(introduced by section 141(2))
1(1)The Panel consists of five members appointed by the Welsh Ministers.
(2)The Welsh Ministers must appoint one of the members as Chairperson.
(3)The members of the Panel must elect one of their number as Vice-chairperson.
(4)The following are disqualified from being a member of the Panel—
(a)a member of the National Assembly for Wales;
(b)a member of the House of Commons;
(c)a member of the House of Lords;
(d)a member of the European Parliament;
(e)a member of a local authority or a community council;
(f)a person who is disqualified from being a member of a local authority or community council.
(5)Paragraph 1(4)(f) does not apply to a person who is disqualified merely as a result of section 80(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 (employees of council, office-holders, etc.).
2(1)Members of the Panel hold and must vacate office in accordance with the terms of their appointment, those terms being such as the Welsh Ministers decide.
(2)A person may not be appointed as a member of the Panel for a period exceeding four years.
(3)But a person who ceases to be a member of the Panel is eligible for re-appointment.
(4)A person appointed to fill a casual vacancy in the membership of the Panel serves as a member until the date on which the period of membership of the person whose place has been filled would have expired.
(5)A member of the Panel holding office as Chairperson or Vice-chairperson does so until the period of that person’s membership expires.
3(1)The Panel must meet at least once every calendar year.
(2)The quorum of the Panel is three and must include the Chairperson or the Vice-chairperson.
(3)The Chairperson (or, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-chairperson) presides at meetings of the Panel.
(4)The members of the Panel may (subject to provision made by or by virtue of Part 8) regulate the Panel’s procedures.
(5)A question for decision by the Panel must be decided at a meeting of members of the Panel by a majority of the votes cast by those members present at the meeting.
(6)If there is an equality of votes on a question for decision, the person presiding at the meeting has a second or casting vote.
4The Panel may, in connection with the performance of its functions, seek information or advice.
5(1)The Welsh Ministers must pay expenses incurred by the Panel (either collectively or by members individually) in carrying out functions of the Panel (or of members of the Panel in their capacity as such).
(2)The Welsh Ministers may pay allowances to members of the Panel.
(3)The Welsh Ministers must make administrative support available to the Panel.