18(1)This paragraph applies in relation to any period (or, as the case may be, the remainder of any period) when the Mayor is temporarily unable to act, if—
(a)at the beginning of that period there is no Deputy Mayor; or
(b)the person who, at the beginning of that period, is the Deputy Mayor gives notice to the proper officer of the Authority, within the permitted time, that he does not wish to exercise the functions of the Mayor pursuant to paragraph 14 above; or
(c)a casual vacancy occurs in the office of Deputy Mayor during that period;
and in paragraph (b) above “the permitted time” means the period of seven days following the day on which notice under paragraph 13(1)(b) above is given to the Deputy Mayor.
(2)Where this paragraph applies—
(a)paragraphs 14 and 15 above shall have effect with the substitution for references to the Deputy Mayor of references to the Chair of the Assembly; and
(b)paragraph 17 above shall be disregarded, but without prejudice to any action taken under paragraph (a) or (b), or required to be taken under paragraph (b), of that paragraph.
(3)If and so long as functions are exercisable by virtue of paragraph 14 above by the Chair of the Assembly, he shall not exercise any of the other functions of Chair of the Assembly.
(4)If and so long as the Chair of the Assembly is precluded by sub-paragraph (3) above from exercising any of his functions, those functions shall be exercisable instead by the Deputy Chair of the Assembly.
(5)If and so long as any functions of the Chair of the Assembly are, by virtue of sub-paragraph (4) above, exercisable by the Deputy Chair of the Assembly, the Deputy Chair of the Assembly shall not exercise any of his other functions.
(6)If and so long as the Deputy Chair of the Assembly is precluded by sub-paragraph (5) above from exercising any of his functions, those functions shall be exercisable instead by a person (“the acting Deputy Chair”) elected for the purpose at a meeting of the Assembly from among the Assembly members.
(7)A person must not at the same time hold office as acting Deputy Chair and as Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chair of the Assembly or Deputy Chair of the Assembly.
(8)If the acting Deputy Chair becomes Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chair of the Assembly or Deputy Chair of the Assembly, a vacancy shall occur in the office of acting Deputy Chair.