(4.) The chairman may at any time convene a meeting of the parish council. If the chairman refuses to convene a meeting of the council after a requisition for that purpose signed by two members of the council has been presented to him, any two members of the council may forthwith, on that refusal, convene a meeting. If the chairman (without so refusing) does not within seven days after such presentation, convene a meeting, any two members of the council may, on the expiration of those seven days, convene a meeting. (5.) Three clear days at least before any meeting of a parish council notice thereof, specifying the time and place of the intended meeting and the business to be transacted at the meeting, and signed by or on behalf of the chairman of the parish council or persons convening the meeting, shall be given to every member of the parish council, and in case of the annual meeting notice specifying the like particulars shall be given to every member of the parish council immediately after his election. (6.) Any notice required by law to be given to the chairman or any other member of the parish council may be left at or sent by post to the usual place of abode of such chairman or member. (7.) No business shall be transacted at any meeting of a parish council unless at least one third of the full number of members are present thereat, subject to this qualification, that in no case shall the quorum be less than three. (9.) Every question at a meeting of a parish council shall be decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting on that question. (10.) In case of an equal division of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. (11.) The parish council may, if they think fit, appoint one of their number to be vice-chairman, and the vice-chairman shall, in the absence or during the inability of the chairman, have the powers and authority of the chairman. (12.) The proceedings of a parish council shall not be invalidated by any vacancy among their members, or by any defect in the election or qualification of any members thereof. (13.) A parish council shall hold not less than four meetings in each year, of which one shall be the annual meeting and every such meeting shall be open to the public unless the council otherwise direct. (14.) Every cheque or other order for payment of money by a parish council shall be signed by two members of the council. (15.) Any notice required to be given to or served on a parish council may be given to or served on the clerk to the parish council. PART THREE. General. (1.) Minutes of the proceedings of every parish council and parish meeting shall be kept in a book provided for that purpose. (2.) A minute of proceedings at a meeting of a parish council, or of a committee of a parish or district council, or at a parish meeting, signed at the same or the next ensuing meeting by a person describing himself as or appearing to be chairman of the meeting at which the minute is signed, shall be received in evidence without further proof. (3.) Until the contrary is proved, every meeting in respect of the proceedings whereof a minute has been so made shall be deemed to have been duly convened and held, and all the members of the meeting shall be deemed to have been duly qualified; and where the proceedings are proceedings of a committee, the committee shall be deemed to have been duly constituted, and to have had power to deal with the matters referred to in the minutes. (4.) Any instrument purporting to be executed under the hands or under the hands and seals of the chairman and of two other members of a parish council or of a parish meeting shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been duly so executed. (5.) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a parish council may make, vary, and revoke standing orders for the regulation of their proceedings and business, and of the proceedings and business at parish meetings for a rural parish having a parish council. (6.) Where there is no council for a rural parish, the parish meeting may, subject to the provisions of this Act, regulate their own proceedings and business. PART FOUR. Proceedings of Committees of Parish or District Councils. (1.) The quorum, proceedings, and place of meeting of a committee, whether within or without the parish or district, and the area (if any) within which the committee are to exercise their authority, shall be such as may be determined by regulations of the council or councils appointing the committee. (2.) Subject to such regulations, the quorum, proceedings, and place of meeting, whether within or without the parish or district, shall be such as the committee direct, and the chairman at any meeting of the committee shall have a second or casting vote. Sections 2, 3. Section 56. 58 Geo. 3, c. 69. The Vestries Act, 1818 Sections one, two, three, and four, so far as they relate to parish meetings and parish councils under this Act. 59 Geo. 3, c. 85. The Vestries Act, 1819 The whole Act, so far as it relates to parish meetings under this Act. 1 & 2 Will. 4, The Vestries Act, 1831 The whole Act, so far as it relates c. 60. 4 & 5 Will. 4, The Poor Law Amend- to parish meetings under this Act, except section thirty-nine. Session and Short Title. Extent of Repeal. 7 Will. 4 & 1 Vict. c. 45. The Parish Notices Section three, so far as it relates to 5 & 6 Vict. c. 57 | The Poor Law Amend 7 & 8 Vict. c. 101. ment Act, 1842. The Poor Law Amend- Section eight, section eleven, from "and in every case," to the end of the section, and section fifteen. Sections seventeen, twenty, and twenty-four, and section sixtyone from " and wherever any such collector" to "provisions of this Act." 13 & 14 Vict. The Vestries Act, 1850 Sections six, seven, eight, and nine, c. 57. so far as they relate to parish meetings under this Act. 14 & 15 Vict. c. 105. The Poor Law Amend- Section two and section three. 16 & 17 Vict. The Vestries Act, 1853 The whole Act, so far as it relates c. 65. to parish meetings under this Act. Section six. Sections thirteen to twenty-seven. In section thirty the words " or custom." Section fifty-four. In section two hundred and thirtyfive the words "under this Act," where they secondly occur. Sections six, seven, and eight. 23 & 24 Vict. The Public Improve- In section four the words "in value." c. 30. 25 & 26 Vict. c. 102. 25 & 26 Vict. c. 103. ments Act, 1860. The Metropolis Man- The Union Assessment 38 & 39 Vict. The Public Health Act, Section eight from "and the numc. 55. 1875. 39 & 40 Vict. The Divided Parishes c. 61. and Poor Law Amendment Act, 1876 47 & 48 Vict. The Municipal Elecc. 70. tions (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884. ber to the end of the section. In section nine, from "Provided that (1) An ex officio guardian" to "situated in an urban district" (being the provisoes); and the words" from owners or occupiers "of property situated in the rural district of a value sufficient to "qualify them as elective guar"dians for a union," and from "Subject to the provisions of this "Act" to the end of the section. Section two hundred, except so far as it applies to boroughs; sections two hundred and one and two hundred and four, section two hundred and forty-eight, except so far as it relates to overseers, and section three hundred and twelve. So much of Schedule I. as relates to committees, and Schedule II. 48 & 49 Vict. The Public Health Sections three and four. c. 53. (Members and Officers) Act, 1885. |