with the addition of the name of the particular area, and shall have a common seal.