Local Government Act 1993

The Minister may establish a Board of Inquiry to investigate a council, single authority or joint authority or any matter relating to the administration of this Act if– the Minister is satisfied that a matter justifies its establishment.

The Minister is to notify a council, single authority or joint authority of– the establishment of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the council, single authority or joint authority; and the reason for the inquiry; and the subject matter of the inquiry.

A Board of Inquiry consists of one or more persons appointed by the Minister.

A member of a Board of Inquiry is entitled to such allowances as the Minister determines.

If the Minister establishes a Board of Inquiry to investigate a council, the Minister, at any time during the inquiry, may suspend all the councillors, or any of the councillors, from office for the period ending on the day on which – the Minister gives a direction under section 225(2); or an order under section 226 dismissing all the councillors or any councillor takes effect.