5.—(1) The first meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority may take place at any time after the operative date.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 2A to the 1996 Act and notwithstanding paragraph 6A of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972(1) the first meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority shall be regarded as that Authority’s annual meeting.
(3) If the first meeting takes place before 3rd July 2000, the provisions of article 6 below shall apply.