152.—(1) Every F240[chief executive] has the right—

(a) to attend and speak at meetings of a local authority for which he or she is F240[chief executive], and

(b) to take part in its discussions,

but shall not be entitled to vote on any question which is decided by a vote of the members of such local authority.

(2) In so far as it is not inconsistent with the due performance of functions by a F240[chief executive] in relation to the local authorities for which he or she is F240[chief executive], a manager shall attend—

(a) any meeting of a local authority for which he or she is F240[chief executive] where he or she is requested by the elected council of that local authority to attend, and

(b) any meeting of a committee of a local authority where he or she is requested by the elected council of that local authority to attend.

(3) Whenever a F240[chief executive] attends a meeting of a local authority or of a committee of the local authority in accordance with subsection (2)—

(a) he or she shall give to the elected council of such local authority or committee (as the case may be) such advice and assistance as shall reasonably be required of him or her by the council or committee (and the members of the council or committee shall have regard to that advice or assistance), and

(b) he or she shall arrange for the attendance at such meeting of such of the employees of the local authorities for which he or she is F240[chief executive] as may be appropriate having regard to the business to be transacted at that meeting.

F241[(3A) This section applies to the chief executive of a local authority in respect of meetings of a municipal district of the local authority in the same manner as it applies to meetings of that authority.]

(4) Without prejudice to section 154, in this section F240[chief executive] includes an employee to whom the functions of the F240[chief executive] stand delegated in accordance with that section in respect of the local authority in question.