SCHEDULES

[F1(1A)A committee of the Commission known as “the Healthwatch England committee” is to be appointed in accordance with regulations.

(1B)The purpose of the Healthwatch England committee is to provide the Commission or other persons with advice, information or other assistance in accordance with provision made by or under this or any other Act.]

(2)In considering how to exercise its functions, the Commission must have regard to relevant advice and information given to it by the advisory committee (whether or not given at its request).

(3)The Commission may appoint such other committees and sub-committees as it thinks fit.

(4)The advisory committee and any committee or sub-committee appointed under sub-paragraph (3) may consist of or include persons who are not members of the Commission.

(5)The advisory committee must include persons of a prescribed description.

[F2(5A)Regulations under sub-paragraph (1A) must make provision requiring a person who has power to appoint a member of the Healthwatch England committee to secure that a majority of the members of the committee are not members of the Commission.

(5B)Regulations under sub-paragraph (1A) may specify other results which a person who has power to appoint a member of the committee must secure.

(5C)Regulations under sub-paragraph (1A) may, in particular, make provision as to—

(a)eligibility for appointment;

(b)procedures for selecting or proposing persons for appointment.

(5D)Regulations under sub-paragraph (1A) may, in particular, make provision as to—

(a)the removal or suspension of members of the committee;

(b)the payment of remuneration and allowances to members.]

(6)The Commission may pay such remuneration and allowances as it thinks fit to persons who—

(a)are members of its committees and sub-committees, but

(b)are not members of the Commission.

(7)The Commission may in all other respects regulate its own procedure.

(8)The validity of proceedings of the Commission is not affected—

(a)by any vacancy in its membership,

(b)by any defect in the appointment of a member, or

(c)by any person—

(i)acting as a member even though ineligible for appointment when purportedly appointed, or

(ii)acting as a member after having ceased to be a member.