THE COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETYCONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL

1.—(1) The Council shall consist of—

(a)7 registered persons; and

(b)7 lay members.

(2) The members of the Council shall be appointed by the Department.

(3) The term of office of members of the Council shall be 4 years or such other period as may be determined by the Department at the time the appointments are made.

(4) No member of the Council is to hold office for more than an aggregate of 8 years in any 20 year period.

(5) The Council shall pay to its members such remuneration and allowances as the Department may determine.

2.—(1) Without prejudice to sub-paragraph (4), the Council may appoint one or more committees and sub-committees and delegate to such committees and sub-committees such of its functions as it thinks fit.

(2) A committee or sub-committee appointed under sub-paragraph (1) may include persons who are not members of the Society.

(3) Every member of a committee or sub-committee appointed under sub-paragraph (1), who, at the time of appointment, was a member of the Council shall, if that person ceases to be a member of the Council, also ceases to be a member of the committee or sub-committee.

(4) The Council shall have a Scrutiny Committee and it shall have the functions assigned to it by or under this Order.

(5) The Council may by regulations make provision as to—

(a)the constitution, appointment and procedure of the Scrutiny Committee (including the validation of proceedings in the event of vacancies or defects in appointment);

(b)the grounds on which persons are to be disqualified from appointment as members of the Scrutiny Committee; and

(c)the tenure of office of members of the Scrutiny Committee (including the circumstances in which they cease to hold office or may be removed or suspended from office).

(6) There shall be paid to the members of the Scrutiny Committee and any committee or sub-committee appointed under paragraph (1) such remuneration and such travelling, subsistence or other expenses as the Council may determine.

3.  The Department may by regulations make provision as to—

(a)the grounds on which persons are to be disqualified from appointment as members of the Council;

(b)the appointment of a President and a Vice-President of the Council and the President’s and Vice-President’s term of office, and the regulations may provide that the term is to be determined by whoever makes the appointment of the President and Vice-President, on appointment;

(c)deputising arrangements in respect of the President and Vice-President;

(d)the quorum of the Council;

(e)the circumstances in which members cease to hold office or may be removed or suspended from office; and

(f)the procedure of the Council (including the validation of proceedings in the event of vacancies or defects in appointment).”