Can a Parish Council vice chairman chair meetings before a new chairman is elected?

Question

Our parish council chairman recently resigned.  Before a public meeting was arranged to elect a new chairman, the vice chairman arranged an 'in camera' meeting of the council at which important desions were made about the future of the council, most of which should have been made at public meetings.  

Surely, a public meeting to elect a new chairman should have been held before the 'in camera' meeting was held?  

Was the vice chairman's action in holding the 'in camera' meeting appropriate or lawful?

Answer 1

Such a meeting was against the rules irrespective of the resignation of the Chair.