i. Taking office and first meeting

Councillors automatically retire and new councillors take office on the fourth day following the day of the election (or the day after if this happens to fall on a bank holiday, such as in 2023).  

The annual meeting of the council shall be held on, or within 14 days after, the day on which councillors elected take office.  

It is important for councils to remember that, if they have and wish to continue to use the General Power of Competence, they must resolve at the annual meeting following an ordinary election that it meets the qualifying criteria.  It does NOT require renewal at the annual meeting in other years.

See also Meetings: o. Annual meeting of the Council