(1)  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–

(a) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(b) the Minister is satisfied that a matter justifies its establishment.

(2)  The Minister is to notify a council, single authority or joint authority of–

(a) the establishment of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the council, single authority or joint authority; and

(b) the reason for the inquiry; and

(c) the subject matter of the inquiry.

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

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

(5)  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 –

(a) the Minister gives a direction under section 225(2) ; or

(b) an order under section 226 dismissing all the councillors or any councillor takes effect.