A relevant authority may, on a written request made to the proper officer of the authority by a member or co-opted member of the authority, grant a dispensation relieving the member or co-opted member from either or both of the restrictions in section 31(4) in cases described in the dispensation.
A relevant authority may grant a dispensation under this section only if, after having had regard to all relevant circumstances, the authority—
considers that without the dispensation the number of persons prohibited by section 31(4) from participating in any particular business would be so great a proportion of the body transacting the business as to impede the transaction of the business,
considers that without the dispensation the representation of different political groups on the body transacting any particular business would be so upset as to alter the likely outcome of any vote relating to the business,
considers that granting the dispensation is in the interests of persons living in the authority's area,
if it is an authority to which Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000 applies and is operating executive arrangements, considers that without the dispensation each member of the authority's executive would be prohibited by section 31(4) from participating in any particular business to be transacted by the authority's executive, or
considers that it is otherwise appropriate to grant a dispensation.
A dispensation under this section must specify the period for which it has effect, and the period specified may not exceed four years.
Section 31(4) does not apply in relation to anything done for the purpose of deciding whether to grant a dispensation under this section.