Museums and Galleries (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Membership

3.—(1) The Board shall consist of not fewer than 12 nor more than 15 persons (in this Schedule referred to as “trustees”) as the Head of the Department shall appoint after consultation with—

(a) such persons as appear to him to represent—

(i) district councils;

(ii) persons engaged in providing education;

(iii) persons engaged in promoting the awareness, appreciation and understanding by the public of the heritage of Northern Ireland;

(b) such other persons as the Head of the Department shall think fit.

(2) In the period of 12 months from the making of this Order, sub-paragraph (1) shall have effect with the omission of the words from “after consultation with” to the end.

(3) The Head of the Department shall appoint one of the trustees to be chairman who, in the case of an equality of votes, shall have a second or casting vote.

(4) The trustees may elect one of their number as vice-chairman.

4.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a trustee shall hold and vacate his office in accordance with the terms of his appointment but no trustee shall be appointed for a period of more than 5 years.

(2) A trustee shall be deemed to have vacated his office and the Board shall declare his place vacant in the following circumstances—

(a) where he gives to the Head of the Department a notice in writing of his resignation;

(b) where he becomes bankrupt or makes a composition with his creditors;

(c) where in the opinion of the Head of the Department he has failed to comply with the terms of his appointment or is otherwise unable or unfit to discharge his functions and the Head of the Department so informs the Board in writing;

(d) where he is convicted of an indictable offence and is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 3 months; or

(e) where he fails, without leave of the Board, to attend any meetings of the Board, or of a committee thereof of which he is a member, for a period of 6 consecutive months.

(3) A person who ceases to be a trustee shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(4) The Board may pay to its chairman such salary as the Department may determine.

(5) The Board may pay travelling and subsistence allowances and other expenses necessarily incurred by trustees and members of committees and sub-committees of the Board in the performance of their functions and such allowances and expenses shall be paid at such rates as the Department may determine.