127 14.13 Functions of local authorities (1) Subject to this Constitution and any Act of Parliament, a local authority has the right to govern, on its own initiative, the local affairs of the people within the area for which it has been established, and has all the powers necessary for it to do so. (2) An Act of Parliament may confer functions on local authorities, including— (a) a power to make by-laws, regulations or rules for the effective administration of the areas for which they have been established; (b) a power to levy rates and taxes and generally to raise sufficient revenue for them to carry out their objects and responsibilities. 14.14 Elections to local authorities (1) Elections of councillors of local authorities must be held— (a) in the case of a general election of mayors and councillors, concurrently with a general election of Members of Parliament and President; (b) in the case of an election, other than a general election, to fill one or more casual vacancies, as soon as practicable after the vacancies have occurred. (2) Elections of mayors and chairpersons of local authorities, other than mayors or chairpersons on whom executive powers have been conferred under section 14.11(4), must be held at the first sitting of the councils concerned following a general election. (3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) or an Act of Parliament, mayors, chairpersons and councillors of local authorities assume office on the day the President assumes office upon being sworn in after a general election. 14.15 Tenure of seats of members of local authorities (1) The seat of a mayor, chairperson or councillor of a local authority becomes vacant in the circumstances set out in 6.14, as if he or she were a member of Parliament, any reference to the Speaker or President of the Senate in section 6.14(1)(k) being construed as a reference to the Minister responsible for local government. (2) An Act of Parliament may provide for the removal from office of mayors, chairpersons and councillors, but any such removal must be by resolution, passed by at least two-thirds of the total membership of the council concerned, calling for the person’s removal on the ground of— (a) inability to perform the functions of his or her office due to mental or physical incapacity; (b) gross incompetence; (c) gross misconduct; (d) conviction of an offence involving dishonesty, corruption or abuse of office; or (e) wilful violation of the law, including a local authority by-law. (3) A mayor, chairperson or councillor of a local authority does not vacate his or her seat except in accordance with this subsection.