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. . . . ”]