Local Government Act, 1991

Committees of local authorities.

37.—(1) (a) A local authority may, if it considers it appropriate to do so, by resolution, establish—

(i) a committee to consider matters connected with the functions of the authority referred to it by the authority and to advise the authority on those matters, or

(ii) a committee to perform functions of the authority delegated to it under this section,

and references in this Part to a committee are, unless the context otherwise requires, references to a committee established under this paragraph.

(b) A local authority may establish more than one committee.

(c) A local authority shall not establish a committee to consider matters connected with, or to perform, the functions generally of the authority in respect of a particular local electoral area.

(2) (a) A local authority may, by resolution, delegate with or without restrictions to a committee established under subsection (1) (a) (ii) any of its functions that may be performed by resolution except the power to adopt the estimate of expenses of the authority or to make a rate or borrow money or any other prescribed functions.

(b) Without prejudice to any other relevant requirements, it shall be necessary for the passing of a resolution under paragraph (a) that the number of members of the local authority concerned voting in favour of the resolution exceeds one-half of the total number of members of the authority.

(3) A local authority may, by resolution, dissolve a committee established by it but the dissolution shall be without prejudice to anything previously done by the committee.

(4) Save as provided for by this section or section 18 or 38 or otherwise by law, it shall not be lawful for a local authority to establish a committee or to delegate any of its functions to a committee.

(5) Notwithstanding the repeal under section 4 or the cesser under section 40 of an enactment by or under which a committee of a local authority stood established immediately before such repeal or cesser, the committee shall continue to stand established after such repeal or cesser as if it was established under this section and this Part shall apply and have effect accordingly in relation to it.