11.—(1) The joint central committee must, with the Scottish Ministers’ approval, determine the total number of—
(a)area committees to be established; and
(b)members to be elected to each area committee.
(2) The members of each area committee must—
(a)be elected in accordance with any rules made under regulation 6; and
(b)consist of an equal number of representatives of each of the following ranks—
(i)inspector;
(ii)sergeant; and
(iii)constable; and
(c)have equal voting rights (where applicable) during its proceedings.
12.—(1) Each area committee may hold four ordinary meetings in each calendar year, each meeting lasting not more than one day.
(2) An area committee’s members may meet separately, according to their rank, for the purpose of discussing matters of specific interest to constables holding the rank of inspector, sergeant and constable, respectively.
(3) A meeting mentioned in paragraph (2) may be held only—
(a)if it takes place during the time allowed for an ordinary meeting of the area committee; or
(b)with the chief constable’s consent.
(4) Each area committee must act in accordance with any rules made under regulation 6 which regulate, or relate to, its functions and proceedings.
13.—(1) An area committee may, with the chief constable’s consent, establish such sub-committees of its members as it considers expedient.
(2) An area sub-committee may, with the chief constable’s consent, hold such number of meetings as it considers necessary.
(3) An area sub-committee must act in accordance with any rules made under regulation 6 which regulate, or relate to, its functions and proceedings.